BILL REQ. #:  S-0689.4 

Read first time 01/17/2007.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to identifying sites and programs for a four-year institution of higher education serving the Snohomish-Island-Skagit county region; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the needs of over ten thousand students are forecast to be unmet by 2025 without state action to improve access to higher education in the Snohomish-Island-Skagit county region. The legislature further finds that the Snohomish-Island-Skagit county region needs a four-year comprehensive institution of higher education to serve the demands of Washington businesses. The legislature further finds that there is no idle expansion capacity in public institutions of higher education in the region. The legislature intends to expedite the development of a new four-year comprehensive institution of higher education with a polytechnical focus in the Snohomish-Island-Skagit county region. The legislature further intends that this new institution shall focus on providing polytechnical baccalaureate degrees in applied science, engineering, and applied computer science, that prepare graduates to compete in the global marketplace.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The office of financial management shall assess options and make a recommendation on alternative sites and secure purchase options for an institution of higher education in the Snohomish-Island-Skagit county region. The office of financial management shall evaluate sites based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:
     (a) Meeting the unmet baccalaureate needs in the region including high-demand program needs;
     (b) Accessibility from existing and planned transportation infrastructure;
     (c) Availability of land in Everett, Marysville, and the north Snohomish county area;
     (d) Whether the parcel size allows flexibility for future growth and expansion;
     (e) The costs of land acquisition;
     (f) Whether the land is impacted by environmental hazards; and
     (g) Meeting the objectives of the master business plan.
     (2) The office of financial management shall develop specific operational and management plans needed to establish the institution, including but not limited to:
     (a) A master business plan for design and implementation, including public-private partnerships;
     (b) A governance model; and
     (c) A plan for comprehensive, four-year programs with a polytechnical focus to be offered that addresses regional demographic pressures and workforce needs.
     (3) Planning and analysis shall be done in coordination with the local community.
     (4) The office of financial management shall report its recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 1, 2007.
     (5) The office of financial management shall contract with an outside neutral consultant to carry out the provisions of this section.