A Message from John Reed
Evergreen's Interim Chief Financial Officer
At The Evergreen State College, our focus remains on delivering the best possible outcomes for students while safeguarding the long-term strength of the institution. As we navigate real financial challenges, we are committed to being transparent about the Washington state legislative budget process and the initial steps we are taking to ensure our resources remain aligned with student success and our core academic mission.
The operating budget proposals currently under consideration in Olympia include reductions that will significantly affect public higher education. While the final legislative budget is not expected until March 12, as part of our ongoing conversation on this issue, we want our campus community to understand where things stand now and what actions we are taking based on the information available today.
Like many public colleges in Washington and across the country, Evergreen is addressing a projected budget shortfall in the coming fiscal year. Rising operational costs, enrollment pressures across higher education, and limited revenue growth require us to make disciplined decisions about how we allocate our resources.
After careful consideration, we are making two operational changes.
First, the college will close its pool at the end of June. The pool has served our campus and the broader community for decades, and we recognize the important role it has played as a place for wellness and connection. However, it carries significant ongoing operating and infrastructure costs. Recently, the Washington State Department of Health notified the college that the campus pool requires approximately $60,000 in immediate repairs in order to meet current health and safety standards.
Because these required upgrades are mandatory and must be completed in the near term to continue operating the facility, and given the pool’s significant ongoing operating costs alongside the college’s broader budget challenges, this additional $60,000 mandated expense underscores the financial realities behind our decision to close the facility at the end of June, allowing us to reduce expenses and prioritize resources that directly support instruction and student success.
Second, we will restructure our bookstore operations to better serve students and align with evolving course material needs. The bookstore will discontinue on-site sales of physical textbooks, while remaining open to offer Evergreen apparel, gifts, art and supply kits, and other campus merchandise. We will partner with a third-party course materials provider to manage textbook sales and distribution. Students will continue to have access to new, used, rental, and digital formats, with the convenience of home delivery or pickup at the bookstore, and the Copy Center will continue to service faculty, staff, and community needs as usual within the store operations.
Maintaining physical book inventory on-site requires storage, staffing, and supply management costs that are no longer aligned with current demand. Moving these operations to a third-party distributor reduces overhead while maintaining reliable access to required materials in whatever format works best for individual students.
I also want to acknowledge that multiple staff positions will be eliminated as part of this restructuring. These are valued members of our community, and decisions affecting people’s livelihoods are never taken lightly. We are committed to supporting them through this transition with care and respect.
We understand that the pool and bookstore are part of the fabric of campus life. But our foremost responsibility is to protect Evergreen’s core mission: delivering an exceptional academic experience, supporting student success, and ensuring the institution’s long-term sustainability.
Evergreen remains strong. We expect the final legislative budget on March 12 and will update the campus promptly once it is adopted. By making thoughtful adjustments now and communicating clearly about what to expect, we ensure that Evergreen continues to serve students, contribute to our region, and uphold our public mission for years to come.