Next week marks the first recognition of Juneteenth as an official state and federal holiday.

The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when news of the end of the Civil War finally reached Galveston, Texas, nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln.

We appreciate that our state leaders have codified this momentous day into law. Juneteenth has long represented a celebration of freedom. It stands as a day of strength, honoring the spirit of those men, women, and children who lived under the system of slavery in the United States.

Washington State University will be closed in honor of … » More …

June marks Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) Pride Month. Originally celebrated to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Greenwich Village, Pride Month has grown to be a recognition of the impact LGBTQI+ individuals have had and continue to have, on history at home, across the nation, and abroad.

At WSU, we honor and celebrate the tremendous contributions that LGBTQI+ community members make to our university every day. We are grateful for the system‑wide efforts of the President’s Commission on Gender and Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation (GIESO) and the Gender Identity/Expression and … » More …

Dear WSU Community,

As another semester comes to an end, I would like to celebrate the progress we have made over the last year. From resuming in‑person instruction and events to advancing OneWSU planning and installing our inaugural chancellor of the Pullman campus—a lot has changed for the university community.

In June 2020, leadership adopted the OneWSU initiative as part of the WSU System strategic plan to better meet the needs of our evolving system. The success we have experienced throughout this transition has reaffirmed its necessity. Since shifting operational leadership responsibilities for the Pullman campus to Chancellor Elizabeth Chilton, I have had more … » More …

Dear WSU Community,

After making employee compensation our top priority during the recent legislative session, I shared during the State of the University that the Washington Legislature funded a 3.25% salary increase for all classified staff. I also said that more information on raises for all other WSU employees would be shared by April 15.

Today, I’m pleased to announce that faculty, administrative professionals and graduate assistants will be receiving a 2.5% salary increase effective Sept. 1, 2022. This marks the largest pay increase for these employee groups in seven years. I also want to note that employee compensation will remain our highest priority for the next legislative session.

Our … » More …

On behalf of Washington State University, we reaffirm our solidarity with and support of the international community in condemning the destructive attacks on Ukraine. Our thoughts are with our students, scholars, and everyone who has been impacted.

The Office of International Programs, in collaboration with the Office of the Dean of Students, has been in regular contact with our Ukrainian students and scholars, offering online and in-person support and resources. Outreach has been on-going the past several weeks and has increased as the situation abroad evolves.

These are stressful and uncertain times. WSU has many resources available for students, faculty, and staff looking for additional … » More …

Statement from

President Schulz and Provost Chilton

The recent threats of violence against historically Black colleges and universities are a stark and sad reminder of the work that must still be done to achieve racial justice in the United States. Continued systematic violence against communities of color during a time of pandemic that has already cultivated trauma and unrest for so many of us plays upon the basest forms of racism, and causes more fear in communities that have historically been the focus of a catalog of racial terrors. That these threats come at the beginning of Black History Month underscores the need to … » More …

Washington State University remains committed to a robust in‑person experience this semester at all of our physical locations. In order to keep our students, faculty, and staff as safe as possible, we are making temporary adjustments to campus operations to provide increased protection against the highly transmissible omicron variant.

We are asking organizers of events, including sporting events, to refrain from serving food or drink at least through the end of January. This will allow attendees to keep their masks on at all times.

Additionally, WSU recommends that all Cougs wear surgical-style, KN95, KF94, or equivalent high-quality masks rather than cloth masks if they are … » More …

Happy spring semester everyone,

The beginning of a new year brings with it a renewed sense of opportunity. It’s a time to commit to new self-care regimens and look ahead to the future.

In much the same way, a new semester allows students, faculty, and staff to reset their focus on what matters most. Whether it’s marching toward academic goals, taking on vital research, or helping others achieve their goals, we’re confident Cougs will make the most of these new beginnings.

It’s also a time to move forward with other important changes such as those arising as part of the continued growth and evolution of … » More …

Dear WSU Community,

Congratulations on a successful fall 2021 semester!

As we wrap up another academic term, I want to thank all of you for the outstanding work you continue to do to make our university a leader in learning, research, and public service.

Thank you to our students

It was exciting to see all of you back in our classrooms, studios, teaching and research laboratories, and on the field or court. As I interacted with you across our campuses, your energy and enthusiasm for a robust in‑person experience were reinforced again and again. I appreciate your resiliency as we continue to navigate the challenges … » More …

Dear Colleagues,

Over the course of the semester, Provost Chilton and I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet with many of you (virtually) at our town halls. We really appreciate the thoughtful feedback, questions, and lively discussions we have had at these events. Though these discussions are targeted for areas of interest for each of your units, we have noticed recurring questions around budget, recruitment, and retention. With this in mind, I wanted to provide a few key updates on where we are as an institution.

First, effective January 1, 2022, I will be dropping the “designate” from WSU Pullman Chancellor Chilton’s title. Chancellor Chilton will … » More …