2023-25 State Biennium Budget Proposals

Strategy, Management, and Budget staff evaluate Washington state budget proposals as they are released from the governor, House, and Senate to identify potential fiscal outcomes for WWU.

All three proposals for the 2023-25 biennium included a high level of support for Western, which is summarized below. Additional details are available in a printable version of the analysis [Budget Proposal Comparison Summary - Governor, Senate& House].

If you need the detailed analysis in an alternative format, please reach out to smb@wwu.edu.

This is an overview of the proposed budgets from the Governor, Senate, and House. Neither of these proposals represent the final adopted version of WWU's budget.

	Governor's Budget	Senate Budget	House Budget
Tuition Increase	Per RCW 28B.15.067 (Section 2) tuition increases for resident undergraduates are capped at approximately 2.4% annually. Per RCW 28B.15.069 (Section 2) S&A and Capital Building fees are decoupled from tuition increases, but may not exceed 4% per year.	Per RCW 28B.15.067 (Section 2) tuition increases for resident undergraduates are capped at approximately 2.4% annually. Per RCW 28B.15.069 (Section 2) S&A and Capital Building fees are decoupled from tuition increases, but may not exceed 4% per year.	Per RCW 28B.15.067 (Section 2) tuition increases for resident undergraduates are capped at approximately 2.4% annually. Per RCW 28B.15.069 (Section 2) S&A and Capital Building fees are decoupled from tuition increases, but may not exceed 4% per year.
Tuition Authority	No change from College Affordability Act of 2015	No change from College Affordability Act of 2015	No change from College Affordability Act of 2015
Appropriation & New Funding	Total $236.09M ($116.11M yr. 1 - $119.98M yr. 2) New funding is a combination of state General Fund (GF-S), Workforce Education Investment Account (WEIA), and Climate Commitment Account (CCA) $2,798,000 ($1,377,000 annual recurring) in partial funding of WWU’s First Year Student Retention request (expand remedial math and English 101 courses, first year student seminars, and the hiring of two disability accommodations counselors) (WEIA) $1,318,000 for WWU’s Community Safety and Resilience request, which includes video security equipment, a new public safety records management system, emergency preparedness and management resources, mental health first-aid training for faculty, and community economic recovery investment. (WEIA) $3,386,000 ($1,693,000 annual) for Critical IT Infrastructure, including networking equipment replacement and software services (GF-S) $1,498,000 ($749,000 annual) to establish a Master’s program in Clean Energy and Climate Solutions, proposed in WWU’s Expanding Environment/STEM Programs request (CCA) $4,726,000 for Western on the Peninsulas expansion to establish new two-for-two undergraduate programs in engineering, data science and sociology (with a Master’s in Social Work program) (WEIA) $3,614,000 ($1,807,000 annual) to restore state general fund support for Preventative Maintenance of WWU’s capital facilities (GF-S) $157,000 ($80,000 annual recurring) for inflation on goods and services procured by Facilities Management (GF-S) $599,000 in FY25 for maintenance and operations of new state-supported facilities (Electrical Engineering/Computer Science Building, and Coast Salish Longhouse) (GF-S) $3,444,000 in CAP Tuition Backfill funding in accordance with the College Affordability Act (GF-S) $208,000 in FY25 to inventory and assess camp facilities that could be used to provide additional capacity for Washington state outdoor learning and outdoor education programs as described in RCW 28A.300.790 (GF-S)	Total $236.62M ($115.5M yr. 1 - $121.1M yr. 2) New funding is a combination of state General Fund (GF-S) and Workforce Education Investment Account (WEIA) $1,577,000 ($776,000 annual recurring) in partial funding of WWU’s First Year Student Retention request (expand remedial math and English 101 courses, first year student seminars, and the hiring of two disability accommodations counselors) (WEIA) $3,000,000 in the biennium ($0 ongoing) towards Critical IT Infrastructure, for networking equipment replacement (GF-S) $6,496,000 in full funding of the Western on the Peninsulas expansion proposal (WEIA) $3,614,000 in the biennium ($0 ongoing) to restore state general fund support for Preventative Maintenance of WWU’s capital facilities (GF-S) $517,000 in FY25 for maintenance and operations of new state-supported facilities (Electrical Engineering/Computer Science Building, and Coast Salish Longhouse) (GF-S) $3,444,000 in CAP Tuition Backfill funding in accordance with the College Affordability Act (GF-S) $10,000 in FY24 is provided (pending passage of SSB 5238) for implementation of Academic employee bargaining legislation, which expands collective bargaining rights to certain student employees.	Total $237.81M ($116.1M yr. 1 - $121.7M yr. 2) New funding is a combination of state General Fund (GF-S) and Workforce Education Investment Account (WEIA) $2,799,000 ($1,378,000 annual recurring) in partial funding of WWU’s First Year Student Retention request (expand remedial math and English 101 courses, first year student seminars, and the hiring of two disability accommodations counselors) (WEIA) $3,000,000 ($1,500,000 annual recurring) towards Critical IT Infrastructure, for networking equipment replacement (GF-S) $4,694,000 funding for the Western on the Peninsulas expansion proposal, specifically for new 2+2 undergraduate degree programs such as engineering, data science and sociology, plus establish a Master's in Social Work program (WEIA) $517,000 in FY25 for maintenance and operations of new state-supported facilities (Electrical Engineering/Computer Science Building, and Coast Salish Longhouse) (GF-S) $3,444,000 in CAP Tuition Backfill funding in accordance with the College Affordability Act (GF-S) $250,000 in annual funding provided (pending passage of SSB 5238) for implementation of Academic employee bargaining legislation, which expands collective bargaining rights to certain student employees. $250,000 for WWU’s Community Safety and Resilience request ($125,000 annual ongoing) for mental health first-aid training for faculty and community economic recovery investment. (WEIA) $2,478,000 is included to expand dual language educator programs in Renton and Everett ($1,206,000 annual ongoing) (WEIA) $500,000 in one-time biennial funding for Student Civic Leaders Initiative, similar to funds provided in the 2019-21 biennium (WEIA) $156,000 ($78,000 annual ongoing) is provided solely for implementation of SSHB No. 1559 (postsecondary student needs), pending passage of bill (WEIA) $23,000 in one-time funding in FY24 provided solely for implementation of SSHB 1028 (crime victims and witnesses), pending passage of bill (GF-S) $100,000 per year in one-time funds are provided solely for planning student studios to assist cities and counties with planning projects. Assistance shall focus on students and supporting faculty to facilitate on-site learning with cities and counties (GF-S)
Restrictions	Continuation of prior budget funding of $3.426M provided solely to maintain access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees. Funds appropriated shall not support intercollegiate athletics programs.	Continuation of prior budget funding of $3.426M provided solely to maintain access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees. Funds appropriated shall not support intercollegiate athletics programs.	Continuation of prior budget funding of $3.426M provided solely to maintain access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees. Funds appropriated shall not support intercollegiate athletics programs.
Compensation Related	The state intends to support 66% of the cost of implementing 4% general wage increases in FY24 and 3% general wage increases in FY25 for non-represented staff and faculty This represents an improvement on the fund split increase in the 2022 Supplemental budget from 49% to 63%, in recognition that WWU’s tuition revenues have decreased from enrollment losses. Note: WWU Office of Strategy, Management and Budget have identified that the Governor’s proposed budget does not provide sufficient funding to implement 4% and 3% general wage increases. We have raised this issue with the Office of Financial Management for correction in the final enacted Governor's 2023-25 budget. Funding at 66% to implement wage increases as negotiated through collective bargaining agreements with PSE, WFSE, and FOP.	The Senate budget achieves supporting 66% of the cost of implementing 4% general wage increases in FY24 and 3% general wage increases in FY25 for non-represented staff and faculty. This is achieved with the Fund Split Support funding of $3,607,000 (WEIA) This represents an improvement on the fund split increase in the 2022 Supplemental budget from 49% to 63%, in recognition that WWU’s tuition revenues have decreased from enrollment losses. Funding at 66% to implement wage increases as negotiated through collective bargaining agreements with PSE, WFSE, and FOP.	The House budget achieves supporting 70% of the cost of implementing 4% general wage increases in FY24 and 3% general wage increases in FY25 for non-represented staff and faculty. This is achieved with the Fund Split Support funding of $4,454,000 (GF-S) This represents an improvement on the fund split increase in the 2022 Supplemental budget from 49% to 63%, in recognition that WWU’s tuition revenues have decreased from enrollment losses. Funding at 70% to implement wage increases as negotiated through collective bargaining agreements with PSE, WFSE, and FOP.
Health Insurance (per employee)	New funding of $1,049,000 over biennium to cover increase in health insurance rates from $1,130/month to $1,233/month (note that this obligates approx. $1.09M in WWU’s tuition revenues for the University’s portion of the rate increase) $1,160/month – yr. 1 $1,233/month – yr. 2	New funding of $591,000 over biennium to cover increase in health insurance rates from $1,130/month to $1,191/month (note that this obligates approx. $518K in WWU’s tuition revenues for the University’s portion of the rate increase) $1,145/month – yr. 1 $1,191/month – yr. 2	New funding of $367,000 over biennium to cover increase in health insurance rates from $1,130/month to $1,184/month (note that this obligates approx. $755K in WWU’s tuition revenues for the University’s portion of the rate increase) $1,130/month – yr. 1 $1,184/month – yr. 2
Performance	Must continue to demonstrate progress in computer science and engineering through reporting to ERDC Reporting requirements - every September 1 must report (but not limited to): Cost per student Student completion rates Number of low-income students enrolled in each program Process changes or best practices implemented each year Number of students enrolled above the prior academic year For Outdoor Learning Study, must submit a report to the office of the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than September 1, 2024.	Must continue to demonstrate progress in computer science and engineering through reporting to ERDC Reporting requirements – every September 1 must report (but not limited to): Cost per student Student completion rates Number of low-income students enrolled in each program Process changes or best practices implemented each year Number of students enrolled above the prior academic year	Must continue to demonstrate progress in computer science and engineering through reporting to ERDC Reporting requirements – every September 1 must report (but not limited to): Cost per student Student completion rates Number of low-income students enrolled in each program Process changes or best practices implemented each year Number of students enrolled above the prior academic year