Below is a letter that Sandra Haynes sent to all faculty at WSU Vancouver following the Faculty Assembly meeting on Friday, September 26, 2025.
Dear CFR,
I truly appreciate your dedication and engagement during these challenging times. WSU Vancouver is a very special place, and I am continually impressed by the resourcefulness, innovative teaching, and hard work demonstrated by our faculty and scholars. It is an honor to serve alongside each of you, and I am grateful for your commitment to our community.
Thank you for inviting me to speak with you last Friday. In moments of head-spinning change from many directions, your openness to dialogue and collaboration is invaluable. Spending time together to process, ask questions, and support one another, as we did last week, is essential as we move forward.
Three areas dominated our discussion. First, we addressed the work of the rpk Group. For those unfamiliar, rpk Group is our external consultant specializing in data-informed institutional improvement. They are currently compiling existing campus data into a format for comprehensive review across units. The results will help us optimize the student experience and ensure we have the resources to continue growing. As someone who deeply values continuous improvement and shared governance, I want to reiterate that rpk Group was selected for their emphasis on these principles. The data they provide will be a tool for our collective learning and campus growth, empowering all of us—faculty, staff, and administration—to work collaboratively to ensure a thriving, sustainable campus that best serves our students.
Moving from data review to financial planning, the second major area of discussion was the rationale behind the recent budget cuts. I recognize that a 10% reduction in core funding—higher than in previous years—and has been difficult to understand. As discussed, other WSU entities have implemented comparable reductions even though some that are not plainly obvious, as they address structural deficits. While these budget measures are challenging, they are necessary for the long-term health of the WSU system. Our ability to continue serving our region with the unique strengths and attributes of our campus is balanced with our shared responsibility to the broader system. I understand these changes can be unsettling, and I appreciate your resilience and adaptability. Together, we will navigate these changes with determination and unity.
Thirdly, we discussed our values, especially our commitment to WSU’s land-grant mission of access and opportunity for all. This foundational value remains central to who we are, even as we navigate compliance with federal statutes and regulations. The stakes are high across the nation, but our focus is still clear: ensuring compliance without compromising our core mission of student success for all.
Throughout my time on campus and at WSU, I have been inspired by the resilience, collaboration, and creativity you have demonstrated as faculty. Your commitment to student success and innovative approaches continues to drive our campus forward. Each of you plays a vital role in our progress, and your perspectives are essential in shaping our future. Change requires us to remain agile, adaptable, and as informed as possible, and I am confident that—together—we can meet any challenge that lies ahead.
As we move forward, please continue to share your thoughts or concerns. I will keep you informed throughout these transitions and invite you to participate in upcoming forums to continue this important dialogue. In the coming weeks, we will provide further details about next steps and opportunities for engagement, including meetings with the co-leaders of the project, Christine Portfors and Damien Sinnott, and the academic directors.
Together, we will continue to make WSU Vancouver a place of excellence and opportunity. Thank you again for your unwavering dedication and for all that you do.
With appreciation,
Sandra