Peculiar King5 Story about UW and UWT (24. September 2006, 21:55 by Derek Young) ~ What's The Point?
I’m a bit baffled by this story. The general premise seems to be that UWT and UW-Bothell are fall back campuses for those not accepted at UW. It makes this statement. It then compares freshman SAT scores for UWT and UW showing that UW is ‘better.’ Then it presents several disjointed facts about the various campuses. Realize, UWT has had exactly one freshman class that hasn’t even started yet. The story doesn’t compare the graduate programs that have been around for several years now. It doesn’t compare student data over time, the growth of the campus, or mention that UWT is building new student housing. I’m not looking to glorify UWT or downplay UW Seattle. This story simply seems a bit premature and the argument poorly developed. In effect, the writer bothers me… Time to go to bed.
Link to King 5
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I’m a UWT alumna and sadly, I semi-agree with the contention that Bothell and Tacoma are fallback campuses, but I was also rejected from UW when I applied as a tranfer student so UWT it bacame. However, this is not to say that UW is “better.” I would argue that when comparing UWT to UW in terms of SAT scores, UW fares higher because it offers traditional science programs (i.e. Colleges of Engineering and Natural Science) which typically accept higher SAT scoring students. In any case, UWT will be never be UW. But a more accurate comparison of the schools would be that of retention and graduation rates, where I think UWT and UWBothell might outscore UW.
1 | Posted by Ellen | Sep 24, 10:59 PM
I think it was a tone in the article that gave it some negative connotation. I think that the idea that the branch campuses have added additional access to place and economically bound students was overlooked by the writer.
In the first years of the Institute of Technology at the UWT there were at least three single Mom’s who graduated with Bachelor of Science degrees in Computing and had life changing increases in salaries and careers. There are now closing in on 300 alumni from that program alone not to mention the numbers campus wide. I would trade exclusively high grade point average and SAT scores any day for service to students who have the drive and courage to fight for a degree when they have other responsibilities to juggle as well.
As the UWT grows and matures, it will start to resemble more closely the Seattle campus. It is my hope that it continues to develop and maintain its own personality and distinction as a world class educational institution that reflects Tacoma, Pierce County and the whole of the North West.
2 | Posted by Droid16 | Sep 25, 10:32 AM
I agree about the tone of the article, but thought the version that appeared in the Seattle Times, where it originally ran, was a bit better than the AP version run on the KING website. The Times’ article explained more clearly that thanks to UWT, Taura Black was able to pursue her dream of studying to become a social worker rather than feeling like she had to join the military as a last resort. That’s what Tacoma needs—more education, less militarization!
3 | Posted by Michael G. | Sep 25, 12:37 PM
No matter. I take mass media with a grain of salt.
4 | Posted by morgan | Sep 25, 05:07 PM
I loved my experience at UWT. I graduated back in 1999 and found my time there to be incredible.
Having come from a two year college down in SF where I was in classes of 70-100 people…taught by teacher assistant after teacher assistant with hardly a prof in site…UWT was refreshing. I got to know my prof’s…even hung out at the Swiss more then a few times with them…and felt part of a community. Not just like a number. I took a couple of courses at the main campus and was put off by the attitude and mass numbers in classes etc etc etc.
UWT is growing in leaps and bounds and I was very excited to hear about them becoming a 4 year institution.
But let the press downplay the school! That way it can remain the gem it is and not turn into a huge…faceless place.
5 | Posted by jen | Sep 26, 03:43 PM
Bravo, great comment, Jen!
I halfway feel the same way about Tacoma, in general…keeping it a secretive gem, as well. But I don’t suppose that’d be the best for our fair City.
6 | Posted by Laura | Sep 26, 04:49 PM
But let the press downplay the school! That way it can remain the gem it is and not turn into a huge…faceless place.
That might occur if UWT tries to have one thing better or in a unique way than the rest of the UW schools.
Hmmm. Let’s see. They already have an Urban Studies program. Maybe they could focus on a downtown revitalization program with a nationally recognized program in the “field” restoring downtown buildings.
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