STATE LEGISLATURE RESTORES $2.7 MILLION TO EVERGREEN

March 11, 2026 -- The Washington State Legislature delivered welcome news for The Evergreen State College: the proposed $2.7 million cut to Evergreen’s operating budget has been removed.

Instead, Evergreen will receive only a $175,000 administrative reduction, the same level applied to other regional public universities.

The decision reflects months of persistent advocacy from across the Evergreen community. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters worked together to demonstrate the value Evergreen brings to Washington students and communities.

Advocacy efforts included leadership from the Geoduck Student Union, the Evergreen Advocates network, faculty and public-sector unions, and Evergreen’s Board of Trustees, along with strong engagement from local legislators.

Together, these voices made a clear case: Evergreen is growing, innovating, and serving more students than ever—including working parents, mid-career professionals, and first-generation college students and many more.

While Evergreen still faces an operating budget deficit and internal decisions ahead, the Legislature’s action represents an important step toward protecting the college’s future.

Evergreen Community at TVW Gala

Evergreen supporters were also visible this session at the TVW Gala on February 19 in Olympia. Representing the college were Evergreen Trustee Karen Fraser, Evergreen Advocates leader Nina Carter, State Representative Sharon Tomiko‑Santos (Evergreen alum), Planned Giving Officer Tanya Mote, Evergreen President John Carmichael, Government Relations Director Sandy Kaiser, Geoduck Student Union Legislative Director Nate Tippman, The Cooper Point Journal Editor Teresa Eastlick, and Shelton Promise Manager Monear Fatemi.