The State of Higher Ed, from the Student Perspective

The last couple of weeks have been very intense. On Feb. 23, President Wise sent a letter to legislative leadership outlining what budget cuts would look like at UW. In this letter, the Evans School of Public Affairs and the Information School were named as facing potential consolidation with another school. The Public Health Genetics program is facing elimination.

As you can imagine, there are many very extremely concerned students who are trying to figure out what this all means. GPSS has been working to get students information and to bring them together.

Meanwhile, this morning I testified before the House Higher Education Committee on behalf of the Washington Student Association. It was a very candid and heartfelt testimony, with the intention of encouraging legislators to put themselves in the (hole-ridden) shoes of students.

Here is the Seattle Times' coverage of this hearing:
University presidents warn lawmakers about higher-ed budget cuts

View my testimony here:



Click here for video of full committee hearing.

With the Legislature starting to shift its focus to the biennial budget, there is much left to be decided. We will continue to work hard to ensure that graduate students interests are heard.

Here are some media links on the President's letter, her town hall meeting yesterday, and the Evans School reaction.

President Wise letter:
The Daily: Wise sends letter to Legislature warning about costs of cuts
Seattle Times: State university presidents paint grim picture on budget cuts

President Wise town hall:
UWTV video: President’s Town Hall – State of the UW Budget
The Daily: Wise addresses budget at yesterday’s town-hall meeting

Evans School consolidation:
The Daily: Students organize to prevent consolidation of Evans School
Seattle Times: UW cuts may hit Evans School of Public Affairs
"Evans School Stories" video