WSU Health Sciences Spokane Extra | Washington State University

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Medical School Bills Land in Budget Committees

February 18, 2015 kevin_dudley

Today, Senate Bill 5487 – commonly known as the medical school bill – is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee, the committee that tackles budget issues related to legislative bills. The medical school bill in the House – House Bill 1559 – has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee. A hearing for that bill is yet to be determined.

A story in The Spokesman-Review today called these events a “detour,” and that’s indeed what this is – not a roadblock, not a setback. Just a detour.

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Cathy McMorris Rodgers Visits WSU Spokane Campus

February 17, 2015 kevin_dudley

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers visited our campus today for a handful of meetings.

First, she met with the leaders of our area universities to discuss higher education issues at the federal level, pictured above with Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh, Eastern Washington University President Mary Cullinan, Whitworth Chief of Staff Rhosetta Rhodes and WSU President Elson Floyd. Not pictured: Community Colleges of Spokane Chancellor Christine Johnson, who was also at the meeting.

She then made an appearance at a free tax filing seminar held on our campus through the IRS and the Computer and Communications Industry Association.

She wrapped up her visit by joining Chancellor Lisa Brown and saw the demolition work happening in the Pierone warehouse, which is where the University District Health Clinic will sit next spring.

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To WSU Spokane, With Love

February 13, 2015 kevin_dudley

Dear WSU Spokane,

It’s Valentine’s Day, and although we tell you we love you everyday, this day is special. There isn’t a piece of paper big enough to list the ways we love you, which is OK since we’re using the Internet right now.

We love you, WSU Spokane, because….

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WSU Medical School Bills Pass First Test in Olympia

February 10, 2015 kevin_dudley

House Bill 1559 and Senate Bill 5487 – both of which would allow WSU to operate a medical school at WSU Spokane – both passed their respective committees today.

Representative Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane) sponsored the bill in the House, while Senator Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) sponsored the bill in the Senate.

There is still a lot of road ahead, and the process is ongoing, but today’s actions were positive steps for our university.

To learn more about WSU’s pursuit of a medical school, visit medicine.wsu.edu.

SPOTLIGHT: Leaders in Communication

February 5, 2015 kevin_dudley

By Lorraine Nelson, WSU Communications

What are the odds that among the handful of communications professionals working on this campus there would be two serving as president of their professional association? Allison Benjamin and Kevin Dudley are doing just that.

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Washington Senate Higher Education Committee Hears Medical School Bill

February 4, 2015 kevin_dudley

The Senate Higher Education Committee held a hearing today to discuss Senate Bill 5487, which would allow WSU to operate a medical school on our campus.

UPDATE: Video from the hearing can be viewed here.

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WSU Spokane is a Remote Testimony Pilot Project Site

February 3, 2015 kevin_dudley

Jodie is a Spokane Valley resident and a victim of a break-in (which is why we’re going without her last name in this space). When testifying on Senate Bill 5503, which would increase sanctions for habitual property offenders, she did so not in Olympia but from our campus via a video feed.

The Senate Remote Testimony Pilot Project is looking at whether remote testimony works and is an efficient way to work through the democratic process. Our campus is one site that the State is using to try out remote testimony.

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Rep. Marcus Riccelli Talks About a WSU Medical School

January 30, 2015 kevin_dudley

Representative Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane) is the sponsor of House Bill 1559, which would allow WSU to operate a medical school in Spokane. His office produced this video where he talks about his support of a WSU medical school:

Senate Medical School Bill Scheduled for Hearing

January 29, 2015 kevin_dudley

Senate Bill 5487 has been scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Commitee on Higher Education on Feb. 3 at 1:30 p.m.

The bill, introduced by Senator Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) and a companion to House Bill 1559 (which we wrote about here), would allow WSU to operate a medical school, among other things.

The hearing can be seen on TVW and online at TVW.org.

We’ve talked about the need for a WSU medical school in a number of places. Allow two local physicians – a father-son duo – to share why they think WSU needs a medical school:

Fresh Plate Cafe and Roast House Coffee Open on Campus

January 28, 2015 kevin_dudley

Dining on a college campus is essential for students. It’s convenient and gives them a nice break from their classes.

A recent remodel in the Academic Center on the WSU Spokane campus resulted in the Bistro Box-operated Fresh Plate Cafe opening at the beginning of the spring semester. Roast House Coffee provides coffee for students, staff and faculty as well.

We celebrated the two with a ribbon cutting celebration today, with students, staff and faculty attending.

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