The University’s plan to construct a UW North Puget Sound Campus stalled in legislation and cannot be proposed again until next year.

The future of the campus is unclear, said Randy Hodgins, the UW’s director of state relations.

“I don’t know if it’s going to happen next year,” he said. “All I can say is it’s been stalled for the time being.”

Student responses concerning the potential North Puget Sound campus varied.

Zach Christopher, a junior from Marysville, resides in McMahon Hall and would love a four-year university closer to home, he said.

“I wouldn’t have to pay to live at the dorms,” he said.

Other students say the new campus would not make a difference to them.

“I’d still stay at UW-Seattle,” said freshman Victoria Pontrantolfi, who commutes from her Everett apartment Sunday through Friday. On some days, she stays as late as 1:30 a.m., working at Ian’s Domain in McCarty Hall.

The cause for the delay was twofold. First, there was disagreement on the location of the campus. It was a competition between four sites — two in Everett, one in Marysville and one in Lake Stevens.

In March, legislation gave $100,000 to the Higher Education Coordinating Board, asking members to bring the board of Snohomish County together in an effort to develop a consensus on a location.

The Pacific Station in Everett was chosen as the top site, although a decision was not reached at the end of the legislative session.

“The proponents of the campus have claimed that Snohomish County is the largest county in the United States without a four-year university,” Hodgins said.

Another concern was the cost of building a new campus.

“[Some legislators] didn’t feel the state had a lot of money to build new campuses,” Hodgins said.

Some studies seem to justify the need for a new university.

“It was a big issue,” Rep. Mike Sells (D-Everett) said. “Where would you get the money?”

The proposed university would focus on science, engineering, technology and mathematics. Unlike the UW campuses at Bothell and Tacoma, the North Puget Sound campus would include student housing.

An analysis of potential student demand for a campus showed that in 20 to 25 years, student enrollment could grow to 5,000.

Students, however, remained unsure they would take advantage of student housing at a UW-Everett campus.

Kayla Johnson, a junior who busses weekdays from Lake Stevens, would stay at the UW-Seattle, even if a campus was built closer to home.

“UW’s so nice,” Johnson said. “I love the idea of going somewhere that’s historically significant and has a past. … I’d never be able to give up Suzzallo.”

[Reach reporter Joy Yagi at news@thedaily.washington.edu]