Budget out of whack

WSU’s institutional priorities are befuddling to me. 

On Nov. 17th The Spokesman-Review sports page reported that the school’s trustees approved a $61 million expenditure to construct and equip a new football center (WSU gets go-ahead …).  On top of the new coach’s contract and the recent stadium remodel, it appears that over $80 million in taxpayers’ money has been allocated to a football program that hasn’t won a Pac-12 game this season, has lost many players (for whatever reasons) and now has a coaching controversy. 

Headlines over the last few years have emphasized a shortage of money …

WSU’s institutional priorities are befuddling to me. 

On Nov. 17th The Spokesman-Review sports page reported that the school’s trustees approved a $61 million expenditure to construct and equip a new football center (WSU gets go-ahead …).  On top of the new coach’s contract and the recent stadium remodel, it appears that over $80 million in taxpayers’ money has been allocated to a football program that hasn’t won a Pac-12 game this season, has lost many players (for whatever reasons) and now has a coaching controversy. 

Headlines over the last few years have emphasized a shortage of money that results in rising tuition costs and academic program cuts.  One of those cut majors was German, a program that has provided student opportunities and access to Europe’s largest and most vibrant economy. 

Bill Moos, how about allocating some of your bloated budget to the foreign language department so the German major can be reinstated?  They could even hold class in your new football center.

Ed Walther

Spokane