The Olympian

Issue date: 1/29/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Jon Miller

Media Credit: Jon Miller [Click to enlarge]

A recently conducted study by the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance shows a need for local baccalaureate programs, which means a four-year university center is still in consideration for Kitsap County.
Although Kitsap County does not have a four-year institution, there is quite a bit of talk about one for the future. The details of exactly where, when, and how have yet to be disclosed, but there is no plan to make Olympic College a four-year school.
Some Kitsap County residents are pushing for a university center, which would allow people to travel to multiple sites, or stay home to take courses but still graduate from a specific university. This benefits people who live long distances from a university, and helps people who can't learn in a traditional environment.
"Washington's higher education system is not producing enough bachelor's and advanced degrees to meet demand," said Dr. Charlotte Garrido, the head of research for the possible baccalaureate program.
Garrido spoke at a variety of community meetings at high school campuses in the greater Kitsap area, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Kitsap County, to discuss her baccalaureate research with the public. Garrido spoke about why there is a need for a university center in the area; a population growth, changing demographics, the economic dynamism, and retiring baby boomers.
"Employers and industries were surveyed, and about 55 percent offered tuition reimbursement and partner with training programs," said Garrido. "I was surprised with such a good number; it is a very good start."
According to her research, a major problem is people who receive their degrees from universities are attending in other counties, which corresponds with where those young adults end up working. Garrido noted in her research that Kitsap County employers look for possible employees who have computer skills and business education, but 85 percent have difficulties filling the positions. She said a university center could help solve this shortage of educated and skilled workers.
"I think it would be a good idea to have a university in Kitsap County because it would help a lot of students that live here not have to travel so far away," said Kathryn Grindstaff, an OC student. "Rather than to go somewhere like UW or any other university, it would just take 5 minutes to drive there."
Even though just 35 percent of Kitsap County residents said they would attend a bachelor-level program, the ones who are interested seem eager for such a development. But there is the matter of what kind of baccalaureate program should be built for the county; a regional branch four-year, a new regional four-year, or the university center model. The instructional delivery systems, at any sort of program, would include a self-paced program, along with face-to-face, telecom, and hybrid programs. Though some people question if these systems are efficient.
"A lot of institutions like the hybrid model because some students need that human contact," said Garrido.
Dr. Sandra Cross, a representative for Western Washington University , said she thinks non-traditional campus would really work in Kitsap County.
A plan for a four-year institution in Kitsap County has yet to be decided, but Cross said a university center is, "the wave of the future."

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