(1) In 1989, the legislature created five branch campuses to be operated by the state's two public research universities. Located in growing urban areas, the branch campuses were charged with two missions:

     (a) Increasing access to higher education by focusing on upper division and graduate programs, targeting placebound students, and operating as models of a two plus two educational system in cooperation with the community colleges; and

     (b) Promoting regional economic development by responding to demand for degrees from local businesses and supporting regional economies through research activities.

     (2) Fifteen years later, the legislature finds that branch campuses are responding to their original mission:

     (a) Branch campuses accounted for half of statewide upper division and graduate public enrollment growth since 1990;

     (b) Branch campuses have grown steadily and enroll increasing numbers of transfer students each year;

     (c) Branch campuses enroll proportionately more older and part-time students than their main campuses and attract increasing proportions of students from nearby counties;

     (d) Although the extent of their impact has not been measured, branch campuses positively affect local economies and offer degree programs that roughly correspond with regional occupational projections; and

     (e) The capital investments made by the state to support branch campuses represent a significant benefit to regional economic development.

     (3) However, the legislature also finds the policy landscape in higher education has changed since the original creation of the branch campuses. Demand for access to baccalaureate and graduate education is increasing rapidly. Economic development efforts increasingly recognize the importance of focusing on local and regional economic clusters and improving collaboration among communities, businesses, and colleges and universities. Each branch campus has evolved into a unique institution, and it is appropriate to assess the nature of this evolution to ensure the role and mission of each campus is aligned with the state's higher education goals and the needs of the region where the campus is located.

     (4) Therefore, it is the legislature's intent to recognize the unique nature of Washington's higher education branch campuses, reaffirm the role and mission of each, and set the course for their continued future development.

     (5) It is the further intent of the legislature that the campuses be identified by the following names: University of Washington Bothell, University of Washington Tacoma, Washington State University Tri-Cities, and Washington State University Vancouver.

[2004 c 57 § 1.]