Statement from Governor Gregoire on UW North Sound Campus

For Immediate Release: November 15, 2007

�Today I received the reports from the University of Washington and the consultants hired by the Office of Financial Management on the proposed UW North Sound campus.

�I appreciate the open public process, the many comments from six town halls and over 20 community meetings, and the attention to detail and the depth of the analysis.

�I am excited about the academic plan UW has proposed for the new campus. The students of Skagit, Island, Snohomish counties and beyond will soon enjoy a broad array of educational opportunities and hands-on, project oriented learning.

�The consultant�s report identifies four potential sites, all with their own individual strengths. We have choices between suburban and urban settings which can accommodate large traditional college campuses or less traditional compact educational settings.

�Our top goal must be to consider what is best for the students. I encourage the residents of the region and their leaders to rally behind whichever site is chosen. We must all work together to make sure the campus will help students be successful.

�The Legislature and I now need time to thoroughly review the report and more fully consider the public comments we received from the over 1,000 participants in the town hall meetings.

�I look forward to working with legislators in the upcoming session to take the next steps toward providing additional baccalaureate opportunities for North Sound residents.�

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