Service Contracts

Seattle Colleges has frozen non-essential service contracts funded by the operating budget to meet a 5% budget reduction for FY27. Exceptions apply to revenue-backed programs, mandatory compliance/safety needs, or critical core functions approved by leadership.

Exemptions and Exceptions

The non-essential services contracts freeze does not include contracts, contract amendments or other agreements related to:

• Funded exclusively by self-support or revenue-backed programs that are operating at a profit including but not limited to private or federal grants (often found in 145), auxiliary services (570), student activity fees (522), lab fees (148) or state board approved capital projects;
• Necessary for compliance or legislative mandate;
• Necessary to protect life or public safety;
• Necessary to protect data privacy and cyber security;
• Necessary to carry out the core functions of a program or unit, with president or chancellor approval.

Executive Authority

College presidents and the chancellor retain final authority over service contract decisions for their respective budgets. Due to a 5% budget reduction, any exception request must first be verified with budget staff to confirm that adequate funds remain available before approval.