Years of dreams, months of work and nearly $500,000 later, a proposal for a four-year university in Snohomish County is expected to take shape today.
An advisory panel is scheduled to decide this morning what kind of university it wants for the region.
It’s whittled a long list of ideas to two: a four-year independent polytechnic university or a four-year polytechnic campus affiliated with an existing university.
The idea is for the new university to emphasize science and technology degrees but also offer liberal arts and other programs.
An independent college would be similar to California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
A university affiliated with an existing research university would be similar to the University of Washington’s Bothell campus.
Money could ultimately determine which model the group picks.
“Personally I’d like to see just a new four-year school on its own,” said state Sen. Dave Schmidt, R-Mill Creek, a committee member. “But what happens then is you’re back to fighting for only so much of the pie. And (the UW) is still the 800-pound gorilla.”
The committee’s research will be reviewed by the state Higher Education Coordinating Board, which will make its own recommendation to the Legislature by Dec. 1. That vote is likely in October.
The committee’s work is part of a major study ordered by the Legislature last year to address the long-term higher education needs of north Snohomish, Island and Skagit counties.
Snohomish County is one of the nation’s largest counties without a four-year public university.
Finding the money and convincing lawmakers of the need are major hurdles.
“So much of it depends on what the Legislature does and what the budget situation is,” said Kris Betker, a spokeswoman for the Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The committee also will discuss general locations for a university.
Everett, Marysville, Arlington and Stanwood are all being considered, but the recommendation today will not be site specific.
Today’s meeting is at 10 a.m. in the conference room of the Snohomish County Administration Building East, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett.
Herald reporter Melissa Slager contributed to this report.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
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