EVERETT — Washington State University President Elson Floyd on Wednesday gave alumni and Everett community leaders a clearer view of why the college is “so enthused” about expanding its presence in town.
Floyd told the 70-person crowd at the Hotel Monte Cristo that the community has an “inal
ienable right” to have a research university and WSU wants very much to be the force to foment expansion of higher education in the region.
But those who came to listen also got a good view of the opposition Floyd and Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson must overcome to attain their goal of painting the city crimson and gray by 2014.
Their plan calls for WSU to get approval from state lawmakers to replace Everett Community College as operator of the University Center of North Puget Sound. That shift isn’t sitting well with leaders of the community college, several of whom showed up Wednesday.
Jennifer Howard, EvCC vice president of administrative services, said Wednesday she thinks WSU would benefit the community.
“I’m totally there,” Howard said in an interview. “Do I agree that they should take over the University Center? No. Do I think they should be in this community? Yes.”
At the University Center, public and private colleges provide bachelor’s and master’s courses to about 500 students. Classes are conducted on the Everett Community College campus.
Under pending legislation, the transfer of power is contingent on completion of a long-term plan for meeting the future academic needs of the north Snohomish, Island and Skagit counties and establishment by WSU of an engineering course at the center. Those steps must occur by July 2013.
Also, the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Board must bless the change of management.
Everett Community College has done an “absolutely amazing job” with the University Center, Floyd said. “We’re going to do everything we can to build on that very strong foundation. You don’t throw away your jewels. They are a crown jewel.”
But Christine Kerlin, the EvCC vice president who runs the center, quizzed Floyd about how he planned to pull it off with the state whacking funds for two- and four-year colleges.
“My resource picture is exactly as yours,” he said. “Both institutions would have challenges in that regard.”
Most of those attending appeared supportive of WSU’s quest.
Jan Ambler, the chief executive officer of Workforce Development Council of Snohomish County, was one of the most vocal.
“It needs to happen now,” Ambler declared. “There are a lot of WSU alum who are well spoken, outspoken and very much want to bring this institution to this community.”
Hours before Floyd’s event, there was a spirited hearing on the proposed legislation before the House Higher Education Committee in Olympia.
WSU and Everett officials sparred with Kerlin and other community college leaders on the cost and benefits of the proposed power shift.
Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, the committee chairman, said afterward he was delaying action on the bill from Thursday to Monday.
“We’re going to try to see if we can put together something that is a positive step forward in light of the energetic and intense testimony,” he said.
The legislation, SB 5636, can be read at www.leg.wa.gov.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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