WSU to begin implementing austerity measures on April 1

Washington State University will pause hiring and some salary increases, freeze travel and training and making other budget cuts as it braces for reduced state and federal funding. 

Incoming President Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell and other university leaders announced a list of austerity measures going into effect in letter sent to all faculty and staff on March 26, according to a release. 

“We know that these tactics are not necessarily a long-term solution. What we had in the past is not necessarily our future,” the letter stated. “The landscape of higher education is evolving, and to thrive, we are going to have to shape our future together.” 

The following measures will go into effect April 1: 

• A strategic pause on non-essential faculty and staff hiring 
• A strategic pause on out-of-cycle salary increases for faculty and staff 
• A freeze on non-essential travel and training 
• More robust reviews of essential purchases and contracts 
• Renegotiating or ending non-essential contracts 
• Reducing food purchases and other discretionary spending 

It was not immediately clear how austerity measures could directly impact the WSU Tri-Cities campus in Richland.