WWU: Computer science department needs to step up to the future

I smell politics. This is the university equivalent of how municipalities cut police, fire, and teachers first, regardless of whether they are the actual budget problem. It's designed to get people screaming and get their budget restored so they don't have to make any cuts.

Barring sudden changes in the economy, though, this probably won't work to avoid cuts from the legislature. There's a lot of ways this could play out. I suppose my real point is to look to the larger picture; this isn't occurring in isolation and I think there's a great deal more going on here than just the first-order story.

There are valid points on both sides of the debate. It's never a time to cut a solid computer science department. The thought is ridiculous. That being said, WWU is absolutely not on the same level as (UW) University of Washington (for Computer Science and Engineering). I'm sure there's a lot of great talent at WWU (as there is at any institution) but much blame does fall on the University for not doing enough outreach to industry and academia to improve the quality of the department and reputation of students. If you want your University to thrive, push all you have into improving your CSE department, instead of cutting it. WWU, this is your chance to either make something of yourself, or crawl into a hole and die as a liberal arts ghetto, contributing no real value to society. (edited to cut down the snark)

I'd have to guess WWU is disappointed its CS department isn't self sustaining from grant money so this is a kick in the pants to the faculty. It is my impression, which could be wrong, that most academic computer science is money making, attracting more research grant money than it has students and faculty to complete. Better CS departments draw huge funds to build its own buildings and name them after the famous alumnus who coughed up the most cash. The fact this CS department is dependent on the school's budget and not vice versa is telling something isn't right.