Everett, Wash.
Published: Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Lake Stevens learns more about campus

By Bill Sheets
Herald Writer

 LAKE STEVENS – An estimated 275 people came to Cavelero Mid High School on Monday night not only to hear more about the possibility of a University of Washington branch campus coming to Lake Stevens, but to talk about it.

Officials with the University of Washington, the state and NBBJ, an architectural design firm being paid $1 million to research possible sites, talked about plans for a UW branch campus in Snohomish County. The meeting was the fifth of six town meetings planned, with the last one scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, 5611 108th St. NE.

Cavalero Hill, just outside the Lake Stevens city limits, is one of four sites being considered, along with two in Everett and one in Marysville. A decision is expected by Nov. 15.

If the site near Lake Stevens is selected, the campus would be built right alongside Cavelero Mid High. On Monday, people lined up at microphones set up on both sides of Cavalero's cavernous commons area to comment on the plans and to ask questions. Many who spoke were students.

A branch campus not only give students one more option for getting accepted to the UW, "it also gives an option for students living the Lake Stevens area to attend college close to home," said Alison Plemel, student body secretary at Lake Stevens High School.

Several students said they'd relish an opportunity to study engineering or other science-related subjects at a UW-Snohomish County branch campus. Lee Huntsman, UW president emeritus, said the college likely will have a technical bent to meet a need in the state for education along those lines.

"It's a great turnout, and to have the kids get up there and speak, it's really important," said Lake Stevens Mayor Vern Little, who has been extolling the virtues of the Cavelero site.

If school colors are important, Lake Stevens could have an edge. The auditorium was decorated with balloons and bunting in purple and gold -- the colors of both the UW and Lake Stevens High School.

"This is by far the best decorated place we've been to," said Marty Brown, legislative director for Gov. Chris Gregoire.



Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.
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