Governor Christine Gregoire this afternoon signed Senate Bill 5636, creating a pathway for WSU to gain management of the University Center in Everett in 2014.
The bill won’t actually take effect until the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Board considers whether the matter must first go through its systems design review process. With the HEC Board’s blessing, a coordinating and planning council would draft a strategic plan for appropriate baccalaureate expansion at the center to submit to the Legislature along with a budget. The Legislature must approve future expansions.
WSU also would be required to begin an engineering program at the center.
University President Elson Floyd and regents Laura Jennings and Connie Niva participated in the bill signing ceremony along with an array of key legislators and North Puget Sound community leaders and stakeholders.
