June 25, 2001

Contact: Robert Lowery (509-963-1487/ fax 509-963-2301/email loweryr@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The Yakima Valley Higher Education Center is one step closer to reality today. Civic, legislative and university officials from Central Washington University, Yakima Valley Community College (YVCC) and Washington State University gathered in Yakima today (Monday, June 25) to celebrate Washington state House and Senate approval of $16.5 million for construction of the facility.

"We've been a part of this (YVCC) campus for 20 years now," Gwen Chaplin, CWU board of trustees chair, told the gathering. "Finally, I think the presence of higher education in Yakima is going to be even more obvious, the offerings are going to be more extensive, and, what makes us most proud is, the citizens of the Yakima Valley are going to have more opportunities."

Chaplin was also quick to thank community groups that supported the project and praise lawmakers from central Washington for working to get the higher education center funded during a tight budget year.

Among the lawmakers lending support was Rep. Mary Skinner (R-Yakima), who earned her bachelor's degree in education and teaching credential from CWU in 1967. Skinner, who also attended YVCC, says the higher education center will provide economic vitality to the area.

"I've been there, in terms of the two institutions, so I know what they represent for folks who want to get ahead, get into the job market and become part of the middle class," she noted.

Rep. Barb Lisk (R-Zillah) added, "This is a tremendous asset for central Washington. As we all know, we're place-bound here. To have this learning center available for future generations is going to be just a great boon to our area and the generations to come."

The CWU Yakima Center currently offers bachelor's degree programs in elementary education and law and justice, and a master teacher program. The center also offers courses leading to bachelor's degrees in accounting, business administration and master's in education for reading specialists.

The 60,000 square-foot center will be built on the site of the existing tennis courts just to the east of Sherar Gymnasium. It will include classrooms, computer labs, videoconference rooms, student support services and offices.

The next phase will include requesting construction bids, which is expected to take place early next month. A tentative groundbreaking has been slated for Aug. 13, with the first classes to be held in the Yakima Valley higher education center in January 2003. Planning for the center began in 1996.