"House passes economic stimulus, prodded by Obama"
By David Espo
The Seattle Times
"Floyd announces more possible cuts"
By Jimmy Blue
The Daily Evergreen
"Veterinary College cancels annual conference"
WSU Today
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
5 Questions for Andrew Schneider
1. What factors played into your decision to write the Libby story? What motivated you to continue the story as a series?
2. Doing such an emotional story, about the town in Libby, was it sometimes hard to detach yourself from the piece? Or do you remember times during your investigation and writing when you just said, “I can’t do this anymore?”
3. Did you feel as if more was expected of you once you became a Pulitzer winner?
4. Because you’ve now won two Pulitzers, do you notice yourself having more authority when it comes to which stories you choose to write about?
5. With the Seattle Post-Intelligencer closing its doors, what’s next on the agenda for you as a journalist? As a writer?
2. Doing such an emotional story, about the town in Libby, was it sometimes hard to detach yourself from the piece? Or do you remember times during your investigation and writing when you just said, “I can’t do this anymore?”
3. Did you feel as if more was expected of you once you became a Pulitzer winner?
4. Because you’ve now won two Pulitzers, do you notice yourself having more authority when it comes to which stories you choose to write about?
5. With the Seattle Post-Intelligencer closing its doors, what’s next on the agenda for you as a journalist? As a writer?
Hiring freeze affects those seeking employment by WSU
Due to worsening economic conditions, both nationally and regionally, coupled with harsh budget cuts at Washington State University, a hiring freeze enacted by President Elson S. Floyd in early April continues to affect students and individuals seeking employment by the University.
The state of Washington is currently facing a $5 billion deficit for the two-year budget. Gov. Christine Gregoire says this could increase to $6 billion if the economy continues to deteriorate. Gregoire has asked the state’s colleges and universities to prepare for a 20 percent budget cut, or $600 million over the next two years.
Gregoire ordered all Washington state colleges and universities to implement a hiring freeze while simultaneously reducing travel and equipment expenses. Shawn Hoch, Associate Director of Culinary Operations, said, “It was just announced that $47 million is being cut from the University’s budget.” The hiring freeze, coupled with drastic budget cuts, has caused all University staff and faculty to feel the effects of a worsening economy.
President Floyd’s hiring freeze mirrored announcements made in early August by Gregoire. The governor announced that a statewide hiring freeze would be implemented in order to meet new budget demands. Joan S. King, Executive Director of Budgeting and Planning said, “The hiring freeze was a good idea in order to slow spending and prepare us for the upcoming budget cut. It was a prudent step.”
The president wrote an e-mail to WSU chancellors and vice presidents in April explaining his decision to enact the freeze. According to Washington State University’s The Daily Evergreen, Floyd wrote in part, “Given an increasingly uncertain financial future for the state and the nation, it is my desire to slow significantly the pace of administrative and professional hiring within WSU.” Floyd further advised that the Budget Office should be consulted before posting vacant positions and awarding promotions of increases in salary.
As a result, WSU has limited its staff recruitment efforts to allow only for the replacement of positions deemed essential to university operations.
Matthew A. Skinner, Associate Budget Director, said that 215 fewer people were hired during May and Dec. 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. This means that there were nearly 50 percent fewer positions filled. Forty-nine fewer faculty members were hired as compared to the previous year, said Skinner.
King acknowledges that the University’s hiring has been reduced as a result of the freeze, but she said, “Student workers have been exempted from the freeze; we hired hundreds of students, for instance, for the re-opening of the CUB.” Skinner added, “We don’t anticipate a slowdown in the number of student positions.”
“The University relies on student employees; our operations would be seriously hindered without them,” said Hoch. Even though students are exempt from the hiring freeze, they are still feeling the effects of the budget cuts.
The cuts are affecting hourly employees and the amount of hours they are given each week. “I’m limited to only working 10 hours a week,” Madeline V. Verochio said. Verochio is a senior in political science and is currently employed as a clerical assistant with University Relations. “I couldn’t work more, even if I was needed, and there have been times that I was, but I couldn’t because of the strict budget limitations,” said Verochio.
In order to better prepare for the upcoming budget cuts, Floyd and Provost and Executive Vice President Warwick M. Bayly have requested that all university deans, vice presidents and chancellors prepare a 12 percent and 18 percent budget reduction scenario. The budget cuts are aimed at reducing communication expenditures, increases in salaries and hiring new faculty and staff.
Joan S. King – Executive Director of Budget and Planning
(509) 335-9681
Matthew A. Skinner – Associate Director of Budget
(509) 335-1836
Shawn Hoch – Associate Director of Culinary Options
(509) 335-8488
The state of Washington is currently facing a $5 billion deficit for the two-year budget. Gov. Christine Gregoire says this could increase to $6 billion if the economy continues to deteriorate. Gregoire has asked the state’s colleges and universities to prepare for a 20 percent budget cut, or $600 million over the next two years.
Gregoire ordered all Washington state colleges and universities to implement a hiring freeze while simultaneously reducing travel and equipment expenses. Shawn Hoch, Associate Director of Culinary Operations, said, “It was just announced that $47 million is being cut from the University’s budget.” The hiring freeze, coupled with drastic budget cuts, has caused all University staff and faculty to feel the effects of a worsening economy.
President Floyd’s hiring freeze mirrored announcements made in early August by Gregoire. The governor announced that a statewide hiring freeze would be implemented in order to meet new budget demands. Joan S. King, Executive Director of Budgeting and Planning said, “The hiring freeze was a good idea in order to slow spending and prepare us for the upcoming budget cut. It was a prudent step.”
The president wrote an e-mail to WSU chancellors and vice presidents in April explaining his decision to enact the freeze. According to Washington State University’s The Daily Evergreen, Floyd wrote in part, “Given an increasingly uncertain financial future for the state and the nation, it is my desire to slow significantly the pace of administrative and professional hiring within WSU.” Floyd further advised that the Budget Office should be consulted before posting vacant positions and awarding promotions of increases in salary.
As a result, WSU has limited its staff recruitment efforts to allow only for the replacement of positions deemed essential to university operations.
Matthew A. Skinner, Associate Budget Director, said that 215 fewer people were hired during May and Dec. 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. This means that there were nearly 50 percent fewer positions filled. Forty-nine fewer faculty members were hired as compared to the previous year, said Skinner.
King acknowledges that the University’s hiring has been reduced as a result of the freeze, but she said, “Student workers have been exempted from the freeze; we hired hundreds of students, for instance, for the re-opening of the CUB.” Skinner added, “We don’t anticipate a slowdown in the number of student positions.”
“The University relies on student employees; our operations would be seriously hindered without them,” said Hoch. Even though students are exempt from the hiring freeze, they are still feeling the effects of the budget cuts.
The cuts are affecting hourly employees and the amount of hours they are given each week. “I’m limited to only working 10 hours a week,” Madeline V. Verochio said. Verochio is a senior in political science and is currently employed as a clerical assistant with University Relations. “I couldn’t work more, even if I was needed, and there have been times that I was, but I couldn’t because of the strict budget limitations,” said Verochio.
In order to better prepare for the upcoming budget cuts, Floyd and Provost and Executive Vice President Warwick M. Bayly have requested that all university deans, vice presidents and chancellors prepare a 12 percent and 18 percent budget reduction scenario. The budget cuts are aimed at reducing communication expenditures, increases in salaries and hiring new faculty and staff.
Joan S. King – Executive Director of Budget and Planning
(509) 335-9681
Matthew A. Skinner – Associate Director of Budget
(509) 335-1836
Shawn Hoch – Associate Director of Culinary Options
(509) 335-8488
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Beat Articles
"Microsoft cutting 1,400 jobs today; up to 5,000 in next 18 months as recession hits harder"
By Benjamin J. Romano
Seattle Times
"Education leaders focus on future despite economy"
By Donna Gordon Blankinship
Seattle Post Intelligence
"WSU wants small tuition increase"
By Adnrew Talevich
The Daily Evergreen
"Committee hears budget concerns"
By Erik Fena
The Daily Evergreen
By Benjamin J. Romano
Seattle Times
"Education leaders focus on future despite economy"
By Donna Gordon Blankinship
Seattle Post Intelligence
"WSU wants small tuition increase"
By Adnrew Talevich
The Daily Evergreen
"Committee hears budget concerns"
By Erik Fena
The Daily Evergreen
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Story Proposal #1
Hiring Freeze and the effects on University Employment
Governor Christine Gregoire plans on saving $90 billion from the state budget after a $6 million defecit for the two-year budget. In an August 4 memo, Gregoire ordered Washington agencies and colleges to freeze hiring and reduce costs on travel and equipment. President Elson S. Floyd instituted a slowdown in administrative and professional hiring by the university in late April. Since the announcement, President Floyd has limited WSU’s staff recruitment efforts and has focused only on hiring employees deemed essential to university operations.
Since Gregoire’s initial announcement, Washington State officials are projecting a 5 billion dollar deficit for the next two-year budget. Governor, Christine Gregoire says this could increase to 6 billion due to the deteriorating economy. Gregoire has asked the state’s colleges and universities to prepare for a 20 percent budget cut, or 600 million over the next two years.
The hiring freeze on the Washington State University campus has resulted in less employment opportunities for new faculty and students. Even if a student is lucky enough to be employed by the University, scheduled hours have been limited.
Possible Sources:
1. Joan King, Executive Director of Budget and Planning
2. Madeline Verochio, University Relations Assistant
How budget cuts are affecting Dining Service’s University Catering
For the last two years, Washington State University’s annual allocation for its operating budget was $254 million. Gregoire’s proposed budget (announced in December) recommends cutting that figure by 12 percent ($31 million). As a result, the University announced a budget cut in November which totaled $4.47 million, which includes a $2.5 million cut in the academic budget. This has brought the total budget cut to $10.5 million for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
As a result of the economic crisis, the University Budget Committee (co-chaired by President Elson S. Floyd and Provost and Executive Vice President Warwick M. Bayly) has requested that all campus chancellors and administrative vice presidents to prepare a 12 percent budget restriction scenario for their areas.
Due to budget cuts made in November, many departments had to cancel their holiday events, causing University Catering to lose money. Now that budget cuts are inevitable once the Legislature approves the budget, other events and conferences are sure to be cancelled as well, leaving Catering even more financially insecure. What are the effects of department budget cuts on University Catering and what it the outlook for the University’s catering business?
Possible Sources:
1. Rosita Sandell, Catering Manager
2. Amy Gibson, Catering Coordinator
3. Shawn Hoch, Executive Director of Dining Services
Governor Christine Gregoire plans on saving $90 billion from the state budget after a $6 million defecit for the two-year budget. In an August 4 memo, Gregoire ordered Washington agencies and colleges to freeze hiring and reduce costs on travel and equipment. President Elson S. Floyd instituted a slowdown in administrative and professional hiring by the university in late April. Since the announcement, President Floyd has limited WSU’s staff recruitment efforts and has focused only on hiring employees deemed essential to university operations.
Since Gregoire’s initial announcement, Washington State officials are projecting a 5 billion dollar deficit for the next two-year budget. Governor, Christine Gregoire says this could increase to 6 billion due to the deteriorating economy. Gregoire has asked the state’s colleges and universities to prepare for a 20 percent budget cut, or 600 million over the next two years.
The hiring freeze on the Washington State University campus has resulted in less employment opportunities for new faculty and students. Even if a student is lucky enough to be employed by the University, scheduled hours have been limited.
Possible Sources:
1. Joan King, Executive Director of Budget and Planning
2. Madeline Verochio, University Relations Assistant
How budget cuts are affecting Dining Service’s University Catering
For the last two years, Washington State University’s annual allocation for its operating budget was $254 million. Gregoire’s proposed budget (announced in December) recommends cutting that figure by 12 percent ($31 million). As a result, the University announced a budget cut in November which totaled $4.47 million, which includes a $2.5 million cut in the academic budget. This has brought the total budget cut to $10.5 million for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
As a result of the economic crisis, the University Budget Committee (co-chaired by President Elson S. Floyd and Provost and Executive Vice President Warwick M. Bayly) has requested that all campus chancellors and administrative vice presidents to prepare a 12 percent budget restriction scenario for their areas.
Due to budget cuts made in November, many departments had to cancel their holiday events, causing University Catering to lose money. Now that budget cuts are inevitable once the Legislature approves the budget, other events and conferences are sure to be cancelled as well, leaving Catering even more financially insecure. What are the effects of department budget cuts on University Catering and what it the outlook for the University’s catering business?
Possible Sources:
1. Rosita Sandell, Catering Manager
2. Amy Gibson, Catering Coordinator
3. Shawn Hoch, Executive Director of Dining Services
Monday, January 19, 2009
Beat Note
The Economy: Washington State University
Introduction
The economy has quickly become a highly controversial issue that has incited a vigorous political debate. This is especially true because of the trouble it is currently causing in regards the national economy. An economy is not a specific size. It can be used to describe the entire world (international market), a country (national economy) or a city (local economy), as long as it is involved in the production of goods and services.
It is important for the average individual to understand at least the basic mechanisms of the nation’s economy. The news media has already partially informed Americans about the economy’s influence on the international and domestic stock markets, state and local government’s budgets, interest rates, unemployment rates and retirement plans. It will be the focus of this beat to examine the effects of the national and local economies on the average individual (student or employee) in Pullman, Wash. and Washington State University.
The growing financial crisis began in July of 2007. It was initially referred to as the “credit crunch” or “credit crisis” by the United States news media. The economic volatility peaked in September of 2008 when a variety of international stock markets crashed, causing a myriad of banks, mortgage lenders and insurance companies to fail. The crisis is often attributed to the collapse of America’s housing market but, America’s financial system was already volatile because of highly insecure financial contracts.
The economic crisis at first, affected only those directly involved with home construction and mortgage lending such as Countrywide Financial. Mortgage lenders, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, were then taken over by the Federal government. Washington Mutual, the largest savings and loan association in the United States also failed.
As a result, the United States Congress passed a 700 billion bailout plan for the finance industry. Consequently, Congress also passed legislation that gave 25 billion to the “Big Three” (Ford, GM and Chrysler) in order to bailout the automotive industry. This has ultimately caused a variety of industries to seek a Federal bailout, including the adult entertainment industry.
Washington State officials are projecting a 5 billion dollar deficit for the next two-year budget. Governor, Christine Gregoire says this could increase to 6 billion due to the deteriorating economy. Gregoire has asked the state’s colleges and universities to prepare for a 20 percent budget cut, or 600 million over the next two years.
Washington State University has already begun to prepare for the hard economic times. President, Elson S. Floyd implemented a hiring freeze during the spring and took a cut in pay.
Story Proposals
Relevant News Articles
Potential Sources
Introduction
The economy has quickly become a highly controversial issue that has incited a vigorous political debate. This is especially true because of the trouble it is currently causing in regards the national economy. An economy is not a specific size. It can be used to describe the entire world (international market), a country (national economy) or a city (local economy), as long as it is involved in the production of goods and services.
It is important for the average individual to understand at least the basic mechanisms of the nation’s economy. The news media has already partially informed Americans about the economy’s influence on the international and domestic stock markets, state and local government’s budgets, interest rates, unemployment rates and retirement plans. It will be the focus of this beat to examine the effects of the national and local economies on the average individual (student or employee) in Pullman, Wash. and Washington State University.
The growing financial crisis began in July of 2007. It was initially referred to as the “credit crunch” or “credit crisis” by the United States news media. The economic volatility peaked in September of 2008 when a variety of international stock markets crashed, causing a myriad of banks, mortgage lenders and insurance companies to fail. The crisis is often attributed to the collapse of America’s housing market but, America’s financial system was already volatile because of highly insecure financial contracts.
The economic crisis at first, affected only those directly involved with home construction and mortgage lending such as Countrywide Financial. Mortgage lenders, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, were then taken over by the Federal government. Washington Mutual, the largest savings and loan association in the United States also failed.
As a result, the United States Congress passed a 700 billion bailout plan for the finance industry. Consequently, Congress also passed legislation that gave 25 billion to the “Big Three” (Ford, GM and Chrysler) in order to bailout the automotive industry. This has ultimately caused a variety of industries to seek a Federal bailout, including the adult entertainment industry.
Washington State officials are projecting a 5 billion dollar deficit for the next two-year budget. Governor, Christine Gregoire says this could increase to 6 billion due to the deteriorating economy. Gregoire has asked the state’s colleges and universities to prepare for a 20 percent budget cut, or 600 million over the next two years.
Washington State University has already begun to prepare for the hard economic times. President, Elson S. Floyd implemented a hiring freeze during the spring and took a cut in pay.
Story Proposals
- The hiring freeze and its effect on student employees and/or hiring new professors, deans and professional support.
- Statewide budget cuts and how it’s affecting Washington State University.
- How budget cuts within departments at Washington State University are influencing other WSU businesses.
- The housing market and how it’s performing in Pullman and the effect of low interest rates on real estate.
- Pullman’s financial situation as compared to other cities in Washington.
- Washington State University’s financial situation as compared to the University of Washington.
Relevant News Articles
- “Gregoire looking at massive state budget cuts” by Andrew Garber, The Seattle Times, http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008451090_budgetcuts30m.html.
- “WSU finds ways to deal with steep budget cut” by Andy Jones, The Daily Evergreen, http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/27333.
- “Academic budget to be cut by $2.5 million” by Staff Reports, The Daily Evergreen, http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/27306.
- “Economy drives universities to stall hiring” by Karlee Weinmann, MN Daily, http://www.mndaily.com/2008/11/23/economy-drives-universities-stall-hiring.
Potential Sources
- Joan King, Executive Director of Planning and Budget
- Javin Bakke, ASWSU Senator
- Shawn Hoch, Executive Director of Dining Services
- Greg Blanchard, Manager/Chef
- Madeline Verochio, University Relations Assistant
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