North sound UW branch campus returns for another round of debate

With the recent announcement by the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Board that it has hired Bill Wilkerson to help resolve the issues surrounding the proposed north sound branch campus of the University of Washington, the discussion about the proposed facility and where it should be located will surely heat up.

By Scott Frank • September 23, 2008 6:42 pm

With the recent announcement by the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Board that it has hired Bill Wilkerson to help resolve the issues surrounding the proposed north sound branch campus of the University of Washington, the discussion about the proposed facility and where it should be located will surely heat up.

The proposed campus found itself stalled in the last Legislative session when supporters could not agree on where to site the branch campus.

A study which evaluated a number of proposed sites rated the Everett location first, followed by the proposed site in north Marysville.

Proponents of the two sites soon found themselves at odds as they advocated the advantages of their preferred site and lamented the disadvantages of the other site. The ensuing stalemate meant the proposal did not make it out of the last Legislative session.

But the siting question will not be the only question that will have to be answered this year.

Last year, State Rep. Dan Kristiansen, 39th District, raised a couple of important and legitimate questions.

He questioned whether a north sound branch campus was needed given that the UW-Bothell campus was only 20 miles to the south. He also questioned how the proposed branch campus would be funded.

It’s the funding question that may be the focal point of this year’s debate. Recent projections predict a Washington state budget deficit of $3 billion. With that projected deficit, more people are likely going to be asking if now is the right time for a new branch campus and, if it is, how will it be funded.

We believe there is a need for a north sound branch campus and that the Marysville location is the best site.

We also believe that providing access to quality education is one of the state’s fundamental responsibilities. So while the projected deficit needs to be addressed, it should not be done at the expense of those seeking a higher education.

We encourage all parties to quickly settle the siting question so that they can move forward together to ensure the branch campus comes to fruition and that our communities have access to the educational opportunities they deserve.

To contact a member of The Marysville Globe/Arlington Times editorial board — Stuart Chernis or Scott Frank — e-mail forum@marysvilleglobe.com.