In 1941, Everett Community College was founded with a mission of expanding higher education options for residents of Snohomish County. Since then, EvCC has educated more than 100,000 people in our region, including many successful community and business leaders.
As part of that mission, EvCC operates the University Center of North Puget Sound, which offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs through eight partner schools — Western Washington University, Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, The Evergreen State College, Hope International University, Saint Martin’s University, University of Washington Bothell and Washington State University.
Recently, local legislators have proposed House Bill 1792 and Senate Bill 5636, which would change the leadership of the University Center, putting Washington State University in charge.
EvCC is strongly committed to expanding four-year opportunities in Snohomish County, but I believe that the proposed transition of leadership will not benefit students, taxpayers or employers. Our partners in the University Center, other than WSU, agree.
To understand why, it’s important to know a little bit of background about University Center.
In 2005, EvCC was asked to become the leader of a fledging effort to develop and manage a coalition of four-year institutions that offered upper-division courses and bachelor’s degrees in Everett. Through thoughtful crafting of a written plan, EvCC secured necessary authorization and funding from the Legislature to implement and administer the University Center of the North Puget Sound.
The current administration of the University Center has been very successful in building cohesive partnerships with four-year colleges to offer quality four-year degrees to Snohomish County residents. Our success is due in large part to our ability to collaborate with our partners.
In the past six years, EvCC has expanded the University Center to include partnerships with eight public and private four-year colleges that now offer 25 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs to just over 500 students. We’ve exceeded enrollment projections so far and anticipate growing to 1,000 students in the next few years.
Because of the efficiencies of an administrative structure that already exists through EvCC, these programs are provided at a per-student state funding average that is 40 percent less than the state funding average of the research universities, such as WSU. The existing cost effectiveness — and questions about whether a WSU-run University Center will require additional state resources — is one reason why there are concerns about this legislation.
EvCC has encouraged WSU to expand its offerings at the University Center, including bringing its programs in mechanical and civil engineering to Everett, but WSU declined because of program costs.
Instead, we found a capable partner in Saint Martin’s University, now offering two accredited engineering programs at the University Center with tuition similar to WSU’s. We also are partnering with the University of Washington Bothell for a third engineering program.
All three are cost-effective and relevant to local industry needs. If WSU wants to expand in Snohomish County, we invite them to bring their programs into the existing successful structure as an equal partner.
EvCC takes the role of a neutral third party in brokering University Center programs through a collaborative approach with our partners. With WSU proposing to become both a partner and broker, the relationships between competitor and collaborator get harder to define and trickier to manage.
I have concerns about the ability of WSU to collaboratively lead the University Center based on the lack of engagement with EvCC and the other university partners during the discussions about the University Center’s future.
While I respect the dedication and support of our community leaders and county legislators who have developed House Bill 1792 and Senate Bill 5636, the college’s Board of Trustees and administration remain skeptical, at best, to the potential effectiveness and efficiency of a WSU-run University Center.
David Beyer is president of Everett Community College.
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