o the state’s next budget crisis is only a year away but rather than deal with reality some legislators promote pet fixes for things that aren’t broken. The proposal to merge Cascadia Community College and the University of Washington at Bothell solves nothing. Cascadia’s healthy enrollment numbers are testament to the demand for affordable college education. Eliminating this community college only makes a four-year degree less accessible for many. And legislators are misguided if they think a “Cascadia State University” will attract student interest and provide the same quality of education that UWB offers.
No one disputes the desire for more college choices in the King-Snohomish county area but disassembling an already productive system isn’t the answer. If Rep. Helen Sommers wants to help produce more graduates, then take the steps necessary to allow UWB to increase its enrollment. Funding a study we don’t need for a change that limits access to higher education only adds to next year’s inevitable budget crisis.
Snohomish
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