WSU President Kirk Schulz praised the WSU Vancouver campus during a recent town hall with Provost Dan Bernardo, specifically mentioning record high enrollment with nearly 40 percent being first generation college students.
Provost Bernardo said, “WSU Vancouver has research achievements and received several notable research grants and awards. There is also progress in student success.”
WSU President Schulz said WSU as a system has made significant progress in restoring the fiscal health of the university’s budget. Last academic year, WSU Vancouver had a $30 million budget deficit.
“We are going to continue on with the 2.5 percent spending reduction this year” Schulz said. Currently, there is a $7 million deficit credited to the implementation of the 2.5 percent spending reduction.
Additionally, WSU has launched the “Drive to 25” an initiative that, according to Schulz, includes striving to be one of the top 25 public research universities in the nation. Currently, WSU is ranked at 52. According to the WSU website, WSU is predicted to be in the top 25 by the year 2030.
“The next step is to prioritize institutional investments, to lay foundation for significant increases in research and development expenditures” Schulz said.
Bernardo laid out the initiatives for the coming year and system-wide goals which included: “Restore our fiscal health, continue modernization and compliance initiative and create a more inclusive and welcoming campus environment.” Bernardo also said that him and Schulz plan to advance the strategic plan to include the drive to 25.
Bernardo discussed growing as an institution and bolstering efforts to increase student safety.
Toward the end of the event many people had questions for the guests. One question was with regards to dorms on the WSU Vancouver campus. Schulz said there are still several things the county has to accept before moving forward with dorms on the Vancouver campus.
Other audience members asked about what the university is doing in terms of job opportunities for graduate and doctoral students. Schulz said, “internships have to extend through every major,” adding that “other universities are too busy producing professors and not any other professional development programs.”
With the Drive to 25, WSU continues to strive for that top 25 research institution spot. See page 10 to for a glimpse at the 2018 WSU Vancouver Research Week.
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