Enrollment continues to increase at UW Bothell Enrollment continues to increase at UW Bothell

Officials for the University of Washington Bothell campus say growth is the buzzword for the current academic year, in terms of both enrollment and also growth of academic programs and facilities.

On Oct. 7, the school announced a 21 percent increase in students from fall 2007. The school now boasts 1,899 full-time equivalent students.

The figures reflect a 58 percent increase in freshmen, a 14 percent increase in transfer students and a 22 percent increase in graduate students.

“These enrollment increases are true indicators that UW Bothell is growing stronger with every year,” said school Chancellor Kenyon Chan. “In fact, UW-Bothell has seen a 10 percent or greater increase in enrollment for each of the last four years, demonstrating that this institution is an effective regional investment.”

In August, the school unveiled a 10- to 15-year master plan dubbed “The 21st Century Campus Initiative” that outlined goals and growth strategies for the future. According to Chan, the overall aim is to increase UW-Bothell’s student enrollment to 5,000 by 2020.

“These enrollment increases reflect the growing demand for higher education and students’ confidence in the programs and faculty of UW-Bothell,” added UW Provost Phyllis Wise. “The campus is growing and and its trajectory is definitely upward.”

Those new students may have been attracted by new academic offerings the school also is touting. New programs were added in the areas of environmental science and cultural studies. Existing programs also saw expansion, such as the addition of an accounting track to the school’s business offerings. The campus was to add 12 additional faculty members to preside over the new classes.

According to information released by the school, future academic expansion may see courses and degree offerings in biology, electrical engineering, digital entertainment and interactive media, among others, which are projected to begin in fall 2009. Later years may see programs in visual arts, as well as foreign languages and culture.

In the past, the Bothell campus had offered five undergraduate and six graduate degrees in the areas of business, education, nursing, computer sciences and interdisciplinary arts and sciences.

“A lot of the students who came here were working full time and it was difficult for them to commute anywhere else,” said UW-Bothell Vice-Chancellor Susan Jeffords. “More students are choosing the school now because of its program and we’re attracting students from a broader region.”

Probably predictably, physical growth is planned along with academic growth. Director of public relations and communications for the campus, Elizabeth Fischtziur said in a press release that pre-design plans for the campus’ third building are underway. She added the I-405/SR 522 campus access off ramp project is projected to meet its fall 2009 completion date.

To help keep a handle on traffic headed to an expanding UW-Bothell, the off ramp was required by the city of Bothell.

Campus expansion plans do have at least one potential roadblock, namely funding. Next year, the state legislature is set to once again take up the issue of placing a new UW branch campus in northern Snohomish County, with possible locations including downtown Everett or in Marysville. New campus talks bogged down earlier this year as legislators argued over site selection.

“At this point there are many unknowns,” Fischtziur stated. “That said, we are doing our best to meet the needs given the current resources that exist.”

Fischtziur declined to comment on whether expansion of UW-Bothell might come into direct competition for funding with the potential new campus. She did say the Bothell branch has a government and community relations officer ready to work with law makers in Olympia.

Further, Fischtziur stated the Bothell campus saw a 53 percent increase in the number of freshmen coming from Snohomish County, along with a 23 percent increase in transfers from Snohomish.

Officials for the University of Washington Bothell campus say growth is the buzzword for the current academic year, in terms of both enrollment and also growth of academic programs and facilities.

On Oct. 7, the school announced a 21 percent increase in students from fall 2007. The school now boasts 1,899 full-time equivalent students.

The figures reflect a 58 percent increase in freshmen, a 14 percent increase in transfer students and a 22 percent increase in graduate students.

“These enrollment increases are true indicators that UW Bothell is growing stronger with every year,” said school Chancellor Kenyon Chan. “In fact, UW-Bothell has seen a 10 percent or greater increase in enrollment for each of the last four years, demonstrating that this institution is an effective regional investment.”

In August, the school unveiled a 10- to 15-year master plan dubbed “The 21st Century Campus Initiative” that outlined goals and growth strategies for the future. According to Chan, the overall aim is to increase UW-Bothell’s student enrollment to 5,000 by 2020.

“These enrollment increases reflect the growing demand for higher education and students’ confidence in the programs and faculty of UW-Bothell,” added UW Provost Phyllis Wise. “The campus is growing and and its trajectory is definitely upward.”

Those new students may have been attracted by new academic offerings the school also is touting. New programs were added in the areas of environmental science and cultural studies. Existing programs also saw expansion, such as the addition of an accounting track to the school’s business offerings. The campus was to add 12 additional faculty members to preside over the new classes.

According to information released by the school, future academic expansion may see courses and degree offerings in biology, electrical engineering, digital entertainment and interactive media, among others, which are projected to begin in fall 2009. Later years may see programs in visual arts, as well as foreign languages and culture.

In the past, the Bothell campus had offered five undergraduate and six graduate degrees in the areas of business, education, nursing, computer sciences and interdisciplinary arts and sciences.

“A lot of the students who came here were working full time and it was difficult for them to commute anywhere else,” said UW-Bothell Vice-Chancellor Susan Jeffords. “More students are choosing the school now because of its program and we’re attracting students from a broader region.”

Probably predictably, physical growth is planned along with academic growth. Director of public relations and communications for the campus, Elizabeth Fischtziur said in a press release that pre-design plans for the campus’ third building are underway. She added the I-405/SR 522 campus access off ramp project is projected to meet its fall 2009 completion date.

To help keep a handle on traffic headed to an expanding UW-Bothell, the off ramp was required by the city of Bothell.

Campus expansion plans do have at least one potential roadblock, namely funding. Next year, the state legislature is set to once again take up the issue of placing a new UW branch campus in northern Snohomish County, with possible locations including downtown Everett or in Marysville. New campus talks bogged down earlier this year as legislators argued over site selection.

“At this point there are many unknowns,” Fischtziur stated. “That said, we are doing our best to meet the needs given the current resources that exist.”

Fischtziur declined to comment on whether expansion of UW-Bothell might come into direct competition for funding with the potential new campus. She did say the Bothell branch has a government and community relations officer ready to work with law makers in Olympia.

Further, Fischtziur stated the Bothell campus saw a 53 percent increase in the number of freshmen coming from Snohomish County, along with a 23 percent increase in transfers from Snohomish.

Bothell Reporter Reporter Tom Corrigan can be reached at tcorrigan@bothell-reporter.com or (425) 483-3732, ext. 5052.

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