
Evergreen State College, nestled in Olympia, Washington, is contemplating a major shift in its focus due to an alarming drop in student enrollment.
To address the increasing demand for health care professionals in the state, State Senator John Braun has suggested that the college’s operations be integrated into the University of Washington, with a strong emphasis on strengthening health sciences education.
Response to Declining Enrollment
This proposal by Senator Braun arises from two primary concerns: the stagnation of enrollment at Evergreen and the looming demographic shift, often called the “silver tsunami,” which anticipates a rise in Washington’s older population.
As the Republican minority leader, Braun highlighted the urgent need to prioritize health care worker education to cater to this aging demographic effectively.
Recent data underscores the difficulties faced by Evergreen.
The college has experienced a notable decline in enrollment over the years, with a local media report pointing to complications with the federal student aid application process as a potential factor behind this trend.
Future Proposals and Legislative Review
Currently, the proposed legislation is under review by the Senate’s higher education and workforce development committee.
While attempts to reach out to committee chair, Senator T’wina Nobles, were unsuccessful, Evergreen State College has remained silent regarding this initiative.
In conversations with industry leaders, Braun voiced his belief that expanding the trained health care workforce is vital for adequately supporting Washington’s elderly residents.
He noted that the current state of declining interest at Evergreen presents a unique opportunity to reconsider how the college could better serve the community’s demands.
Braun emphasized that Evergreen’s full-time enrollment has plummeted to figures not seen since the early 1980s.
With a current tally of 2,386 students, this represents a significant reduction compared to enrollment levels from 2009 to 2011.
Proactive Strategies for Workforce Support
Some constituents have raised concerns about the prospect of campus closure, but Braun mentioned that Governor Bob Ferguson has expressed a certain level of interest in the proposal, even though no formal commitments have been made yet.
Concerns regarding the financial ramifications of revamping the current campus arose among some of Braun’s Senate colleagues.
Nevertheless, he highlighted that the funding now allocated to the college offers a solid foundation for investing in a workforce dedicated to assisting the older population.
As Washington braces for a rise in older residents alongside a potential shortage of caregivers, Senator Braun champions this college repurposing as a proactive strategy to tackle an approaching workforce crisis.
Braun stressed the need for incremental improvements in the state’s health care labor force.
He framed this initiative as a sensible approach that could foster political consensus while promoting beneficial outcomes.
On a broader scale, Washington has started to implement measures to meet the needs of its aging population.
In 2019, the state legislature passed a payroll tax designed to fund long-term care insurance.
The “WA Cares” program offers a maximum lifetime benefit of $36,500, which is adjusted for inflation.
A recent attempt to shift this program from a mandatory to a voluntary basis faced backlash from anti-tax groups, resulting in a decisive rejection by Washington voters.
This outcome reinforces the commitment to preserving essential services for older residents, ensuring they receive the care they need as the state navigates significant demographic changes.
Source: Housingwire