WSU Proposes A Budget to the '97 Legislature "Changing
the Delivery of Higher Education"
An innovative plan to expand and enhance student
learning through technology has been submitted for legislative
consideration by Washington State University. The proposal is
now under review by the Governor's Office of Financial Management.
Outgoing Gov. Mike Lowry will make recommendations to the Legislature
later this year.
"Virtual WSU" - Student Learning and
Technology Initiative
WSU proposes transforming 180 courses in disciplines
across the university into computer-assisted, learner-centered
courses. The state Higher Education Coordinating Board last
week recommended WSU receive $10.5 million for these purposes
as part of the board's "value added" priority package.
Some conventional WSU lecture courses, for instance, will
be "re-engineered" by faculty members to use multi-media
presentations that will utilize sound, video, slides and animation
as part of normal lecture presentations. Other classes may be
converted so that students would use technologies like the World
Wide Web and electronic mail to learn, giving them the flexibility
of internet-based instruction they can receive where and when
they want it. Most of the $10.5 million requested will go toward
technical support for faculty members who will be trained and
assisted in preparing presentation software, CD Rom disks, or
Web pages for their classes. This initiative is interwoven into
the full WSU legislative agenda for 1997. A separate $800,000
request is for purchase of electronic journals and data bases.
The only major new Pullman building proposed in the capital construction
budget will include high-technology classrooms and a "Teaching
and Learning Center" to assist faculty. Instructional equipment
is sought in WSU's supplemental operating budget request. WSU
predicts these transformed classes will optimize the utilization
of physical facilities on campus. For instance, students will
be able to take some classes without leaving their dormitory room.
Additionally, most of these 180 "re-engineered" courses
will be suited for electronic export via satellite, Internet,
or K-20 Network. Many could be easily transferred from Pullman
and branch campuses to new "Learning Centers."
The Learning Center; Your Home Town University
Access Point
New WSU learning centers maximize the use of technology
and existing public employees and facilities, including WSU extension
agents and county offices. They provide expanded access to baccalaureate
degree completion programs. Formed in partnership with community
colleges and other educational institutions. WSU has established
centers in Yakima, Wenatchee, Colville, Longview-Kelso, and at
Port Hadlock near Port Townsend. Talks with community colleges
and local officials underway may lead to requested funding for
new centers in Chehalis-Centralia, Grays Harbor, Walla Walla,
Moses Lake/Grand Coulee, Puyallup, Goldendale, South Seattle,
and Mount Vernon.
K-20 Network - More Interactive Classrooms
WSU's interactive WHETS system, which is virtually
full, may get expanded capacity in 1997 with completion of K-20
fiber optic backbone. However, unless more "electronic classrooms"
are provided to fully utilize the new system, it will function
more like a highway without on-ramps and off-ramps. WSU is proposing
electronic classrooms for Pullman, Longview, Vancouver, Grays
Harbor, Richland, Puyallup, Prosser, Yakima and Spokane.
The Foundation For Success and Top Priority:
Retaining an Innovative Quality Faculty and Staff
WSU is seeking funding for merit-based faculty
pay increases. WSU faculty now make less
than their colleagues at 18 of the 22 land grant peer institutions
across the United States. By 1997-98, WSU salaries will lag
peer groups by 21 percent unless faculty salaries are increased.
The HEC Board designated salaries for all employees in the highest
priority category (along with enrollment and financial aid).
More Student Enrollments for WSU Branch Campuses,
Extended Degree Program, Pullman
Washington State University has increased its total
enrollment by nearly 3 percent this fall for a total of 20,169
students.
WSU Spokane will seek
another 130 FTE or $1.8 million. WSU Vancouver will seek
350 FTE or $4.5 million.
WSU Tri-Cities will be
seeking another 175 FTE or $2.3 million. The Pullman campus
requests $7 million or 810 more student FTEs, which includes the
extended degree program.
