WSU programs get extra funds
PULLMAN – Agriculture and health research programs at Washington State University got a boost from the omnibus federal budget bill signed into law by President Bush this week.
A key provision was $1.9 million toward design of a new U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service building on the Pullman campus. The 86,400-square-foot facility will be located next to Hulbert Hall in Pullman.
“This funding will play an important role in promoting education, research and economic development for our state and region,” said WSU President Elson S. Floyd.
The USDA station has long been housed in other buildings at WSU and is an important source of farm research in the region.
Dan Bernardo, dean of the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences, praised Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., for their diligence on the project.
“Senator Murray and Representative Dicks have continued to keep this project in front of Congress during difficult budget times, and at the same time incrementally add funds to the total needed to begin construction,” Bernardo said.
Construction hinges on receiving additional federal money.
The bill has nearly $8 million for agriculture-related projects in the Pacific Northwest, including:
“$225,000 for creation of a Washington Clean Plant Network to ensure virus-free woody fruit plant stock for the state and nation.
“$263,000 to study grasses and poplars for use in producing biofuels and bioproducts.
“$239,000 for continuing development of the Washington grapevine foundation block.
“$504,000 to develop new markets for the state’s agricultural and forestry products.
The WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing will receive $1.28 million to equip a simulation room at the college’s new building under construction at WSU Spokane.
“Students face extremely complex situations in hospitals and community clinics,” said Patricia Butterfield, dean of the nursing school.
“In the past, the nursing profession relied primarily on lectures to help students learn. Now we know that students learn more effectively when they participate in clinical simulation exercises.”
Also in Spokane, the WSU Research Center for the Study of Methamphetamine will receive $517,000.
John M. Roll, director of the Washington Institute for Mental Illness Research and Training, will head the new center.
“This money will further the efforts of WSU researchers to bring the power of science to bear on attacking methamphetamine addiction and other types of drug abuse,” Roll said.