The concept of a University District has been a goal for Spokane since before the establishment of the Riverpoint campus. Most recently, the idea caught fire among community leaders and is gaining momentum through the work of Washington State University (WSU) Spokane students at the Interdisciplinary Design Institute, support from public officials, and the efforts of volunteers to define and communicate the potential of such a district.
As the Riverpoint campus develops and enrollment grows, and as Gonzaga University grows just across the river, demand for student and faculty housing and services will grow as well. This creates opportunities for development in adjacent streets and stronger linkages to available services and entertainment venues in downtown, already undergoing its own renaissance.
Concepts for the university district developed by students at the Interdisciplinary Design Institute have been utilized extensively to demonstrate the potential for surrounding areas, particularly the East Spokane business area. This work was instrumental in obtaining a federal appropriation of $1 million for planning and engineering related to traffic calming and beautification along the stretch of Trent Avenue that runs through campus (to be renamed Spokane Falls Boulevard, effective March 2005).
Gov. Gary Locke announced his intention on March 17, 2004 to support full funding for Washington State University’s Riverpoint campus building in downtown Spokane. When the governor signs the state construction budget later this month, he will include the $31.6 million in funding authorized by the state House and Senate last week. The funding is intended to build a combination library, classroom and office building at the downtown campus.
Washington State University Spokane's academic programs, research, and public service activities focus on:
Established in 1989 as the urban research campus of Washington State University, a land-grant research university founded in 1890, Washington State University Spokane offers a learning and research community that give students hands-on opportunities for professional growth and academic excellence. WSU is a Carnegie doctoral/research extensive university.
Students at Washington State University Spokane range from full-time, traditional students continuing from undergraduate studies, to working adults juggling family responsibilities and community involvement with their studies.
Fast Student Facts
Students: Data are from 2005–06 academic years.
- Number of students (annual average) for WSU programs in Spokane, including the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing: 1,510 headcount, 1,282 FTE (full-time equivalent)
- WSU Spokane: 896 head count, 741 FTE
- WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing: 614 head count, 541 FTE
- Average student age: 29 (with an age range of 18-60)
- Gender:
- WSU Spokane: 56.4% female, 43.6% male
- Intercollegiate College of Nursing, 88.5% female, 11.5% male
- Full-time/part-time:
- WSU Spokane: Full-time 45%, part-time 55%
- Intercollegiate College of Nursing: Full-time 75.1%, part-time 24.9%
- Type of student:
- WSU Spokane: 40.5% undergraduate, 59.5% graduate and professional
- Intercollegiate College of Nursing: 90.7% undergraduate, 9.3% graduate and professional
- Ethnicity and national origin:
- WSU Spokane: 10.4% ethnic minority, 3.2% international
- Intercollegiate College of Nursing: 6.5% ethnic minority, 1.6% international