Rising Costs and No Sense of Community on Campus. Students Offer Feedback to WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell at Recent Listening Session

At a series of “Listening Sessions,” President Elizabeth Cantwell has been asking questions to various audiences in order to gather analyzable data and information, working with different communities and organizations, and even taking meetings with corporations such as Boeing.

On March 4, one of these Listening Sessions included a group of WSUV students who were asked a series of questions. If you were unable to attend, you can submit your feedback using this link.

The first question was asking what WSU’s greatest opportunity is to provide better education to future students. Responses varied from lowering tuition, better parking rates and availability, hot food options on campus, limiting AI usage in the DTC program as well as the Art and Humanities majors, and more awareness about programs to help students, like childcare availability.

Next students were asked, due to rapid changes in society and higher education, what risks could put WSU off course. Responses were focused on rising costs and transparency in major decisions, as well as inconsistency on the website. 

The third question centered on “The Cougar Identity,” asking students what does the president need to understand about Cougs and what they represent. Responses noted a lack of communal feeling at WSUV unlike other campuses, and recommended providing amenities and services such as an actual cafeteria or housing.

Student responses also emphasized ensuring that WSUV remains accessible and sustainable for students, especially low-income students and those with children.

Afterward, students were asked what WSU should be known for as it pertains to research. Responses from students said WSU’s research should be known for improving lives, particularly in healthcare. Student responses also said funding for research should be stable, and that WSU should recognize that future funding cuts will affect students and marginalized communities in the future.

The final question asked students to name one thing which should define WSUV or the WSU system as a whole over the next decade. Students named strong stability in program costs and their future, transparency from leaders, and also ensuring that WSU prioritizes student needs first.

To close the Listening Session, Cantwell spoke about WSU’s origins as a land grant institution. She also discussed some of the challenges facing WSU today, including changes in the Department of Education, and citing news of Washington State’s potential cuts in the state budget. 

Recently, The Spokesman Review reported that Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson’s most recent budget proposal includes a 3% budget cut in state funding for WSU.

She closed with WSU’s struggles to get even 90% of students to complete their degree, while recognizing that completing a degree is often harder than it sounds.