Student Advocate Perspectives: Protect Washington’s Future – A Student’s Appeal to Safeguard Funding for the University of Washington

By Sora Tolley, Class of 2028, Finance & Political Science

Dear Senator ————, 

I am a constituent of your district and a second-year student at the University of Washington. Having lived in Washington my entire life, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to pursue higher education at a distinguished public institution in my home state. 

I write to express my serious concern regarding the proposed 3% reduction in funding to the University of Washington for FY27. In light of your role on the Ways and Means Committee and your longstanding engagement with education policy, I respectfully urge you to consider the far-reaching consequences these cuts would have for students and for the broader state economy. 

The University is preparing to enroll a record number of students in 2026, yet it continues to absorb the effects of prior budget reductions. Last year’s cuts resulted in the layoff of more than 300 UW employees and departmental budget reductions ranging from 5 to 13 percent. Students have already experienced the repercussions of those decisions in tangible ways. A further 3% reduction would not merely compound these challenges; it would materially undermine the University’s capacity to sustain the quality, accessibility, and quality of education that students depend upon. 

As a student pursuing a double degree in Political Science and Business Administration, I am acutely aware of the importance of a well-supported academic infrastructure. I have encountered significant difficulty securing advising appointments within my departments, complicating the process of planning my degree and sequencing required coursework. My peers have likewise faced constrained course availability and diminished opportunities within their majors. When departments operate under sustained financial strain, the burden is ultimately borne by students whose educational trajectories become more uncertain and less efficient. 

I recognize that the State faces a challenging fiscal environment. Nonetheless, the University of Washington is not merely a line item in the budget; it is one of the State’s most significant economic engines. The University generates approximately $962,600,000 in tax revenue, meaning that one out of every $32 in Washington’s economy can be attributed to its presence. Although 74% of UW students are Washington residents, 83% of graduates remain in the state after completing their degrees, continuing to contribute to its workforce, tax base, and innovation ecosystem. Any analysis of short-term savings must be weighed against these long-term economic returns. 

Most importantly, I ask that you consider the students whose academic experiences and professional futures are directly shaped by these decisions. Funding reductions of this magnitude risk diminishing educational quality, restricting access to high-demand programs, and limiting opportunity for high-achieving Washington students. 

Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration of this matter. I appreciate your service to our district and to the State of Washington. 

Sincerely, 
Sora Tolley