A bold new proposal introduced to Washington state lawmakers last week suggests that The Evergreen State College could be abolished and converted into a University of Washington (UW) Health Sciences campus by 2026. The legislation, spearheaded by Senate Republican Leader John Braun, aims to address Washington’s health-care workforce shortage by repurposing the struggling liberal arts college into a hub for health-care training.

Braun’s Senate Bill 5424 calls for The Evergreen State College, based in Olympia, to be transformed into a new UW “Health Sciences Campus,” effective July 1, 2026. The bill focuses on the urgent need for health-care professionals to meet the demands of Washington’s aging population, which is expected to put immense pressure on the state’s healthcare system in the coming years.

According to Braun, Evergreen, which was founded in 1967 with an innovative, interdisciplinary undergraduate curriculum, is no longer the institution it once was. While the college boasted a student body of nearly 5,000 during its peak years from 2009 to 2011, enrollment has since dropped significantly, with just around 2,500 students enrolled this past fall. Although enrollment has seen a slight increase of 8% compared to the previous fall, Braun argues that the college is struggling to meet the evolving needs of the community.

“Evergreen has a rich history and an important role in our state,” Braun said. “But the reality is, there’s a critical shortage of health-care professionals, and we need to adapt to the current demands of our population.” Senate Bill 5424, according to Braun, would help address the need for health-care workers such as registered nurses, nurse practitioners, paramedics, physician assistants, and other allied health professionals. The bill’s goal is to prepare the workforce to handle the “Silver Tsunami,” referring to the growing number of older adults whose medical needs are expected to overwhelm the current capacity of the health-care system.

In response to the proposed transformation, The Evergreen State College has not yet provided an official statement. However, Genevieve Canceko Chan, a spokesperson for the college, indicated that the institution’s Board of Trustees typically discusses issues in public meetings. The next meeting is scheduled for March 6, though it is not expected to address Braun’s bill.

Chan also emphasized that enrollment has increased over the past three years, particularly among undergraduates, suggesting that Evergreen still plays a role in meeting educational needs. However, Braun argues that the college’s reduced enrollment and high costs make it an impractical institution in a time of financial strain for the state.

“We can’t afford to have a university that’s not performing at the level of the others,” Braun stated. “With medical issues impacting almost everyone in our state, we need to act now.” He believes that transforming Evergreen into a health-care-focused institution would help meet pressing needs without additional construction or expansion.

The proposed changes outlined in Senate Bill 5424 would involve several key steps:

1. The transfer of Evergreen’s property and powers to the University of Washington, where it would become part of the new UW Health Sciences Campus.
2. Immediate appointment of a chancellor to oversee the transformation and the establishment of permanent leadership for the new campus.
3. A review of Evergreen’s existing academic programs, with those that do not align with the new mission being phased out by 2030.
4. The formation of a coordinating council made up of health-care professionals, business leaders, and community representatives to determine the future direction of the new campus.
5. The requirement for a financial sustainability plan to be submitted by summer 2028.
6. A policy to ensure that courses taken at Evergreen will be granted equivalency or credit at the new UW Health Sciences Campus.

While the bill aims to repurpose an underutilized college to meet the state’s healthcare needs, its introduction marks a significant shift in Washington’s higher education landscape, with potential implications for the future of Evergreen State College and its students.

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