Our Voice: WSU interim president able to make a difference
Washington State University’s interim President Dan Bernardo has been in his position for only eight weeks, but already appears to be more than just a place-holder until the WSU Board of Regents can make a permanent hire.
We appreciate that.
Bernardo visited the Tri-Cities last week and discussed goals for the WSU branch campus in Richland, which started the new school year Aug. 24. This was an encouraging overture because WSU Tri-Cities is ready for some major growth.
It would be a shame if the momentum that has been building at the campus is stalled because WSU leadership is in flux. Bernardo, who was WSU vice president before the death of Elson Floyd, appears capable of moving the WSU system forward while he is in charge. He brings a sense of dedication and enthusiasm to the job, which is admirable.
With that in mind, we would like to see continued progress at WSU Tri-Cities, including the construction of campus housing.
The hint that student housing at WSU Tri-Cities might be a possibility surfaced at the end of 2014. Since then, university officials have kept the details quiet.
But the Port of Benton designated 40 acres of land near the campus as surplus, which has allowed it to begin discussions with a developer on a purchase price. The land potentially being pursued sits along the Columbia River bordered by University Drive to the south and Battelle Boulevard to the north — a perfect location for students to live.
It is unclear how long it might take for the port and the developer to reach a sale price for the property, but this is an exciting development that should be pushed.
Bernardo has toured branch campuses around the state since taking over his leadership role, and said the vision is for WSU to be a unified system. Student housing should play a role in that philosophy.
Students will not move within the system if they struggle to find affordable housing.
Construction of student housing also would help WSU Tri-Cities become a destination campus for wine science production.
The $23 million Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center was christened in June and opened for classes last week. This is the most technologically advanced facility of its kind in the world.
With Washington the second largest U.S. wine producer after California, the new facility could make the Tri-Cities known worldwide for its wine research and production.
But the research facility needs students and students need a place to live. If WSU Tri-Cities is going to grow, it needs to offer student housing.
Bernardo may be in a temporary position, but he can still make a difference. If he could help seal the deal for campus housing at the branch campus, the community would be forever grateful.
This story was originally published August 31, 2015 at 12:34 PM with the headline "Our Voice: WSU interim president able to make a difference."