As many of you know, Washington State University earlier this year began conversations with Bellevue College about a potential partnership. Over the course of the past several months, a WSU team has been working with a team from Bellevue College to explore many of the issues surrounding such a relationship.

That work has resulted in the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding that both institutions have agreed to. Basically, the MOU commits both parties to continue the conversation with the goal of establishing WSU-Bellevue College, an open access institution offering both two-year and four-year degrees. It is unlikely that this relationship would follow the “one university, geographically dispersed” model of our urban campuses or WSU North Puget Sound at Everett. Rather, WSU-Bellevue College would be a separately accredited institution for delivery of two-year and selected four-year degrees.

Obviously, there are many issues and details to be resolved, but the possibilities are exciting to consider. I will keep you posted as the conversation evolves.