President Schulz to participate in symposium about the value of public research universities - May 2

 

President Schulz to participate in symposium about the value of public research universities

 

Media Contact:

Lorraine Nelson, Washington State University Spokane communications, 509-368-6671, lanelson@wsu.edu

Ann Goos, Washington State University, government relations, 206-465-5136, ann.goos@wsu.edu

 

SPOKANE, Wash. - Washington State University President Kirk Schulz will serve as a panelist at a symposium on Tuesday, May 2, that will examine the importance of public research universities in creating an educated citizenry and a robust national research enterprise.

 

The symposium will take place from 3-5 p.m. at the University of Washington Student Union Building 160 (Lyceum) in Seattle. A reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. will follow.

 

Abraham Lincoln’s vision

The symposium is part of The Lincoln Project, a national initiative of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS) named for President Abraham Lincoln, who in 1862 signed into law the Morrill Act, which created the nation’s modern system of land-grant universities.

 

“Recommitting to Lincoln’s Vision: An Educational Compact for the 21st Century,” is one in a series of similar forums held across the country by the AAAS. During the past three years, The Lincoln Project has studied the challenges facing public research universities, particularly focused on current and changing financial models and how that has affected the ability of public universities to meet their educational, research and public service mission.

 

Critical investment

“The national investment in public higher education played an instrumental role in our country’s competiveness in the 20th century, and that investment is more critical as the 21st century evolves,” Schulz said. “Higher education is essential to preparing the next generation for careers of the future — we believe government must continue to share in this investment so that access to higher education, regardless of family income, is assured.”

 

Daniel Greenstein, director of Education, Postsecondary Success in the United States Program for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will deliver keynote remarks. University of California, Berkeley Chancellor Emeritus Bob Birgeneau, who co-chaired The Lincoln Project, will discuss the project and its recommendations. Greenstein and Schulz will join University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce and former Washington Governor Christine Gregoire for a panel discussion.

 

Margaret O’Mara, UW associate professor of history, will moderate the discussion.

 

Three strategies to ensure research

 

The Lincoln Project recommends three strategies to ensure the wellbeing of public research institutions and the communities they serve:

 

• Address current financial challenges through renewed state support and new cost efficiencies and additional revenue streams at public research universities

 

• Create public-private partnerships to sustain and strengthen research and education for the future

 

• Improve student access and performance by simplifying financial aid, tracking student performance and improving transfer pathways

 

The Lincoln Project published a series of five publications that present key facts about public research universities; examine the challenges facing higher education funding at the state level; discuss current and changing financial models of public research universities; and consider the myriad impacts of the research conducted at these institutions. In its final report, the Lincoln Project offered substantive recommendations for sustaining these institutions and advancing their growth for the benefits of the states they serve and the nation as a whole.

 

WSU contributions

Some of WSU’s recent contributions in the Spokane area include:

 

• Teaching Health Clinic

Creation of the clinic on the WSU Spokane campus increased the number of medical resident positions for Spokane. The clinic serves patients from the underserved population while allowing students in pharmacy, nursing and other health professions to participate on the care teams.

 

• Nursing education collaboration

To educate nurses in Spokane, WSU collaborates with Eastern Washington University, Whitworth University, Spokane Community Colleges, the University of Washington physician’s assistant program, the Washington Air National Guard and more.

 

• Community health fairs

Students and faculty hold health fairs for the community on campus and at community centers and provide services such as blood pressure checks and cholesterol checks and a limited number of free flu vaccinations.

 

• Mumps vaccinations

Pharmacy students mobilized this year to provide mumps vaccinations in partnership with the Spokane Regional Health District and a private pharmacy retailer.

 

• Top educator of registered nurses in Washington

WSU’s College of Nursing graduates more registered nurses than any other institution in the state and is one of the largest providers of RNs in the western U.S.