Pros and cons of online university proposal explored in newspaper columns

The Seattle Times editorial page today offered contrasting views of a proposal in the Legislature to expand higher education opportunities by creating a partnership between the state and the online Western Governor’s University (WGU).

Writing in favor of the proposal is Robert W. Mendenhall, president of Western Governor’s University.  Opposing the measure in a separate column is Johann Neem, an Associate Professor of History at Western Washington University.

SHB 1822, which would establish the state partnership with WGU, passed the House in late February and is currently in the Senate Rules Committee.  A companion measure, SB 5136, was not passed by the Senate.  For more on the WGU legislation, see this earlier post in the HECB Legislative Report.