OLYMPIA – The state’s first new four-year university since the 1970s will be built in north Snohomish County if several local state lawmakers have their way.
A bill introduced in the Legislature on Tuesday proposes a “North Snohomish State College,” which would serve thousands of graduating high school seniors and adults wanting to go back to school.
Lawmakers don’t dispute the need to enlarge the state’s higher education system to increase the number of enrollment slots. Pressure is mounting as the largest class of high school seniors in state history advances toward graduation in 2008.
The number of high school graduates in Washington is expected to reach 66,792 by 2009.
However, legislators disagree on how to expand higher education. Some back legislation to convert the University of Washington’s two-year branch campuses into four-year institutions. Others, including Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, want to build a new campus.
“I think it’s time to start talking about a new one instead of making everything bigger. Bigger is not necessarily better,” said Haugen, D-Camano Island, a sponsor of the Senate bill for a new university.
There has been periodic talk of building a new state university. The Evergreen State College in Olympia, which opened in 1971, is the only public four-year school to open in the state since Western Washington University in 1899.
Senate Bill 5425 does not specify two key elements: where the university would be built or how many students will it would have. Haugen said those details will emerge during the legislative process.
Haugen said she has spoken with elected officials in Arlington and received a warm response. Other Snohomish County state lawmakers are showing interest as well, she said.
A hearing will be held before the Senate Early Learning, K-12, Higher Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell. No date has been set.
McAuliffe has not signed onto the bill. She represents the UW in Bothell, one of the branch campuses that could become a four-year institution.
Sen. Dave Schmidt, R-Mill Creek, said he supports the concept. He doesn’t know what north would mean in North Snohomish State College, but believes Everett would be the most logical spot for such a school.
“Not only is (Snohomish County) the most underserved area in the state, but look where the growth is going to be over the next 30 years,” Schmidt said.
Snohomish County has a population of about 600,000 and is projected to grow by another 200,000 over the next two decades.
“It makes sense to build the new state college close to where the students are,” said Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, a co-sponsor of the legislation.
Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon said the bill has his support.
“Snohomish County needs a four-year university, both because we are currently underserved by the state and because it is essential for future economic development,” Reardon said.
Officials at area colleges and universities said it could help fill a void.
“We draw from that area, but the need is pretty much there in the Puget Sound region overall,” said Kathleen Drew, a spokeswoman for the UW at Bothell. “I’m not concerned about the competition, so to speak, because there is such a huge need you could develop several strategies and still not need it.”
Charlie Earl, president of Everett Community College, said, “We are pleased that a prominent senator has put higher ed upper division needs on the table and very much look forward to working with the entire Legislature in pursing upper division options in Snohomish County.”
Marysville Mayor Dennis Kendall said the state had better move quickly to buy land if it is serious about building a four-year university in the county.
“I think it’s a neat idea and it’s a timely idea,” Kendall said. “I am stretched on the idea of where.”
One possibility is land near Smokey Point that was considered for a NASCAR racetrack earlier this year.
“That NASCAR site is disappearing very rapidly,” Kendall said. “That’s my economic development for our entire future. If that goes to the college campus, that creates jobs and has people coming out, but the downfall is no sales tax and property tax revenue while using up infrastructure.”
The state would be smart to lock up the land now, even if it would be a while before it could push forward with construction, Kendall said. The land would increase in value even if a university is never built, he said.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
