Presidential Update: Latest Changes — Week of September 1

Dear Colleagues,

The energy across our campuses is palpable as we launch into the fall semester, and what a start it’s been. During Saturday’s game, Cougar Football and the WSU Marching Band delivered a powerful opening performance, reminding us of the pride and spirit that define our university.

As we continue to build momentum, we remain focused on amplifying Washington State University’s national presence through our research enterprise, our community partnerships, and the excellence of our academic and athletic programs.

This Week

• Enhancing the football weekend experience
  This fall, WSU Athletics is making improvements to create a more dynamic and welcoming gameday experience for students, families, and fans attending Cougar football games. Changes implemented this year include on‑campus camping during the first game of the season, themed weekends, expanded downtown events, upgraded tailgating options, and interactive pre‑game activities.

These efforts are designed not only to strengthen engagement across our fanbase but also to generate critical revenue that supports our athletic programs. With the landscape of intercollegiate athletics continuing to shift beneath our feet, this work is essential to ensuring we’re able to lead with purpose and resilience.

I hope you found time over the long weekend to rest and reconnect. Thank you for your attention and engagement as we continue to carve our own path forward. For additional information on how we’re continuing to improve our internal processes, visit our New Chapter website.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth R. Cantwell
President, Washington State University