Release Date: 4/27/2007
Contact(s): Sherry Burkey, (360) 739-0350 Sherry.Burkey@wwu.edu
BELLINGHAM – The new operating and capital budgets passed by the Legislature provide funding for a number of key priorities for Western Washington University – including a new advanced materials science center, an expanded neuroscience program and planning and development for the university’s waterfront campus – as well as capital improvements and maintenance.
“We are very pleased and grateful that the Legislature has supported many of our priorities, which will enhance the educational mission of Western,” said WWU President Karen W. Morse. “We worked very closely with the Legislature, with the result that the operating and capital budgets provide critical support to Western and will help the University respond to statewide needs outlined by the Governor, Legislature and business leaders.”
The operating and capital budgets passed by the Legislature go to Gov. Chris Gregoire for her signature.
2007-09 Operating Budget
Western has been allocated $148.5 million in state operating funds overall for the 2007-09 biennium, which is a nearly 20 percent increase over the current biennium.
Morse said that the 2007-09 state operating budget includes a number of notable Western funding requests, including $1 million to facilitate Western’s continuing waterfront planning and development efforts with the City of Bellingham and the Port of Bellingham; $1.2 million for the Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Center (AMSEC) and $1.1 million for the Biomedical Research Activities in Neuroscience (BRAIN) program.
“We appreciate that the Legislature recognized the importance of this funding to Western and the state,” said Kevin Raymond, chair of Western’s Board of Trustees. “The operating and capital budgets will provide funding for a number of initiatives important to the education of students at Western and to the economic development of the region. We would like to thank the University’s many supporters during this process.”
In addition, new funding was included for expanded enrollments for a number of high-demand areas, including Cell and Molecular Biology; Early Childhood Education; Human Services; and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Combined with additional high-demand enrollment and new general enrollment, the budget funds an additional 446 enrollment slots at Western over the next biennium.
Western also is slated to receive additional funding to support retention and outreach efforts for low-income and first-generation students attending Western and for disability support services.
“The legislative investment in our research and teaching programs will provide a unique undergraduate experience for Western students, which will prepare them for employment in the high technology and biotechnology industries in the state and make them very competitive for doctorate-level research programs and graduate programs in medicine and dentistry,” said Sherry Burkey, WWU director of Government Relations.
The state operating budget also includes an on average 3.2 percent general salary increase in 2007-08 with an additional 2 percent general salary increase in 2008-09 for all Western employees (faculty, exempt staff and classified staff).
In the budget, tuition for resident undergraduate students at Western is capped at a maximum possible increase of 5 percent per year over the next two years.
2007-09 Capital Budget
At $47.6 million, Western secured the third largest capital budget in University history. This follows the 2005-07 capital budget, which was the largest in Western’s history.
“We are pleased and gratified that the Legislature has once again recognized Western’s need for both preservation and program-driven capital projects,” said George Pierce, Western’s vice president for Business and Financial Affairs. “The 2007-09 capital budget will enable continued strong stewardship of the state’s assets and provide for ongoing growth and change within University programs and facilities.”
Capital budget highlights include: