WASHINGTON WSU FUNDING LEAVES SENATE LOOKING GOOD

OLYMPIA The gods

of state funding were kind to Washington State University Friday as the state Senate approved an appropriation package that included many of the school's requests.

The funding package includes $5.1 million for equipment at a new veterinary teaching hospital and reduces cutbacks from the proposed 1.5 percent to a 1.2 percent cut that won't take effect until July 1995.

''Nobody likes taking a 1.2 percent cut,'' said Lar

ry Ganders, WSU's Dir

ector of Statewide Affairs. ''But, I think the chair, Sen. (Nita) Rinehart, really listened to what we had to say.''

With some reservations, cutback decisions will be left to the schools. Schools have been instructed not to cut instruction.

Although WSU originally requested $9 million to equip the veterinary hospital, Ganders said that the school is content with $5.1 million in the short term.

''It's $5.1 million we didn't have before,'' Ganders said. ''It's enough to buy the largest equipment that needs to be built in to the facility.

Ganders said this year's allocation would allow construction to stay on schedule. According to Ganders, other necessary equipment may be added later.

Gov. Mike Lowry's proposed funding cut of 1.5 percent was reduced to 1.2 percent by Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairwoman Rinehart, D-Seattle. Rinehart also delayed the cuts till July 1995, so that schools would have time to adjust to the budget reduction.

''Sen. Rinehart acknowledged the complexity in the higher education process,'' Ganders said. ''She understands that it's hard for us to make budget decisions quickly.''

Ganders said WSU has high hopes for budget negotiations in the House.

''If we can lower the cuts, then we'll be looking good for the budget conference between the House and the Senate,'' Ganders said.