Governor budget proposal funds top WSU priorities

The governor’s supplemental operating budget proposal released this afternoon would fund WSU legislative priorities to enhance employee compensation, develop two new academic programs in cybersecurity, and build a psychiatric pharmacy residency program.

The governor’s budget provided $7.3 million for compensation enhancements. After a 3.25 percent 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 operating budget proposal provides the requested $4.448 million in annual funding for WSU to establish two undergraduate programs in cybersecurity at the Pullman, Tri-Cities and Everett campuses to strengthen the state’s cybersecurity workforce. WSU is hoping to establish a new Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity Operations through the Voiland College of Engineering and a new major in Information Assurance within the Carson College of Business’ Business Administration degree program.

The governor’s budget also fully funds WSU’s ask for $341,000 to develop a one-year psychiatric pharmacy residency program. It would enroll two residents per year and fund a faculty adviser, all of whom would be providing care in a clinical setting in Eastern Washington. The program is being developed in tandem with the University of Washington.

The proposal also includes $500,000 in the operating budget 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. This work has been a particular strength of WSU’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, where at least 40 percent of the student body is made up of students of color.

What’s more, the governor’s supplemental capital budget proposal provides $8 million to allow the Holland and Owen libraries to install high-density compact shelving, consolidating space to allow for the university to create new student support space in a future renovation.

The release of the operating and capital budget comes after the governor rolled out proposed investments earlier in the week to address climate change, salmon recovery, and homelessness. Other notable investments made in the governor’s proposed budget include support for poverty reduction and foster youth . You can view details of the budget here.

The state House and Senate will convene for its 60-day 2022 legislative session on Jan. 10 to begin writing their budget proposals in time to negotiate an agreement to send to the governor in March.