May 25, 1995 - WSU Praises the Legislature-Approved Higher
Education Budget
Washington State University supports the Legislature's 1995-97
operating budget for higher education as contained in Engrossed
Substitute House Bill 1410 and urges Gov. Mike Lowry to sign it.
The bill was approved by the Legislature Wednesday night.
- It is a good compromise between the House and Senate Budget.
The budget provides $408.26 million for WSU. The original Senate
budget was $419.4 million. The House budget was $398.9 million.
The Governor's proposed budget for WSU was $396.2 million.
- Tuition increases were kept at a realistic level.
The Legislature's proposal for a 4 percent per year tuition
increase was one of the smallest tuition increase proposals seriously
considered this year. In addition, the Legislature adopted a
policy that monies from tuition increases will remain at the institution
and not be "off-set" in the general fund. That's
good public policy that ensures that tuition does help support
students' education and not other government programs. Tuition
for WSU students goes up this year $115 for resident undergraduates
to $3,023. To help offset tuition increases, another $13.2 million
has been provided statewide in financial aid as well as additional
financial aid to be distributed by each institution.
- The Legislature has made a crucial commitment to access
and fully funded new enrollments.
Forty-four percent of all four-year enrollments went to Washington
State University (900 of 2,058.) Enrollments are fully funded.
New Student Enrollments for the Biennium
Pullman 428 FTE
Spokane 50 FTE
Tri-Cities 166 FTE
Vancouver 256 FTE
- The salary and compensation proposal is welcome.
Most employees have not had a salary increase in nearly three
years. The Legislature voted to increase salaries 4 percent on
July 1. The salary increase is across-the-board for classified
staff and will be awarded to faculty through the University`s
merit system.
- Legislature was careful to balance general fund state money
with tuition increases.
For WSU, the Legislature provided $13.6 million in general fund
state compared the $15.6 million in tuition funds. Overall, the
Legislature provided more new monies for all of higher education
from the state general fund than dollars collected from the tuition
increase.
- The $1.6 million general fund enhancement is welcome.
WSU will hold hearings next week on possible funding areas such
as using more technology in the curriculum, time-to-degree, distance
learning, "virtual" education, general education/science
and literacy.
WSU is grateful to those legislators who worked so hard on the
higher education budget, particularly, Sen. Nita Rinehart, D-Seattle;
House Majority Leader Dale Foreman, R-Wenatchee, Sen. Valoria
Loveland, D-Pasco; Sen. Kathleen Drew, D-Issaquah; Sen. Gene
Prince, R-Thornton, Sen. Jeannette Wood, R-Woodway, Senate Higher
Education Chair Al Bauer, D-Vancouver; Rep. Larry Sheahan, R-Rosalia,
House Appropriations Chair Jean Silver, R-Spokane, and Rep. Mark
Schoesler, R-Ritzville.
