PSE of WWU

As the second year of the biennium approaches, our budget woes are ramping up again, and in the next several months WWU and PSE will be asking you to participate in the political process as it pertains to protecting the quality of higher education. However this must be done without misusing state resources. WWU's top lawyer Wendy Bohlke offers the following advice:

"Faculty and staff are reminded they should avoid using state resources, such as their university email, telephones, paper, and work time, to lobby legislators or urge others to lobby legislators, regarding the university's plight in the budgets currently proposed. Faculty and staff do have free speech rights that allow them to speak out on matters of public concern, including budgets for higher education. However, such speech should be judiciously exercised to avoid violating any applicable code of ethics. If they wish to communicate their individual views regarding budgets for WWU or other government activities outside the university community, they should use their personal email, telephones, etc. Please contact me [Wendy Bohlke] if you have particular questions in this regard."

Wendy Bohlke, Senior Counsel

Old Main 335, Western Washington University
516 High Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 650-2040

Office of Attorney General
103 E. Holly, Suite 310
Bellingham, WA 98225
(350) 676-2044