WSU budget scenario could mean massive cuts in extension

Washington Ag February 20, 2009 One of Washington State University’s missions as a land grant institution could face massive reductions under a scenario laid out for state lawmakers, and that‘s extension. WSU’s Provost told a legislative committee the scenario, nothing definitive at this point, would mean 49 to 75 percent cuts in public services, which is made up primarily of WSU extension. Steve Van Vleet with WSU-Whitman County Extension says a 50 percent reduction scenario could mean over 115 extension educators would be lost in the state. At the 75 percent reduction level that number could be nearly 200 extension personnel. Van Vleet: “The thing is we need to consider the myriad of services us educators provide all over the state. Coordinating, conducting field tours, conducting research. Working with PhD students and interns. Sharing vital information. Creating these partnerships which are key. Education the youth. We have all our youth programs. Even if we kept some of the youth programs intact, it would be very devastating to them too if you did not have anybody doing agriculture and natural resources.� Van Vleet says extension conducts a lot of research too and it also brings in outside funds. Van Vleet: “If we look at the end of this year we ended with an excess of 23 million in grant and contract expenditures. Second highest unit in the university in extramural funding.� Van Vleet says all he asks is that budget cuts be equitable across the university. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.