University grapples with projected funding cuts
CHENEY – Eastern Washington University Interim President David May is recommending several programs be eliminated going into the 2021-23 biennium.
The recommendations stem from a state Office of Financial Management projection of a decline of 15% in state funding in the next budget cycle.
The revenue drop comes from declining enrollment and the effects of the mandated coronavirus shutdowns mandated after the governor declared an emergency Feb. 29, 2020.
The current university operating budget for the 2019-21 biennium is approximately $564.7 million.
In a report released last week, May called for eliminating or “making inactive” bachelor degree programs for music/jazz, music/musical theater, journalism and supply chain/operations management; and master degrees in music/performance and music/jazz studies.
He’s also recommending merging the visual arts/secondary bachelor program with an existing elementary school-based program.
“These reductions have already been approved by the university’s internal processes and have been approved by the provost,” May wrote in his report.
In addition to ending those programs, May is recommending substantial changes in the bachelor and master degree programs for music in instrument, piano and vocal performance, music/composition and music/liberal arts.
Three other degree programs – bachelors in business management/education, and masters in history and music – would be relegated online education only, effectively cutting the costs to provide them.
Another master’s program, communication studies, would be “banked” – or put on hold, for now – under May’s recommendation.
Under the proposal, several other programs could be significantly altered, with faculty positions reduced.
Those programs include public health, outdoor recreation, recreation and tourism management, therapeutic recreation and more.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, columnist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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