CHENEY, Wash. - The following message is from President Rodolfo Arévalo to the Eastern Washington University community in response to the Governor's budget proposal:

Dear Campus Community,

While Eastern continues to take positive steps forward with diminished resources, the realities of the financial crisis continue to plague the state of Washington's economy.

Under the 2011-13 budget recently proposed by the Governor, EWU would see another major reduction in the amount of state support, and students will be asked to pay higher tuition.

This reliance on tuition to fill the gap is a funding model which gives me great concern. However, I feel it is best to share what we know about the Governor's plan at this time so we can be prepared as we head into winter quarter.

In short, the Governor proposes the following from EWU:
• A reduction of $19.3 million dollars over the next two years. Combined with the last two-year budget cycle, this would be $57.3 million dollar cut to Eastern's budget
• A cap on all state funding to retirement plans
• Tuition increases of 9% in each of the next two years

Within our reduction, the Governor's budget proposal includes a 3% decrease in salary funding. We will be in discussion with WFSE regarding how this reduction impacts the contract and our employees.

These reductions mean we will have to make critical cuts in programs and activities provided to our students. We will see what the House and Senate recommend, but it is clear that it will not get better.

The Governor's plan does provide funding for some of our key capital projects, including Patterson Hall renovation and a new water system.

I understand this news is discouraging, as we are serving a record number of students with historically low financial support from the state. But I want to commend each of you for your outstanding efforts amidst a flurry of bad budget news over the last year. Again, the Governor's budget is just the first in a series of proposals to close our state's $5.7 billion budget gap through 2013. Between January and April, the House and Senate will each present their own budget plans based on their priorities, and there is potential for additional significant reductions.

The university invites the campus community to offer suggestions and take part in a series of budget forums as we continue our efforts to prioritize and make crucial decisions that will ensure our students succeed.

I encourage you to stay positive and focused during this time.

Sincerely,
Rodolfo Arévalo, PhD
President