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THE BOARDS OF REGENTS OF
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY and UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Joint Resolution

WHEREAS, Washington State University and the University of Washington are the state’s statutorily authorized research universities; and

WHEREAS, both universities contribute significantly and substantially to the well-being, prosperity, and quality of life of all citizens in the State of Washington; and

WHEREAS, providing high quality education is a responsibility the state historically has assumed, recognizing in so doing the public good that results from a highly educated, productive citizenry; and

WHEREAS, both Washington State University and the University of Washington through the research conducted by faculty and students contribute new knowledge, which benefits business, industry, agriculture, and health care, resulting in improved processes and products and new ventures on which the future economic well-being of our state will depend; and

WHEREAS, it is unquestionably in the state’s interest to ensure that its two research universities continue to benefit Washington’s citizens; and

WHEREAS, over the past decade state support for the research universities has not kept pace with investments made by other states in their research universities; and

WHEREAS, over the past decade, state appropriations per student, in inflation-adjusted dollars, have declined, leaving Washington State University and the University of Washington nearly twenty percent behind the average funding of their respective Higher Education Coordinating Board approved comparison institutions; and

WHEREAS, in their respective competitive arenas, such inadequate funding makes it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain outstanding faculty and provide the level of educational excellence Washingtonians have a right to expect from their public research universities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Boards of Regents of Washington State University and the University of Washington pledge jointly to support efforts to secure adequate state appropriations for their respective universities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Regents of both universities fully support the position not to increase enrollment unless and until significant progress is made in closing the gap between per student state appropriations and the average per student state appropriations of each university’s peer comparison group. In addition, budget reductions must be accompanied by enrollment reductions in order to maintain quality and allow current students to graduate on time with the skills they need to compete.

Dated this 22nd day of November, 2002