In response to a request from legislative leaders, Interim President Phyllis Wise outlined the effect of budget cuts that were at the level of the governor’s proposed cuts (about $189 million) plus 15 or 30 percent. Those effects could include:
- Up to 500 fewer Washington residents in the freshman class
- Loss of up to 1,800 jobs on campus
- Annual tuition increases of 23 to 30 percent
Potential consolidation of two schools, as well as the loss of other degree programs
Increased time-to-degree of as much as three academic quarters, increasing a student’s tuition needs by $8,700
The Olympian described the potential effects as “troubling.” The Seattle Times called the scenario of cuts at the UW and elsewhere in higher education as “grim.”
Read Wise’s letter to the legislators here.