3/6 Update: $450,000 Funding for the WSU Spokane Health Sciences Initiative is now included in both the Senate-passed supplemental operating budget and the proposal sponsored by House Democrats. House Republicans recommended $600,000. The $425,000 SIRTI funding request has been now included in all proposals.
WSU & SIRTI REACH AGREEMENT
BUT CRITICAL LEGISLATIVE DECISIONS AHEAD
A landmark "Memorandum of Understanding" between Washington State University and the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute has been signed. But legislative funding remains in doubt.
The MOU will add the SIRTI building to the adjacent Riverpoint Higher Education Campus. With approval of funding packages now before the Legislature, the agreement could lead to the relocation of the administrative headquarters of the WSU Cancer Prevention Research Center from the Pullman campus to the SIRTI building in Spokane. The university is also considering relocating additional cancer programs, such as research on anti-oxidants, to SIRTI. WSU is also notifying legislators this week that it also intends to move a tissue/pathology laboratory for the WSU Center for Reproductive Biology to WSU Spokane.
The MOU was delivered to the governor`s budget office with a letter signed by Michael D. Nowling, SIRTI board chairman, and WSU President Sam Smith. The agreement states that the SIRTI Board of Directors will work in collaboration with WSU to commercialize WSU Research by providing SIRTI commercialization services and support. WSU will target biotechnology and health science research at SIRTI. The memorandum largely satisfies the requirements by the governor for funding of $425,000 for SIRTI operations and $600,000 for related WSU research programs.
The governor funded both pieces of the proposal. But the House Republican budget funded only the WSU portion of the request. The House Democratic budget funded only the SIRTI portion of the request. No House budget, compromising the positions of GOP and Democratic members, has yet surfaced. There are reports that this issue continues to be discussed among House members. A key milestone may come this week when the state Senate is expected to disclose its budget.
Rep. Jeff Gombosky, D-Spokane, is leading efforts for the SIRTI/WSU package in the House. Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane; and House Higher Education Co-chair Phyllis Kenney, D-Seattle, are among others working to make sure both funding packages are included in the final legislative budget.
WSU President Sam Smith has discussed the issue with many legislators and believes favorable funding would position the Spokane Riverpoint campus to become a center for research and technology transfer.
Patricia Stanford Named to the State Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Patricia Stanford, the widow of former Seattle School District Superintendent John Stanford, has been appointed to the state Higher Education Coordinating Board by Gov. Gary Locke.
Stanford replaces Frank "Buster" Brouillet, a former state superintendent of public instruction who served for six years on the board.
Stanford`s four-year term begins April 1, 2000.
"Pat brings a strong commitment to creating opportunity in higher education and reaching out to people from groups that are historically under-represented in our colleges and universities," said HECB Chairman Bob Craves. "She`ll offer a valuable perspective as we begin implementing our 2000 Master Plan for Higher Education," he said.
Stanford is a board member of the United Negro College Fund, Community for Youth, First Place, Mothers Against Violence in America, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Foundation. Previously, she has served on the boards of the Urban League, Child Haven, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and City Club in Seattle. Stanford earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Pennsylvania State University and has worked for the Department of Defense and in real estate sales.
West Waiver Bill Passes House Appropriations Unanimously
3/6 Update: Senate Bill 6010 has passed the Washington Legislature. The Senate concurred with House amendments, sending the measure to Gov. Gary Locke.
Senate Bill 6010, the West tuition waiver bill, passed the House Appropriations Committee unanimously today. The bill underwent some technical changes in committee and so it will require an additional vote in the Senate once it passes the House. But today`s vote is seen as an important milestone for the bill which is now expected to pass the Washington Legislature. SB 6010 permanently allow WSU maximum freedom to waive some or all tuition costs for its students. WSU particularly targeted meritorious students, such as students with high grade point averages, in using current budgetary authority to waive more than $1.5 million in tuition. WSU also was able to enter into agreements for reduced tuition with groups such as the Washington National Guard. Unfortunately, without the passage of Senate Bill 6010, that authority will end on June 30, 2001. SB 6010 would make the authority permanent.
This update is shared by fax and electronic mail to friends of Washington State University as state government developments occur regarding the 2000 Legislative Session. Contact Karen Fischer, 509/335-6665 to receive a copy. Call Larry Ganders at 360/956-2165 or send him a short pager message via e-mail to 3607863527@page.metrocall.com. From WSU Campuses, Dial 8-2165. e-mail: Ganders@energy.wsu.edu. Call Jane Yung in Olympia at 360/956-2164 or pager her at 360-956-8500. For bill status and other info, visit our web page at www.olympia.wsu.edu.
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