MONDAY, Nov. 8, 2004

Major expansion of WSU Vancouver
will add freshmen and sophomores

Washington State University Vancouver likely will become a new kind of “urban university” and will begin accepting freshmen and sophomores in two years, but don’t expect dormitories, frat houses and a football team—yet.

WSU Vancouver chancellor Hal Dengerink at a news conference this morning outlined the results of a “self-study” of what the future should be for the university authorized by the state legislature.

Ideally the university would be different from existing Washington institutions of higher learning. It would become a complete university, offering coursework for qualified students who wish to attend a four-year school locally. It would be a research university. It would continue to provide a transfer option for students from community colleges, notably Clark and Lower Columbia. It would remain a part of the Washington State University system.

“The proposals advanced by the university’s study represent the most efficient and cost effective ways of helping serve southern Washington and as well as addressing statewide higher education needs,” commented state Rep. Bill Fromhold (D-49th).

Southern Washington, despite the addition of WSU Vancouver more than ten years ago, remains the most underserved part of the state in terms of higher education opportunities. Dengerink said that, statewide, the state funds one full-time student per 71 persons. The ration is even better in eastern Washington, where it is one in 35 persons. In southwest Washington it is one in 484.

The WSU Vancouver study goes to the Washington State university board of regents late next week and to the state Higher Education Board in January. From there on, it will be up to the legislature to provide funding for the changes.

Under the plan the first freshman class would be admitted in 2006.

According to Dengerink, the university surveyed approximately 4,000 individuals in southwest Washington and conducted 13 focus groups as part of its study. “A clear majority of the community expressed a preference for WSU Vancouver to function both as an upper-division transfer campus, as well as a four-year campus.” Dengerink said. He also said that the only category of respondents who believe WSU Vancouver should remain an upper-division and transfer campus is community college faculty.

Dengerink said: “We recommend expanding the role of WSU Vancouver to include select freshmen and sophomores. Only students who meet WSU admission criteria will be permitted to enter as freshmen or sophomores. In expanding its role to include lower division students, WSU Vancouver will be able to offer a local alternative to those students who want to remain in the region but do not want to pursue a baccalaureate degree by beginning at a community college. These students do not have a four-year, in-state option.

“While we recommend implementation of a four-year option, we do not recommend eliminating our transfer option.

Our projections indicate that, even after full implementation, the majority of WSU Vancouver upper-division students will have initiated their academic careers at a community college.”

Nancy Hubbard named park department
manager for planning and development

Nancy Hubbard, formerly director of housing development for the Vancouver Housing Authority, has been appointed planning and development manager for Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation, with a focus on developing park and trail projects, according to David Judd, director of Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation.

Historian Rex Ziak to lecture on Lewis
and Clark’s six days in Washougal

Rex Ziak, two time Emmy Award winning cinematographer and nationally recognized historian and lecturer on Lewis and Clark, presents “Untold and Overlooked Episodes of Lewis and Clark in Washougal” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, in the Washougal High School auditorium.

According to Ziak: “The westward journey of Lewis and Clark was rather straightforward as they camped near Rooster Rock, paddled past Washougal on Nov. 3, 1805, and then camped on Government Island. Their return journey in the spring of 1806 holds the ‘real story’ due to the unexpected discoveries that kept them in the same camp in Washougal for nearly a week.”

The lecture is free, but donations will be accepted .For further information, call Carol Zahorsky, 704-3020.

Auction offers travel from Kona
to private tour of medical center

The Evergreen School District Foundation third annual foundation benefit auction offers travel opportunities that range from Kona, Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas, and Sunriver, to a private tour of Southwest Washington Medical Center to be conducted by CEO Joe Kortum beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, in the Heathman Lodge. Dining opportunities to go under the gavel include Erath’s Vineyards, Roods, Cactus Ya Ya, Beaches, and Gloria Papas’s Greek gourmet dinner.

KATU news anchor Steve Dunn is the master of ceremonies for the $50 auction and hors d’oeuvres buffet, which includes wine provided by David and Patricia Nierenberg. Tickets are available, and may be had by calling 604-4022.

People

William Stephen Rainey, Vancouver, has been appointed by Gov. Gary Locke to a four-year term on the State School for the Blind board of trustees. g Lyle Lovingfoss, Longview, has been reappointed to the board of trustees of Lower River Community College by Gov. Locke. 

News briefs

The Vancouver City Council meets in workshop session at 4 p.m. today. At 5 p.m. the council will be joined by Port of Vancouver commissioners and representatives of Identity Clark County to discuss a recently completed visionary plan for the future of downtown Vancouver and its waterfront west of the Interstate Bridge. g The Neighborhood Associations Council of Clark County meets at 7 p.m. this evening in the Public Works Conference Room, 4700 NE 78th Street. g Clark Public Utilities’ commissioners meet in regular session at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9. g Port of Vancouver commissioners meet in regular session at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9. g Clark County commissioners meet in regular session at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9.
 

Headlines from at home and around the world:
(Click on the headlines below for the rest of the story)

Mount St. Helens VolcanoCam [updates every five minutes]--USDA Forest Service, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Vancouver vision looks like vision of Portland's river blocks south of downtown--condominiums, shops and restaurants--Oregonian, Allan Brettman

Vancouver school bus rammed, three suffer minor hurts--KGW-TV, Abe Estimada

U.S. troops fight for Fallujah--USA TODAY, AP

NPR 5-minute hourly news updates (Audio)

Monday on the Air

Vancouver City Council Workshop (live)—4 p.m. CVTV
Vancouver City Council (11/1)—7 p.m. CVTV
 

Ruth Waite’s candles only adding to the charm. g Lynn Valenter providing details. g Steve Horenstein making cameo appearance. g Holley Gilbert’s record for accuracy expanding. g Staci Searls busy with bit-little bank news. g Monday dense fog lifts for mostly sunny afternoon, 58. Tuesday, cooling a little, showers expected in the late afternoon, 53. Wednesday, possible showers in the morning, sunny afternoon, 60.