High Tech Proposal Wins Allies Proposed $40 Million Network Makes Inroads In House

University officials who want $40 million for a download of high technology linked up with a new ally this week.

The state’s community colleges are joining a proposed Washington Higher Education Network.

The move expands the geographical reach of the proposed network, but it also guarantees that most lawmakers would see a tangible benefit in their districts.

The strategy may be working.

Some House Republicans earlier this week said they would frown on new spending projects during the current 60-day session. But college and university leaders showed up to make their pitch Thursday, and at least one leading House conservative softened immediately.

On Wednesday, House Capital Budget Committee Chairman Barry Sehlin, R-Oak Harbor, said only emergency projects would get funding through his committee.

At the hearing, he went so far as to tell officials they really didn’t need to describe the wonders of the technology.

“We anticipate this being the direction of higher education in the future,” Sehlin said.

College officials said technology would make classes more widely available across the state, and make it easier for greater numbers of students to earn degrees.

A big chunk of the money would go for two-way video classrooms. The rest would go for an array of computer enhancements such as Internet access, data transmission and electronic mail.

When the plan was announced last fall at a cost of $35 million, the state’s 32 community colleges were left out.

Now, the universities are including their community college cousins in the network for another $5 million.

The $40 million marriage is getting a warm reception.

“If it gets put to a vote it will fly,” said Sen. Eugene Prince, R-Thornton, whose district includes the universities at Pullman and Cheney.

The interactive video aspect is particularly attractive to lawmakers because it would allow students to take classes from four-year schools in places such as Colville and Prosser.

This is seen as a partial solution to an expected influx of new students in coming years.

During committee hearings, Prince lauded educators for their cooperation in the network proposal, noting it has been rare in the past.

Sen. Al Bauer, D-Vancouver, chairman of the Higher Education Committee, said the addition of smaller schools has increased support.

“Most legislators would agree that adding them makes it much more attractive,” Bauer said.

Terry Brown, the chief executive of the Community Colleges of Spokane, said lawmakers should take advantage of any surplus in tax money this winter to approve the project.

He said it is a mistake to wait until next year because the money could get spent on other needs.

Brown said technology can be used to educate more students without the cost of new classroom buildings, and educating more students will strengthen the state’s workforce and economy, he said.

“This is not an expense,” he said. “It’s an investment.”

, DataTimes