All four-year institutions in Washington state have taken significant cuts in state funding, yet the demand for college-educated workers and access to higher education has never been greater. In order for Washington students to thrive in the global economy, we must collectively recommit to supporting access to higher education. Join us in our year-long public service effort in support of our higher education institutions so today’s students can become tomorrow’s leaders.
Senate Dems' budget plan avoids deeper cuts to education
Senate Democrats will propose a budget Tuesday that spares K-12 and higher education from additional cuts, Senate Ways and Means Chairman Ed Murray said Monday.
The full story: By Andrew Garber / Seattle Times Olympia bureau
Presidents lament budget cuts draining state’s universities
Cutbacks to higher education are causing a brain drain at Washington public universities, the presidents of Washington's six four-year higher-education institutions said Wednesday.
The full story: By Katherine Long / Seattle Times higher education reporter
Higher-ed woes tied to state 'leadership vacuum'
A new report by national education experts says Washington politicians have abdicated their leadership role in higher education, leaving the state with a disjointed system that doesn’t produce enough bachelor’s degrees and forces employers to go out of state to find skilled workers.
Washington politicians have abdicated their leadership role in higher education, leaving the state with a disjointed system that doesn’t produce enough bachelor’s degrees and forces employers to go out of state — and even out of the country — to find skilled workers.
That’s the conclusion of a report from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, which noted that only 40 of every 100 Washington students who start ninth grade will enter college on time. The authors say state leaders should set “clear goals and an ambitious agenda” to increase the number of students earning bachelor’s degrees.
The full story: By Katherine Long / Seattle Times higher education reporter
Four years of major funding cuts to higher education
Washington will invest LESS in its public baccalaureate institutions in 2011-13 than it did in 1989-91 (in actual dollars). This is despite the fact that state spending will have grown from $12.7 billion to $32.4 billion and our institutions are serving 32,000 more students. For more information, please click the link below.
Download a PDF of the full presentation
Economic and Societal Impact of Higher Education
The report on this site details the economic, employment and government revenue impact of operations and research of all of the UW's campuses and affiliates. The report was prepared by Tripp Umbach, a nationally recognized consulting firm. For more information, please click the link below.
Higher Education Creates Jobs
The UW supports almost 70,000 jobs in the state of Washington—including artists, business professionals, construction project managers, doctors, engineers, graphic designers, lawyers, nurses, public servants, teachers and more. For more information, please click the link below.
Download a PDF of the full fact sheet
The UW is the major provider of highly educated workers for Washington. The UW graduates over 12,000 students each year, who then enter our workforce. Among Washington public colleges and institutions, this represents:
40% of all bachelor’s degrees
62% of all master’s degrees
75% of all doctoral degrees
72% of all professional degrees
For more information, please click the link below.
Higher education in Washington:
Graduating from high school:
One-fourth of adults have not earned a diploma. By one measure, the state's
high-school graduation rate was 16th lowest in the nation.
Going to college:
Washington lags behind most other states in the total number of bachelor's
degrees produced per capita — only 40 of every 100 students who start ninth
grade enter college on time. Hispanic students are a particular concern;
they make up 10 percent of the population but have lower graduation rates,
lower scores on standardized tests and attend college at a much lower rate.
Paying for a degree:
Tuition is skyrocketing at the same time that family income is declining.
From 1999 to 2009, the median family income declined in constant dollars by
1.9 percent. At the same time, tuition increased in constant dollars by 42.4
percent at public two-year colleges and 39.5 percent at public four-year
colleges and universities.
The full report: www.gse.upenn.edu/irhe/srp/washington
Source: "State Policy Leadership Vacuum: Performance and Policy in Washington Higher Education"
$9.1 billion in total economic impact generated by the UW in the state of Washington.
UW supports almost 70,000 direct and indirect jobs and has created 7,600 new jobs (from external funding sources) since 1999.
$618.1 million in tax revenue to state and local governments, including sales, property and business tax payments. For every $1 in state funding allocated to the UW, $1.48 in tax revenue is returned to the state.
$1 invested by the state in the UW generates $22.56 in the total state economy.
12,000 students graduate annually from the UW, and 74% of alumni stay in the state.
$394.5+ million annually in charitable donations, volunteer services and provision of free care is generated by UW staff, faculty and students.
“The Greater Good: The Future of Higher Education in Washington State”
A keynote address by F. A. Blethen Publisher of The Seattle Times. Download the keynote.
Senate Dems' budget plan avoids deeper cuts to education
Senate Democrats will propose a budget Tuesday that spares K-12 and higher education from additional cuts, Senate Ways and Means Chairman Ed Murray said Monday.
Shortchanging higher education means lost jobs
Washington will let tens of thousands of jobs get away or go to out-of-state students because of its declining level of support for higher education.
Higher-ed woes tied to state 'leadership vacuum'
A new report by national education experts says Washington politicians have abdicated their leadership role in higher education, leaving the state with a disjointed system that doesn't produce enough bachelor's degrees and forces employers to go out of state to find skilled workers.
The Seattle Times and sponsors begin a year-long campaign in support of higher education. Download the press release.
UW Impact
UW Impact thanks The Seattle Times for embarking on a public service campaign to reinforce the positive effects of state investment in higher education.
Informed advocates of the University of Washington.
Western Advocates
Western Advocates is a coalition of WWU alumni, students, faculty and
concerned citizens. Please, join us in our efforts to support Western
Washington University and higher education in Washington State.
View the campaign’s in-paper ads using the links below.
KOMO news radio interview with
John Carlson, host of KOMO news radio’s Newsline A.M. invited Frank Blethen to discuss The Seattle Times’ Greater good Campaign and the importance of higher-education funding in Washington state. You can listen to the to the December 8, 2011 interview here.
Jeremy's story:
Higher education budget cuts and tuition increases have affected people across Washington state, but students from middle class families have been hit the hardest. Jeremy's parents have not paid any of his tuition, so he's been trying to pay his own way toward his political science degree. This is his story. (4:09)
Ashley's story:
Ashley is the oldest of six children and the first in her family to
attend college. Without work study, a Pell Grant, and a State Need Grant,
Ashley would not be able to attend Western. More cuts to higher education
will make it impossible for students like Ashley to go to college. This
is her story. (2:23)
An unprecedented decline in state funding for the UW. (3:17)
The UW is steadfast in its commitment to education and the state. (3:21)
The UW gives back: donations, community service and a $9.1 billion impact on the state economy. (4:48)
