WSU Everett response

Fall 2017

Colleagues,

I am following up on WSU President Kirk Schulz’ letter earlier this week outlining his plan to tackle our university’s financial challenges.

In the coming weeks, we will restructure spending in Everett with the goal of bringing our expenses in line with our revenue. We will have to say no to some things in order to focus attention and resources on things central to our core business. This is in line with our strategic plan goal to strengthen our organizational capacity and long-term sustainability. Please know that we will prioritize our students, faculty and staff and the services that support our success.

From a positive standpoint, we are a new campus in the midst of tremendous growth. We have tripled our enrollment in a few short years and I am optimistic that this growth trajectory will continue. Going forward, however, we must balance investments that spur growth with a need to slow our rate of spending. The best way we can all support WSU Everett in this endeavor is to consider the following cost-saving ideas:

• Leverage partnerships that can save time and money.
• Reduce or defer travel, overtime and any non-essential expenses.
• Collaborate and consolidate efforts to reduce duplication and gain efficiencies.
• Delay, if possible, filling vacant positions.
• Slow our overall spending.

I want to thank all of you for your hard work and dedication. We are a small staff and many of us wear multiple professional hats. I appreciate your commitment and want to reassure you that my top priorities are our students, our faculty and staff.

Any questions or concerns please let me know.

Best regards,

Chancellor Paul Pitre
WSU Everett