Office of the PresidentPresident Cantwell’s MessagesLetter to WSU CommunityWeekly UpdatePresidential Update: Latest Changes — Week of November 17

Presidential Update: Latest Changes — Week of November 17

As we head into this season of giving thanks, I want to express my gratitude for the incredible work underway and the momentum building across the Washington State University system.

  • AI-Fluent University
    As reported at the Board of Regents meeting, WSU researchers have secured more than $72 million in external funding and produced 1,100+ publications in artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and robotics, advancing real-world solutions in agriculture, public health, wearable devices, cybersecurity and automation.
  • System‑wide redesign update
    This week I’m celebrating the energy and dedication of Co‑Design Council members who are amplifying voices from across our system and communities. Thanks to their efforts, we’ve heard from more than 75 individuals so far, and 901 survey responses are shaping the path ahead. That’s meaningful, mission-driven engagement in action. Additionally, Board of Regents Chair Jenette Ramos recorded a video encouraging community members and business owners to take the survey.
  • Important Update on Tuition for FY26
    The Board of Regents has approved the tuition rate for fiscal year 2026. We are increasing tuition by 3.3% which is below the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI) set at 3.7%. It’s important to note that the published tuition rate is not what most of our students actually pay after financial aid, grants and scholarships:
    • One in three Cougs pays no tuition at all after financial aid.
    • More than half of our graduates (56 %) leave WSU with no student debt.
    • Even as the cost of living has risen nationwide, WSU is making steady progress. Since 2014, we’ve seen a 5‑percentage-point increase in students paying no tuition after aid and a 17‑percentage-point increase in graduates finishing debt-free.

These numbers reflect our commitment to access, affordability, and student success across all communities in Washington.

Enjoy the holiday ahead and thank you for continuing to shape the future of WSU with such heart and purpose.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Cantwell
President, Washington State University

Note: I am currently reading The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad and also re‑reading 1984, by George Orwell.