of involvement of faculty in addressing the budget challenges is short-sighted and unwise. o Principles of Shared Governance acknowledge broad decision-making is best: The 1966 Joint Statement declares that, “Effective planning demands that the broadest possible exchange of information and opinion should be the rule for communication among the components of a college or university.” 27 Consistent with this, the Faculty Code notes that “Areas Meriting Significant Faculty Consultation” designates nine issues facing CWU, including the budget. 28 Not including the faculty (through approved faculty consultative processes) as a key shared governance partner in budget conversations is a violation of the Faculty Code. o Reduced transparency on budget decision-making: The President has also reduced transparency in budget allocation decisions, with little oversight over the administrative budget. Faculty were previously involved and informed more extensively in budget decisions through the President’s Budget Advisory Council (PBAC). Meaningful involvement in decision-making at that body has ceased under President Wohlpart. o Reductions in Academic Affairs have hurt students and diminished the classroom experience : During this same period, Academic Affairs budgets have been reduced. This has led to 1) canceled and reduced classes that have made it harder for students to graduate, 2) departments without any administrative support to answer the phone or provide assistance when a student needs help, and 3) goods and services budgets so limited that faculty are unable to purchase the items we need to run our programs. The university’s limited budget should be directed toward the core mission of the institution and the success of our students: Academic Affairs. The President’s opacity regarding the budget must be considered in his attempted consolidation of power and authority.
27 See 1966 Joint Statement p. 121. Accessed Jan. 17, 2026: https://www.aaup.org/sites/default/files/2025- 07/Statement_on_Government_of_Colleges_and_Universities.pdf 28 See 2025 - 2026 Faculty Code, p. 9. Accessed Jan. 17, 2026: https://www.cwu.edu/about/university- leadership/faculty-senate/_documents/facultycode.pdf
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