“The campus of the University of Washington, Tacoma, stands to benefit in its technology department if the proposed Washington State budget for 2001-03 is passed.To address a shortage of bachelor-level students in high-tech fields, the Governor proposes to spend $7.5 million in state funds and $4 million in private dollars to create a technological institute at the University of Washington’s Tacoma campus. Crucial to the development of this program will be the private-sector match, cooperative agreements with area community colleges and school districts, and a strong mission of outreach to communities. The Tacoma campus will enroll 160 students by 2003, and will include a master’s degree program.A $2 million program, called the Advanced Technology Initiative, will enable the University of Washington and Washington State University to invest in specific fields where a combination of cutting-edge research and education initiatives can create new industries or revitalize existing ones.Last year, the Legislature authorized 550 new full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollments for higher education institutions on a competitive basis to expand program capacity in high-tech and high-demand fields. The program was effective in increasing capacity at state universities for high-tech programs. The Governor 2001-03 proposes $16.8 million to increase enrollment by 1,500 high-demand FTE students in the next biennium. In the last budget, the Legislature also provided work force training and instruction grants to state universities and colleges to start up new programs or retool existing programs in high-tech and other high-demand fields. A private sector match was required. More than $3 million in state funds provided classes for more than 6,500 community college students – 2,500 FTEs – in high-demand fields like web design and computer graphics. The Governor’s 2001-03 budget includes $5 million to continue this program. The Governor is also proposing to create a $10 million fund to close the salary gap for educational institutions to recruit and retain faculty. Highly skilled faculty are being lured away by high-paying jobs or by other colleges and universities that are beginning to offer salaries competitive with industry. “