approval from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and new accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The proposed degree must align with the college’s mission and fill a need unmet by other colleges and universities in the region. As part of the application process, our colleges are required to solicit input from nearby colleges and universities. Our professional-technical degrees are non-transferrable, so without this option, our students would have nowhere else to go to build up to a 4-year degree that is in-demand within their field. Applied baccalaureate degrees were approved by the Legislature after years of discussion and analysis throughout the higher education community in Washington, including the Council of Presidents. Cross-sector communication was inadequate — Communication between higher education sectors in Washington state has always been a priority. CWU bypassed the first step in the ICAPP process, the idea stage, and proceeded directly to the proposal stage. Regional partners were given no advance notice or opportunity for discussion. CWU informally notified leadership of Yakima Valley College in the Fall of 2022, although no opportunity was provided for input or discussion. In an atmosphere of decreased enrollments, increased competition from non-state institutions, and tightened budgets, CWU’s proposal creates unnecessary duplication of degrees that are already broadly available in nearby colleges. It creates unnecessary competition rather than collaboration to serve the higher education needs of the region. As such, we respectfully request that this proposal not be affirmed for further development and consideration. Respectfully,
Paul Francis Executive Director Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Cc: Council of Presidents
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker