A proposal by Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, may enable Snohomish county residents to earn a UW degree in their own backyard — or, rather, their own community.

In response to the lack of higher education opportunities available to residents of Snohomish, Skagit and Island counties, Dunshee proposed the construction of a new UW branch campus in Snohomish County. Dunshee said the initial costs involved in building a four year university dwarfed those of building a branch campus that could be built up over time as funding and resources become available.

"It's the most practical [and] logical answer to Snohomish County's higher education needs," Dunshee said. "There are those people saying 'we need our own stand alone four year university,' but I think the branch campus is the most economically feasible way to address the needs of Snohomish residents."

Among "those people" is Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett. Berkey said what her constituents really want is a four-year polytechnic university located in Everett.

According to Berkey, a committee comprised of Snohomish county state senators, representatives, community members and city and county officials met and voted in favor of a four-year comprehensive university.

"I am supporting a four-year stand alone university because that is what my community wants," she said.

A state-commissioned study of higher education needs, conducted by the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) found that Snohomish county had some of the lowest resident higher education participation rates in the state.

Plans for a four-year institution were all but scuttled last November, when the board recommended state funding be appropriated to already existing institutions of higher education.

"There is tremendous interest for higher education in that area and there are many different parties involved," said Kris Betker, a spokeswoman for the HECB.

Betker said money is set aside in the governor's new budget proposal to continue research on the area's higher education needs, but that "it's anyone's guess what as to what will come of the recommendations."

Dunshee said the chance of state- appropriated funding being approved by the legislature was almost non-existent.

"The UW regards Snohomish as inside its 'sphere of influence,'" Dunshee said. "Why not get the 800- pound gorilla on our side?"

Berkey refuted this claim.

"I have heard President Emmert say that they will support whatever our community wants," she said.

Berkey said the difference in cost between a branch campus and a four-year institution would be negligible.

The UW has no official position on the possibility of a branch campus in Snohomish.

"If the legislature decides that Rep. Dunshee's way is what they want to do, we're happy to help," said UW lobbyist Randy Hodgins. "At the same time, if the legislature wants to go with Sen. Berkey's idea, our feelings won't be hurt."

Betker said construction of any facility is unlikely in the near future, citing enormous startup costs and state-allocated higher education funds being used elsewhere.

"It's the slow-moving business of convincing people around [the capital]," Dunshee said. "The wheels are slow moving and require some grease."

Reach reporter Brian Slodysko at news@thedaily.washington.edu.