Administrative organizational changes

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to you today to announce several administrative structural changes and position reduction strategies, the goals of which are to bring expenditures in alignment with revenues and to create a more stable financial situation for the University going forward. This strategic reorganization is part of a budget plan that prioritizes our core academic functions and sustains the unique qualities that make WWU one of the premier public universities in the region.

A full explanation of the structural changes and strategies is now available online and is also shared in Western Today. My intent in this email—besides alerting you to the university announcement—is to let you know that our goal in making these permanent and strategic changes is to move away from the post-pandemic one-time strategies that are slowly reducing our capabilities, to institute changes that align recurring expenditures and revenues on an ongoing basis, and to ensure that Western comes out stronger and even more resilient at the other end of this process. We have tried to navigate recent budget challenges using one-time strategies, but it is clear that permanent and more strategic changes are needed to ensure the long-term financial health of the university and to prevent unintended consequences that may result from less strategic, across-the-board approaches. 

I want to stress that advancing our academic mission and strategic priorities is important even as we go through this budget right-sizing exercise.  This includes sustaining our programmatic strengths and a healthy ecosystem of academic programs that makes Western’s brand unique in the state and beyond.

The sad events of last week are an important reminder that as an educational institution, Western is first and foremost a human enterprise. We are here to develop and nurture human talent and take care of students, faculty, and staff who are part of the Western family. We are keeping our employees at the center even as we make difficult budgetary decisions. We realize that change creates anxiety and uncertainty. I want to acknowledge that, and I want to assure you that we will do everything we can to support employees during this change and transition.

We will continue to communicate openly throughout this process. Thank you for your understanding and for your dedication to Western.

Sabah