December 5, 2002
Contact: Robert Lowery (509-963-1487/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: loweryr@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The next step toward offering a new
Central Washington University bachelor of science degree in
environmental geological sciences will be taken by the university’s
board of trustees during its Dec. 6 regular meeting beginning a 1 p.m.
in Barge 412 on the Ellensburg campus.
Gwen Chaplin, Yakima, chairs the eight-member board, which is
expected to approve the proposal already approved by the university
faculty senate, to begin offering the new course. The Washington
Higher Education Coordinating Board also must approve the new course.
Trustees will consider approving a joint resolution with
Highline Community College (HCC) concerning support for a collaborative
education center involving CWU and HCC and determining that the
governing boards of both institutions will work collaboratively to
encourage gubernatorial and legislative support for the project.
As proposed, the new facility would become the permanent site
for CWU-SeaTac. Since 1976, CWU has had a higher educational presence
in the Puget Sound region, providing opportunities for time and
place-bound or economically disadvantaged students to earn
baccalaureate and master’s degrees.
The presidents of both CWU and HCC signed a letter of
agreement in support of the higher education center in 1999. They have
recently signed a project charter, which outlines collaboration during
and after the construction of the facility on elements of construction,
funding requests, furnishings, equipment and operations.
The BOT is also expected to ratify a new contract with the
Washington Federation of State Employees, authorize student activity
and fee supplemental allocations and approve a military leave
resolution. The resolution entitles university employees called to
active service to military leave of absence with normal pay for a
period not to exceed 15 days during each year beginning Oct.1 and
ending the following Sept. 30. If the military call-up results in an
extended military leave of absence, employees would be entitled to
reinstatement to their former positions, or equivalent positions.
A variety of personnel matters rounds out the agenda.
In addition to its 1 p.m. meeting, the CWU governing board
will hold individual committee sessions -- on academic affairs,
resource development and student affairs -- at 10 a.m., in Barge 410.
For additional information about the BOT meeting, or for
persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call
(509) 963-2111, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-3323.
