March 25, 2009 -- Budget Update

Colleagues,

First, I want to thank all on this campus whose hard work over past months culminated in very thoughtful, open, and constructive budget proposals.  I, once again, felt very proud to be a part of this university.  I hope your feelings are similar.

While we are taking care of our responsibilities, those responsible for developing the state’s budget have been hard at work.  We expect that the Senate and House will announce their budgets at the end of this week or the beginning of next week.

We have no inside information.  And, for months, each day has brought a different rumor.  But, the conversations the last few days that we have all been having --faculty, staff, unions, university leadership -- are coalescing. 

Coincidentally, today I am speaking to the Rotary Club of Seattle.  They asked me to address the question of societal transformations and their consequences at Western -- all in 12 minutes. 

I have decided, though, to add another topic: expectations about the damaging cuts we anticipate the legislature to announce this week.  And, I want to make sure you have that information as well even though it remains speculative at this point.

Please understand: the picture is ugly and I pulled no punches in painting it for this large group of influential leaders.  The remarks can be found at: http://www.wwu.edu/president/addresses/SeattleRotary.shtml 

We all, together, continue to work to change this situation and, I think, there remain opportunities to do so.  And this, do count on: what we know (even when it is speculative), you will know too.

Thanks for all you do,

Bruce