Dear Colleagues,

I’ve been very lucky to spend time on each of our campuses this semester, and what continues to inspire me is the uniquely different populations that each of our campuses serve. And serves well. Our Everett, Vancouver, and Tri‑Cities campuses offer four‑year degrees within a small, family-like atmosphere, and they support many first generation, non‑traditional, and transfer students in their home communities. Our Global campus provides students with the flexibility they need to earn degrees while raising families and working full‑ or part‑time jobs. WSU Pullman offers the traditional residential student experience at WSU’s flagship campus. Spokane is training the next generation of healthcare … » More …

Cougs,

It’s hard to believe that we’re wrapping up the sixth week of the semester—what a whirlwind this fall has been! I’m continually overjoyed seeing our students, faculty, and staff back in person on our campuses. The energy—and the Cougar spirit—is stronger than ever. I also want to take a moment to thank all of you for the hard work you have put in to ensure that we could return to an in‑person experience—and commend you because, across all our locations, WSU is doing phenomenally well. Our vaccination rates are high, and our case rates remain low.

The past year and a half pushed many … » More …

Cougs,

As we gear up for an in‑person fall semester, I am delighted to announce that Dr. Elizabeth Chilton, WSU’s Provost and Executive Vice President, has accepted the role of WSU Pullman Chancellor, and will officially start in her new, dual role July 1, 2022.

In January of this year, I detailed a need to separate the role of the WSU System President and the WSU Pullman Chancellor. Like our other five campuses, the Pullman campus has a unique identity that is both separate from, and supports the success of, our WSU system. By combining the chancellor and provost roles, WSU will be able to maintain its commitment to academic excellence and … » More …

We are thrilled that we can now officially announce that Cougs at all our campuses across the state will be back in‑person in full capacity this fall. We will share more details shortly about what this looks like for our students, faculty, and staff, both in and out of the classroom.

In the meantime, enjoy your summers, stay safe, stay healthy, and if you’re able, get vaccinated. We’ll see you in August.

As always, Go Cougs!

Kirk Schulz, President
Washington State University

Happy Pride! As we wrap up June, I want to highlight the critical work that our LGBTQ+ colleagues are leading to ensure that WSU remains an inclusive, safe place. I am continually amazed by the efforts of our faculty, staff and students to ensure that everyone feels welcomed into the Cougar family. I’d like to give a special call out to Rocky Lucas, a social worker in the College of Veterinary Medicine, for his work with the President’s Commission on Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation, and Meghan Fitzpatrick, a Doctor of Nursing Practice student, for their final project research in collecting sexual … » More …

Dear Colleagues:

June 19, 2021, marks the 156th anniversary of Juneteenth, an African American celebration that commemorates the news of emancipation finally reaching those people enslaved in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865—almost two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. On this day, 250,000 enslaved people learned of their freedom.

While Juneteenth stands as a celebration of freedom, it is also a time that honors the strength, spirit, and lives of those men, women, and children who lived under the system of slavery in the United States. Despite delayed freedom, they laid firm claim to their rights of citizenship by creating and elevating a collective memory that affirmed the … » More …

Dear Colleagues:

We want to express our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your hard work and steadfast commitment to WSU during this particularly unique academic year. It has presented a seemingly endless array of professional and personal challenges, and we are profoundly grateful to you and humbled by your determined efforts to serve our students, communities, state residents, and the rest of the University’s stakeholders.

You have gone above and beyond on a continuing basis during COVID‑19, approaching each new challenge with professionalism, grace, and a team-oriented mindset. In short, you have demonstrated Cougar spirit at its ultimate during this … » More …

Dear Cougar Family:

Throughout the pandemic, much of the WSU community shifted to a remote work environment. While most were able to work from home, let’s also acknowledge those employees who continued to deliver essential services in person at our campuses and other locations. On behalf of the University, we thank everyone for their perseverance and commitment to WSU during these immensely challenging times.

As the availability and distribution of the COVID‑19 vaccine improves, we look forward to our phased reopening across the state. We will prioritize those in‑person activities that best enhance our ability to support our students, promote equity, and meet our land‑grant mission.

… » More …

Washington State University (WSU), as the state’s land-grant university, has an obligation to serve the public good and promote the health and safety of the communities it serves. The COVID‑19 vaccine, now widely available, has been shown to nearly eliminate the chances of death or serious illness related to a COVID‑19 infection, and is a critical element in protecting public health locally and worldwide.

· Vaccine requirements for students

WSU system-wide will require proof of the COVID‑19 vaccination for the 2021–2022 academic year for all students engaging in activities at a WSU campus or location.

Exemptions will be allowed for medical, religious, or personal reasons. Information about … » More …

Accountability. We still need to seek justice.

Those thoughts ran through our minds this afternoon as we watched the jury deliver guilty verdicts on all three counts in the trial of a Minneapolis police officer for the murder of George Floyd last May.

Today’s verdict is a critical moment in a long overdue addressing of the systemic racism and historical injustices that continue to persist in our country.

This verdict does not bring back George Floyd nor does it erase the deep pain of his family and loved ones. Nor does it absolve us of the work that lies ahead. Individually and collectively, we must … » More …