UW North site announced, Shin reminds public to remember ‘it’s about the students’

OLYMPIA – The Legislature this year appropriated funds to identify where best to locate a University of Washington branch campus in the Snohomish-Island-Skagit County Region. The architectural firm of NBBJ was retained by the state Office of Financial Management to conduct the study. Its report, delivered today to members of the Legislature and Gov. Gregoire, announced Pacific Station in Everett as the preferred home to a new University of Washington campus — UW North. more>>>

Skill centers provide a piece of the education puzzle

OLYMPIA – It’s a simple truth: Not every student can or wants to go to college. But while we’ve focused on improving Washington’s higher education system, we’ve neglected the critical contribution of skill centers. To address that problem, the Legislature has approved a measure that will result in more satellite and branch campus skill centers. more>>>

Bills on college loans, producing more bachelor degrees hit governor’s desk

OLYMPIA – Hurdles college student face such as paying for tuition and getting into high demand programs should get easier to clear, thanks to two bills brought forth by state Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds. more>>>

Student priority bill boosting CWU’s tuition waiver authority now goes to Gov. Gregoire

OLYMPIA – A bill to correct a decades-long funding inequity affecting Central Washington University (CWU) passed the Senate last week. more>>>

Senate gives A+ to Rockefeller’s bill giving hope to college-bound

OLYMPIA – Students and families who may be ruling out college because of cost concerns were given hope today with the passage of Washington’s College Bound Scholarship. more>>>

State-backed student loan programs would benefit students and Washington

OLYMPIA – After Sallie Mae acquired the Washington Student Loan Finance Association (WSLFA) in 2004, it left students with one fewer option to obtain a tax-exempt educational loan. To fill the void, the Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority (WHEFA), which issues bonds for college and university buildings, was tapped to replace WSLFA. more>>>

Better teachers make better students

OLYMPIA – If the education of our children is the paramount duty of the state, then we must ensure that teachers remain knowledgeable in their respective subjects. That’s the rationale for the Senate’s unanimous approval today of legislation to expand higher education tuition waivers. more>>>

State Senate cuts costs for student textbooks, thanks to Hatfield bill

OLYMPIA – A bill inspired by a Grays Harbor College student and sponsored by Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, is a giant step closer to becoming a state law that will make textbooks and course materials more affordable for students of Washington community and technical colleges. more>>>

Giving college students a choice: the black college fund pilot project

OLYMPIA – Choosing where to attend college is often a challenging task for many high school students, and paying for college is even more difficult. Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, is proposing a bill to establish a black college fund pilot project to allow some students to use their state-funded need grants awards to study at Morehouse College, Howard University, Spelman College, Grambling State University or Tuskegee University. more>>>

Committee backs study of education needs on Kitsap-Olympic peninsula

OLYMPIA — The Senate Higher Education Committee gave its blessing today to a proposal to evaluate higher education needs in Kitsap, Mason, Jefferson and Clallam counties, including the need for a baccalaureate-granting institution. more>>>

Investing in research at WSU-V

The cornerstone of Washington’s economy in the 19th century was agriculture. In the 20th century, it was manufacturing. Already, research innovation and ideas are shaping up to form the cornerstone of our 21st century economy. more>>>

Shin bill would identify reasons for lack of qualified graduates in high tech fields

OLYMPIA – Although our state has some of the most highly educated citizens, only 14 percent of Washington’s students graduate with degrees in high demand fields. Looking to lessen the dependence on imported high tech workers, Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, sponsor of Senate Bill 5731, said that his bill would increase the capacity of colleges and universities to graduate more students with degrees in math- and science-related fields. more>>>

Kilmer, Rockefeller and Sheldon lead push for 4-year college on Kitsap-Olympic peninsula

OLYMPIA — Residents of the Kitsap peninsula want good jobs. Area businesses want highly trained employees. Local legislators think it’s time to link those needs in a four-year college. more>>>

Jacobsen wants to help Latino students gain access to higher education

OLYMPIA – Although the Latino population is one of the fastest-growing ethnic groups in Washington, evidence shows that more work needs to be done to improve their college enrollment rates. Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, is proposing legislation to establish a joint select committee to look at ways to increase Latino accessibility to higher education. more>>>

Progress continues on approving a new university

OLYMPIA – Making steady progress through the legislative process, a bill to evaluate site options for a new university was unanimously approved today by the Senate Higher Education Committee. more>>>

Sen. Kauffman to confirm sister’s appointment to EWU Board of Trustees

OLYMPIA – This week on the Senate floor, Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent, will help confirm her sister’s gubernatorial appointment to the Board of Trustees of Eastern Washington University. more>>>

New university would produce homegrown talent

OLYMPIA – Should Washington’s high-tech companies have to continue to import qualified candidates for their family-wage jobs? more>>>

Central Washington University asks Legislature for permanent increases in tuition waiver authority

OLYMPIA – Concerned about the number of Central Washington University (CWU) students that can’t afford rising college tuition costs, Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, is sponsoring Senate Bill 5466 that would permanently increase CWU’s state-funded tuition waiver authority from 8 percent to 11 percent. more>>>

A bill of rights for student athletes

OLYMPIA – Because billions of dollars are made off student athletes and coaches make millions off these deals, according to Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, he is proposing a bill allowing student athletes to have more of a say in the process. more>>>

Location, location, location

OLYMPIA – Acknowledging the old maxim about successful real estate endeavors, Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, wants to ensure that discussions about a new, four-year, polytechnic university include an understanding of possible locations. more>>>

Bill would provide guaranteed, one-year tuition

OLYMPIA – Washington students from low-income families should have access to higher education, and Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Kitsap County, has proposed legislation to create a guaranteed, one-year tuition scholarship for students who may be the first in their family to attend college. more>>>