March 6, 2002
Contact: Ann Anderson (509-963-2111/fax 509-963-3206/e-mail anderann@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The state Senate has approved a $350,000 capital expenditure revision for Central Washington University (CWU) at Pierce Community College/Ft. Steilacoom campus.
“Our partnership and our request to spend the money more wisely is an illustration of good government,” explained Ann Anderson, CWU government relations director and former state legislator. “I believe that’s a reason why the Senate approved the change.”
The CWU Steilacoom Center, located in portable buildings on the Pierce campus, offers upper-division courses leading to baccalaureate degrees. Included in CWU’s current capital budget is $350,000 for renovation of these portables. However, long-range plans call for them to be razed.
“When we looked at this with the folks at Pierce College we thought, ‘Why make improvements to buildings that will eventually be demolished,’” Anderson recalls. “So we began thinking about actually becoming a tenant in one of their new buildings.”
Pierce/Ft. Steilacoom has started construction on the first portion of the Olympic South Building, located at the northwest end of campus. Pierce indicates the building will accommodate the space necessary for CWU’s operations. Anderson says the $350,000 is sufficient to make interior improvements that will better serve CWU than the current portables.
“We’re grateful to the Senate for seeing the value in this revision and the wise use of resources,” Anderson praises. “Michele Johnson, Pierce College/Ft. Steilacoom president, and other members of the staff at Pierce have been absolutely wonderful to work with. This truly is an illustration of the great work that can be accomplished when a community college and four-year institution work together.”
CWU enjoys similar relationships with several community colleges throughout Washington. The state House is expected to approve the language amendment within the next week.
