WSU Board of Regents | Virtual | 5.7.2026

The Washington State University Board of Regents held a virtual meeting on May 7, 2026, covering a broad range of topics including strategic planning, academic program approvals, budget development, and operational updates. Key procurement-related discussions included the presentation and preliminary approval process for the 2027-2029 biennium state operating and capital budget requests, with a focus on funding for compensation increases, facility renovations, and new construction projects such as the Spokane Health Sciences Team Health Project and the Creary revitalization project. The board also approved the establishment of two new master's degree programs in Food Manufacturing Technologies and Artificial Intelligence. Additionally, the finance and administration committee reviewed internal audit updates and discussed the fiscal year 2027 university budget and Cougar athletics budget, including a required state-mandated transfer to cover the athletics department's accumulated cash deficit. The meeting included a vote to elect Doug Pika as chair and Howard Wright as vice chair of the Board of Regents for the upcoming year. No immediate contract awards or vendor selections were reported, but the budget discussions and capital project updates indicate ongoing and planned procurement activities. The board also adopted a resolution to approve defense requests for university employees following an executive session on litigation matters.