Budget crisis calls for student mobility at UW Bothell

By Jasleena Grewal

On Wed, Nov. 2, University of Washington, Bothell students expressed outrage and anxiety in response to Rep. Kathy Haigh’s recommendation to close higher institution branch campuses in Washington state—namely, UW Bothell and Washington State University, Tri-Cities.

Haigh claimed that branch campuses drain state money, which could be channeled towards larger institutions. "It’s going to be a conversation we’re going to have to have in the legislature. There is a significant amount of money, when you have programs, buildings you have to keep up, and all those operations costs you have," Haigh said.

Students were eager to respond to these allegations, arguing that UW Bothell is far more than an operation cost.

Freddie Hensen, president of the Associated Students of University of Washington, Bothell (ASUWB) rebutted Haigh’s proposal, urging politicians to take into account the institution's positive impact on both students and the state economy. "Our campus has an annual state economic impact of $191 million, and adds more revenue each year," Hensen said.

Hensen presented a long list of accomplishments that the Bothell campus has achieved, including recently being named the largest branch campus in the state. He also included statistics claiming UW Bothell is the fastest growing branch campus on the west coast, as well as one of the most ethnically diverse universities in the nation.

He emphasized the critical need for students to mobilize and to respond to the issue, stating that “we need to let legislators know that we are going to be severely impacted by the cuts.”

 On Nov. 4, Rep. Larry Seaquist, an avid supporter of progressive campuses such as UW Bothell, met with students and members of ASUWB in Chancellor Chan’s Rose Room to discuss the importance of investing in higher education.

Seaquist quickly put Haigh’s comments into context, acknowledging that the closure of branch campuses was an option put on the table during budget planning, but that it was quickly labeled as an “awful” solution to saving funds in a squandering economy.

“Investing in higher institutions is the ladder out of a recession,” Seaquist said.

Seaquist emphasized the need for student activism and advocated for the mobilization of the student body in order to push legislation into investing more money in higher education, rather than making another round of cuts. He suggested a “theatrical event” fed by personal stories from affected students, claiming that “[higher education supporters] need every one of you to help make the case” for increased investment of funds.

“Politicians need personal stories,” Seaquist said, warning that anecdotes may influence their decisions more than statistics. He urged students to act swiftly, claiming that only 51 letters of appeal are necessary for legislation to be forced to revise the bill.

Emily Olson, a Policy Studies graduate student, affirmed Seaquist’s emphasis on using personal stories to influence politicians. Olson recounted her legislative experience in Olympia, and the critical nature of specific and contextual anecdotal evidence.

“I paid attention to what legislators cared about and didn’t care about. When a lobbyist came in with their suitcase and graphs, they were quickly brushed off,” Olson said. “But when a constituent walked into the office sans statistics and suit, and said, ‘Hey, these cuts are really affecting me and my family,’ [the legislators] immediately responded.”

The final decision is expected to be made during the upcoming special session, which begins in Olympia on Nov. 28.

Shahin Mortazavi, ASUWB director of business and government relations, is working with Hensen and Olson to organize rallies, letter-writing events, and a trip to Olympia to directly voice concerns to legislators.

Students are encouraged to join the Washington Student Association, UW Bothell chapter, where event information and announcements will be available. Students may contact ASUWB members who are leading the effort by referring to the ASUWB webpage.