BOT Recap: Legislators, panelists hold discussion on higher education

[ Editor’s Note: After each Board of Trustees meeting, Western Today provides a recap of decisions and discussion. ]

Legislators, Panelists Discuss Higher Education and the Future of the State at Trustees Meeting

Western’s Board of Trustees held a special panel discussion Friday titled "Linkages Between Higher Education and the Future of the State” during their meeting at Safeco Field in Seattle.

Panelists were Washington State House of Representatives Speaker Frank Chopp; state Sen. Ed Murray, chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee; state Rep. Larry Seaquist, chair of the House Higher Education Committee; state Rep. Reuven Carlyle, vice chair of the House Higher Education Committee; Lewis McMurran, vice president, Washington Technology Industry Association; Howard Lincoln, CEO, Seattle Mariners and former WWU trustee, and John Warner, retired Boeing vice president and former Western trustee.

The panel discussion was moderated by Western Trustee Phil Sharpe and included analysis of state funding challenges, the increasing need for more bachelor’s degrees in Washington State and how an educated work force is the key to the state’s economic prosperity and future. All of the legislators lauded the high quality of education provided by Western.

The discussion is available for viewing online as recorded by TVW and by WWU Video Services.

Also on the agenda at the Oct. 13-14 Board of Trustees meeting, the trustees:

• Heard a report from Trustees Chair Dennis Madsen about a recent retreat by the trustees, during which they reviewed some of the significant accomplishments of the past year, including collaborative efforts in Olympia, strategic planning, “keeping the campus together” and the comprehensive campaign. Strategic planning for this year has a similar focus.
• Heard from President Bruce Shepard on the Chautauqua on Oct.13 by the Washington State House of Representatives Higher Education Committee—one of four regional meetings around the state. The event, at Skagit Valley College, co-hosted by Western and the eight community and technical colleges in the region, focused on advanced manufacturing and aerospace and specific ways that higher education partners with industry to support regional and state goals for job growth. Western and other higher education and industry leaders discussed innovative collaborations currently under way.
• Heard a report from Associated Students President Anna Ellermeier on successful AS fall activities, including the Info Fair that attracted about 6,000 students and others. She also said that on Oct. 20 the AS is hosting a mayoral debate between candidates Dan Pike and Kelli Linville.
• Gave approval of a consultant and delegation of authority to award a consultant contract for the Carver Academic Renovation.
• Received reports on fall enrollment, an update on the comprehensive campaign, an overview of Western’s past, present and future presence in Seattle, and information on Western’s use of various forms of data.
• Meeting documents are available at the Board of Trustees wesite.