In collaboration with the Associated Students of Washington State University, I recently convened a task force to explore the issue of rising costs of course materials, along with potential solutions and alternatives. The task force has submitted its final report to me, and I strongly endorse its recommendations.

Washington State University is committed to addressing the rising cost of higher education. Financial hardship is the number one reason students do not persist to earn their degrees. Unfortunately, increased tuition costs have coincided with higher costs for textbooks and other course materials. In fact, textbook costs have risen 1,000 percent—three times the cost of living—between … » More …

Dear University community,

As we come to the end of another academic year, I wish all Cougs a safe summer. Our students, faculty, staff, and visitors are the University’s chief and most precious assets. Concerns for your safety extend not only to when you are on campus, but also to your journey home and to other destinations as you participate in summer activities.

In late February, I personally recommitted to making safety one of our highest institutional priorities. We are working harder than ever to prevent accidents and incidents, integrate health and safety … » More …

President-elect Kirk H. Schulz and Dr. Noel Schulz’s tour of WSU’s five physical campuses gave our new first couple an opportunity to see the many parts of our great university. The two-day trip also displayed WSU as a cohesive system with campuses statewide that reflect the economic and human diversity of their communities.

Kirk and Noel were able to see what makes each of our campuses unique and responsive to community needs and what makes them an integral part of WSU’s system-wide priorities around students, academic excellence and research.  Their engaging and personable approach was lauded by attendees at each stop.

Standing room only crowds … » More …

Our greatest resources at Washington State University are the dedicated faculty and staff whose daily efforts help our students succeed. Our employees teach, lead research and perform any number of crucial tasks propelling our great institution forward.

Because of what you do for WSU, it is worthwhile to occasionally ask how well WSU is doing supporting you. While no workplace is perfect, WSU strives for an organizational culture of integrity, trust and respect. We want the work that you do to be reflective of your professional abilities and aspirations.

Next week, employees will have an opportunity to share their thoughts in our second biennial Employee … » More …

The students, faculty, staff, and visitors of Washington State University are the University’s chief and most precious assets. The University is committed to protecting their health and safety, as well as that of the environment. In a University safety culture, averting injury, danger, or loss is foremost on the minds of every member of the WSU community.

With this statement, I affirm my commitment to University safety. A University safety culture means many things, but surely it transcends compliance with regulations. It includes:

Proactive prevention of accidents and incidents
Integrating health and safety considerations in all phases of operations
Continual improvement of … » More …

As president of WSU, I have been grieving with the WSU community the loss of two students killed in separate automobile accidents over the Thanksgiving break. Eighteen-year-old Christine Hunter died in a two-car collision on U.S. Highway 195 on Friday, Nov. 20. Morgan Cope, 20, died Sunday, Nov. 22, in a collision on state Highway 26.

Both Morgan and Christine were freshmen, active in their sororities and excellent students. They loved their experience at WSU and were already members of the Cougar family.

As a parent myself, I can think of no greater pain than that associated with the death of a child. We, of … » More …

As the first frantic reports from Virginia Tech emerged through news media nearly a decade ago, the unfolding violence witnessed on that seemingly faraway campus appeared both tragic and unthinkable. But now, as we have all watched similar crises play out across our nation and around the globe, we at Washington State University, have long-since accepted the harsh reality that the potential for gun violence on our campuses was probably never nearly as distant nor as unthinkable as we might once have imagined.

Today, we must prepare for what once seemed unthinkable as though it were inevitable. Much of that planning focus has centered on … » More …

Year-end projects. Exams. Grant deadlines. Lesson plans and research articles.  The lives of Washington State University faculty, staff and students are busy, to be sure. But as our community nears Thanksgiving break, my hope is that individually and collectively we take some time to reflect on how lucky we truly are.

There is much to be thankful for. Together, the Cougar Nation has made remarkable progress on a number of major initiatives. We are on track and on time in establishing the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. We have celebrated completion of the $1 billion Campaign for Washington State University. We continue … » More …

I had the privilege earlier this month of helping The Science Coalition honor Washington State University alumna, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray with a “Champion of Science” award at the organization’s annual “Breakfast of Champions” in Washington D.C.

The award recognizes Congressional members who are vocal advocates for federal investment in research. Sen. Murray was honored as a Champion of Science in the class of 2014 as well, and continues to be one of the most vocal proponents of federal investment in basic research conducted at our nation’s colleges and universities. She and her fellow champions see federal research dollars as an investment in our nation’s … » More …

Dr. John Tomkowiak hit the ground running as he began to assume his duties as inaugural dean of the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine last week.

Tomkowiak accompanied Dr. Ken Roberts, acting dean of the College of Medicine, on part of a statewide tour for “self study” meetings with our health care provider partners in Spokane, Tri Cities, Vancouver and Everett. From all accounts, those conversations were enthusiastic and fruitful.

From the beginning, one of the differentiating features of the WSU medical school has been the community model on which it is being built. Unlike traditional schools of medicine, the WSU Elson S. … » More …