Governor Jay Inslee and the State Senate recognized the 25th anniversary of the five branch campuses of Washington State University and the University of Washington today, the 92nd day of the 105-day regular legislative session.
The morning began in Governor Inslee’s office where he presented each chancellor with a signed copy of a proclamation to “reaffirm our shared dedication to educational excellence and access to higher education for all Washingtonians,” as the document reads.
The State Senate later passed Senate Resolution 8663 to honor the founding legislation of the branch campuses.
Legislation passed in 1989 allowed WSU to open branch campuses in Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver, and the UW to do the same in Bothell and Tacoma. With the mission of expanding access to higher education in Washington state, the branch campuses also drive economic development by strengthening the regional workforces they serve.
WSU Chancellors Lisa Brown, Keith Moo-Young and Mel Netzhammer respectively leading the WSU Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver campuses traveled to Olympia to join UW Tacoma and Bothell leadership in the celebration.
Video coverage of the Senate’s remarks on resolution SR 8663 can be viewed below.