One of the most disappointing aspects of the SnoU circus has been the Everett Herald signing up as pep squad leader for the project. I understand that the editorial board is free to jump on whatever ill-conceived bandwagon that rolls by, but the editors, columnists and beat reporters have no excuse for their actions.
Anyway, I've enrolled the help of the beta product Google Alerts to help me seek out other sources of news. At Google Alerts you can enter a search criteria, some other information about delivery preferences and your email address. Click create alert and you will get a list of links in your email. See a sample of Google Alerts at left.
Here are a few articles not from the Herald:
- The UW daily covers yesterday's action by the House Higher Ed committee. They approved the Everett site only if the funding does not effect funding for existing schools.
- The UW daily covers the debate over the cost of funding the new campus. They cover the opinion of Rep. Dan Kristiansen, who is one of the few legislators not totally in favor of the idea.
- The Left Shue blog covers the infighting among democrats who want the university in Lake Stevens or Snohomish. Councilman Dave Somers is on the receiving end of the spears.
- The Seattle Times covers the removal of the funds to start class this year and gives it to existing community colleges. Originally backers wanted seed money to start classes right away. A legislative committee voted to give that money to existing community colleges until it is determined if the branch campus will really be approved.
- Crosscut.com covers branch campus bingo. Lisa Albers looks at the other UW branch campuses their structure, organization and effects on surrounding schools. She also describes similar efforts in California to create a research school. My take away on this article is we need to decide what we really want out of a new campus. If we want a world-class research facility, then lets stop pretending it is going to help local kids who can leave home.
- Crosscut.com is also discusses the issues/impacts in the conflict over funding. The author is one of the original UW geography professors to research the placement of the original branch campuses. Its a brief article, but it gives some historical perspective and raises a warning about not properly funding the campuses.
