PULLMAN, Wash. — Members of the Washington State University Board of Regents voted to establish a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology degree as well as a Master of Science in Kinesiology degree during their virtual meeting May 8.
The new Viticulture and Enology degree program replaces the existing major offered under the Bachelor of Science in Integrated Plant Sciences degree. The new degree will be administered by the WSU Tri-Cities campus. The existing major program will be discontinued on the Pullman campus.
Wine industry experts believe establishing the new degree program will give WSU students the opportunity to better compete against students from other schools with similar programs.
The new research-based graduate program in Kinesiology “will bolster our undergraduate student interest in research, support faculty research productivity, improve the chances for faculty attempts to acquire external funding, enhance the College of Education’s research productivity, and provide didactic opportunities for students in related programs at WSU,” according to the proposal approved unanimously by regents.
Regents also approved a revised athletics budget in light of projected declines in revenue and expenses due to COVID-19. The 2021-2023 biennial capital budget request, which includes an appeal to the state legislature for $52 million to support the establishment of the WSU Vancouver Life Sciences Building, was approved by regents. Approval of the 2021-2023 biennial operating budget request was deferred until the board’s retreat in June.
Among committee reports from students, faculty and staff leaders, Lisa Calvert, vice president for advancement and CEO of the WSU Foundation, gave regents good news considering fundraising so far in 2020. While many universities are reporting a decline in fundraising compared to last year, the WSU Foundation is up 12 percent compared to this time last year, with $103 million raised compared to $92 million this time last year. Cash and new activity is also higher this year compared to the same time last year.
President Kirk Schulz also gave a presentation that began with thanking all members of the Coug community for their tenacity and resilience in the face of these unprecedented times.
“This summer, all of us, including faculty leadership, graduate and undergraduate student leadership, deans, and vice presidents will be focused on our goal to resume in-person operations for the fall semester,” Schulz said. “This will consume a majority of our time this summer, as we make sure that we have a plan in place to enact best practices. “
Schulz also spoke about the appointment of Elizabeth Chilton as WSU’s next provost and work to adopt a majority of recommendations put together by a group looking at ways to optimize system-level roles and responsibilities.
The Board of Regents is next scheduled to meet during its retreat June 4-5.
Media contact
Phil Weiler, vice president, University Marketing & Communications, 509-335-4742, phil.weiler@wsu.edu
