Funding requests to support new cybersecurity and pharmacy programs at Washington State University are fully supported in Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed 2022 supplemental budget.
If embraced by the legislature, WSU would receive about $4.44 million annually in state support to establish two new academic programs to help meet the state’s cybersecurity workforce needs for the future. WSU is hoping to establish a new Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity Operations through the Voiland College of Engineering. A new major in Information Assurance would also be added to available programs within Carson College of Business’ Business Administration degree program. Both programs would be offered at the Pullman, Tri-Cities and Everett campuses.
The budget also proposed to fund WSU’s request to develop a one-year psychiatric pharmacy residency program in tandem with the University of Washington. The spending plan would provide $341,000 in state support to enroll two residents per year and hire a faculty adviser. All would be placed in a clinical setting in Eastern Washington.
The governor’s proposal also would provide $7.3 million for compensation enhancements. After a 3.25% increase for classified staff is fully funded under the proposal, $5.1 million is left for compensation enhancements for faculty, exempt staff and graduate students.
The proposal also includes $500,000 annually for WSU to work with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Commissions on African American Affairs, Hispanic Affairs, Asian Pacific American Affairs and the Governor’s Office on Indian Affairs to provide guidance to students of color in grades 6 and up who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine.
The governor’s supplemental capital budget proposal includes $8 million for new high-density compact shelving within Holland and Owen libraries on the WSU Pullman campus. Installing this shelving allows the university to create new space in central locations that could be repurposed later for student success spaces.
Inslee announced the supplemental operating and capital budget proposals during a press conference Thursday. They’ll be followed by separate proposals from the state House and Senate before compromise plans are sent back to Inslee’s desk for approval in March.
WSU originally filed its supplemental budget request with the Office of Financial Management in September. The proposal was approved by members of the WSU Board of Regents in November.
