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The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce
RESOLUTION #2007-2008 #6
Support 4-Year University in Snohomish County
WHEREAS: The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce believes that post-secondary career preparation is essential for student success in a global society; and
WHEREAS: College participation rates in Snohomish County are lower than the state average; and
WHEREAS: There is a shortage of readily available and visible post-secondary alternatives for Snohomish County residents; and
WHEREAS: Washington’s 4-year public institutions rank 49th in the nation in terms of participation according to the U.S. Department of Education; and
WHEREAS: According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington leads the nation in the number of engineers per 10,000 workers but is ranked 38th in the number of bachelors degrees granted in science and engineering; and
WHEREAS: According to the Washington State Employment Security Department, 48 percent of all job openings between 2007-2012 will be in high demand careers such as engineers, computer specialists, life science researchers; however, according to the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board, currently just 2.25 percent of students are graduating with degrees in computer sciences, 3.8 percent with engineering degrees, and 4.75 percent with life sciences degrees; and
WHEREAS: In 2006, the Legislature and Governor recognized that placing a priority on the fields of engineering, technology, biotechnology, science, computer science, and mathematics is vital to the state's economic prosperity, and expressed an intent to promote increased access, enrollment slots and degree opportunities in these fields; and
WHEREAS: Knowledge work, including math, science and polytechnic thinking, is central to the economic development of Washington State and Snohomish County; and
WHEREAS: The local advisory committee has identified a need for a four-year university with a polytechnic focus in the Snohomish, Island, and Skagit area; and
WHEREAS: Snohomish County School superintendents have already gone on record as proposing State incentives for students skilled in Math-Science; and
WHEREAS: We believe that access and visibility are essential to help increase university participation rates in the Snohomish, Island, and Skagit area.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce hereby supports and encourages the expeditious development of a four-year university that will increase accessibility for Snohomish County residents; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT, A polytechnic focus is essential for the economic development and future well being of the State of Washington in a global economy.
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