UW Town Hall Meeting shows community spirit

Next stop – Legislature BY PAM STEVENS | EDITOR The University of Washington North is coming to Snohomish County. The big question is where?

After the UW Town Hall Meeting on Monday, Oct. 29 it is clear to see that many in Lake Stevens and the surrounding towns are anxious to see the campus built right here in Lake Stevens.

Hundreds of people packed Cavelero Mid High to show support of a four-year campus here and have their questions answered by the UW Commission which included a representative from NBBJ, an unbiased independent agency who is completing the site determination proposals for the state and university officials.

The Commission started by thanking everyone for coming with a brief summary of how the final four sites were chosen and just exactly what they are looking for in the future home of University of Washington North.
The big question was, ‘what do the people in this area want to see in a university campus?’ After a quick PowerPoint presentation and a few words from the commission, the floor was opened up to those in attendance to share what their expectations are and what they want a university campus to offer the students who will attend.

Many began lining up at the microphones.

High school and middle school students from Lake Stevens, Snohomish and even Woodinville filled the auditorium and stood up to share the desires for their upcoming college education.

“I’ve always had an interest in writing, and I have always wanted to write stories,” Kelsey Yoshizawa, Sophomore Class Treasurer and Secretary said. “I also have a strong interest in engineering classes like aeronautical engineering so it would be really cool if there was a UW campus here in Lake Stevens.”

Other students wanted to share their ideas of a future education and what their interests were.

“Even at a young age, I was fascinated by how things work,” Aaron Morphy, Lake Stevens High School ASB Vice-President said. “I want to learn about avionics, chemical, mechanics, and electronics and everything I see on the news and how they work.”

Parents and teachers also expressed what they hope their children and students can expect from a UW campus here in Snohomish County. Most wanted a four-year campus experience with extracurricular activities and dorms so students can get the true freshman experience.

Senator Steve Hobbs, who has headed up the Snohomish County Coalition for Higher Education (SCCHE), thanked the commission for coming to hear from the citizens of Lake Stevens and Snohomish. He also reminded everyone there to contact their representatives in Congress and let them know that they would like to see a UW campus here in the Lake Stevens area.

“I want everyone to pay attention to the process because this is going to the Legislature. So make sure when we’re in session starting in Jan. you contact your representatives, and in this area it’s Hans Dunshee and John Lovick. You will need to contact Dave Somers because he’s your County Councilman,” Hobbs said. “Some of them are on the fence, and you as a community have to remind them that they are your elected officials and they are there for you.”

Mayor Vern Little and many other city council members along with others running for council stood up to share their thoughts on the great community Lake Stevens is and their hopes for a future UW campus here in the midst of it.

The evening was a huge success with Husky colors draped all over the Cavelero commons. The hard part now is the waiting.

All of those in favor of bringing a University of Washington campus to Lake Stevens can sign a petition here.

BRING THE UW NORTH TO LAKE STEVENS

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