Regents approve resolution in support of WSU Athletics

Members of the Washington State University Board of Regents showed their support for Cougar Athletics during Friday's meeting on the Vancouver campus.

Regents voted 8-1 to direct a one-time $20 million investment in WSU Athletics from university operating funds for the 2027 fiscal year. The resolution was discussed at length by regents during the previous day's committee meetings.

"We have an amazing moment in FY27 to approach the new Pac-12 with a winning mindset, a winning team, a new team, and I think of this not as a cliff, but as a moment to invest and to bet on athletics," Board Chair Jenette Ramos said during committee discussion Thursday in advance of the Friday vote.

In a message to WSU faculty and staff, university President Betsy Cantwell said the investment reflects the board's recognition that a strong athletics program is one of the main drivers of student recruitment, retention, and institutional pride.

"(This resolution) strengthens WSU's visibility, affinity and reputation while fully supporting - and in no way detracting from - WSU's core academic and research mission," Cantwell wrote. "The $20 million in support will stabilize Athletics operations through FY27, providing critical time for WSU leadership and Cougar Athletics to expand revenue streams and accelerate fundraising efforts."

Cantwell's full statement about the resolution is available to read online.

New degree programs

Also during Friday's meeting, regents gave their unanimous support for two new Master's degree programs in fields where the university has expertise and sees opportunities for fulfilling the workforce needs of Washington.

The first is a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology program that will be offered on the Tri-Cities campus beginning this fall.

Sandra Haynes, chancellor of the WSU Tri-Cities campus, highlighted its location in the heart of wine country in Washington. The new degree program will ensure those interested in pursuing a career in the wine industry don't have to leave the state to obtain an advanced degree.

The WSU Tri-Cities campus already has the capacity, in personnel, equipment, and space, to facilitate this new program without additional investment. Asked about potential interest in the program, Haynes said the program could expect around 20 students in its first year.

The second new online degree program approved by regents is a new Master of Science in Sustainable Fuels offered by the WSU Global Campus. Haynes noted that the production of sustainable aviation fuels is expected to triple in the next two decades, requiring significant growth in the educated workforce needed for that growth. WSU has substantial expertise in the SAF industry, with faculty on the Tri-Cities and Pullman campuses collaborating to develop this new program.

The new Masters of Science in Sustainable Fuels is expected to have approximately 15 students in its inaugural class.

Regent Howard Wright praised the new offering during Thursday's committee meetings, saying that questions about how WSU will contribute to the development of sustainable fuels come up frequently in conversations with people on the west side of the state.

"I have to say that this is what makes me so proud to be a Coug," Wright said. "This is a big idea."

Other actions

Regents approved several other action items during Friday's meeting. These included setting academic year 2026-27 tuition rates for professional programs, as well as a number of fee rate changes across the university system. Revisions to the Standards of Conduct for Students were also approved.

As part of a special Board of Regents officer election, Regent Doug Picha was unanimously selected to serve as vice chair effective immediately. On Thursday, Regent Enrique Cerna, who had been serving as vice chair, announced his intention to step down from the board effective Friday.

Additionally, regents approved the first amendment to President Cantwell's employment agreement, stipulating that she will continue to live in the Ida Lou Anderson House on the Pullman campus through Dec. 31, 2026. The board and president will assess the location of her residence and then consider whether to maintain the status quo or allow for a housing allowance in lieu of current provided housing moving forward.

All of this week's public meetings of the WSU Board of Regents are available to watch in-full online. The WSU Board of Regent is next scheduled to meet virtually on May 7.