Gregoire presents higher education plan
Governor Chris Gregoire has rolled out her plan for higher education funding. From The Seattle Times:
In the governor's news release, there's a point-by-point summary of what she hopes to achieve.
Equally important is access to higher education, both as a matter of fairness and as a valuable facet of the state economy. The ability of workers to seek education is invaluable in an age when career paths may change multiple times, either by choice or by necessity.
Community- and technical-college students would get a break under a proposal by Gov. Christine Gregoire to cap tuition at current rates for the next two years.The plan is drawing a generally warm response from state legislators, so that's a positive sign.
That would keep annual tuition at the current level of $2,586. Tuition increased 5 percent this year at the state's two-year colleges. The proposal is part of a $172.9 million plan, released Thursday, that is largely focused on higher education in the state.
The governor's proposal would cap annual tuition increases at 7 percent at the University of Washington and Washington State University, and at 5 percent at all other four-year public universities.
In the governor's news release, there's a point-by-point summary of what she hopes to achieve.
Supporting rural education networks, such as WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho) and RIDE (Regional Initiative in Dental Education), so that more qualified doctors, nurses and dentists are able to practice, particularly in rural areas;A competitive economy requires quality colleges and universities. A well educated workforce is indeed a valuable resource.
Freezing tuition at community and technical colleges for the next two years and limiting annual tuition increases to make college more affordable and accessible;
Providing thousands of new high-demand enrollment spaces in colleges and universities, and Regional Opportunity Grants for job training for local employment in order to address regional workforce needs;
Helping to turn research into products so that our state’s research universities can turn their work into commercially viable products; and
Supporting small business development so that more small businesses in Washington are likely to succeed and our economy continues to diversify.
Equally important is access to higher education, both as a matter of fairness and as a valuable facet of the state economy. The ability of workers to seek education is invaluable in an age when career paths may change multiple times, either by choice or by necessity.
