Community Collaboration: University of Idaho Partners To Preserve Wheatland Express
Thursday, March 29 2007
March 29, 2007 MOSCOW, Idaho - An agreement outlined in a draft Memorandum of Understanding between public and private organizations, including the University of Idaho, will enable the continuation of shuttle service between Moscow and the University of Idaho and Pullman and Washington State University. “The Wheatland Express is a valuable resource to our communities and the University of Idaho administration and student body are pleased to be among those in the community lending our support,” said Lloyd Mues, vice president for finance and administration. “We knew that the communities of Moscow, Pullman and Latah County, along with the two land-grant universities, would come together to achieve an equitable solution.” The draft memorandum must be approved by all parties. “I commend everyone for their passion and consensus-building that brought about this solution,” said Mues. “In particular, we salute the sense of community modeled by the students of the University of Idaho for their willingness to take on additional expense in support of this inter-university and community transportation resource. The shuttle service is an important component in the interaction between the two universities and reflects our collective commitment to sustainability by the shuttle’s ability to mitigate our impact on air quality and traffic in the region.” Under the current funding model, the University of Idaho and Washington State University split the $200,000 annual operating cost equally, an agreement that expires in August 2007. Under the new proposal, the Associated Students of the University of Idaho is asking for a $3 per student per semester fee that is expected to generate approximately $50,000 annually to support the shuttle. The Idaho State Board of Education must approve the student fee proposal at its April 19 and 20 meetings in Moscow. In addition, the University of Idaho will contribute $50,000 on top of the student fee proceeds. Washington State University will provide $100,000 each year to fund Wheatland Express; the City of Moscow will increase its general support for Valley Transit to $60,000 a year; Latah County will hold steady its support at $1,200 each year; and New Saint Andrews College has pledged support of $1,500. Valley Transit receives additional funding support from the Federal Transportation Administration. Area transportation stakeholders met over the course of three months, led by a steering group to guide the discussion of funding options. The steering committee members include Lloyd Mues, vice president of finance and administration, University of Idaho; Walter Steed, chair, City of Moscow Transportation Commission; Michael Kyte, professor, National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology, University of Idaho; Tom LaPointe, executive director, Moscow Valley Transit; Peg Motley, owner, Wheatland Express; and Gary J. Riedner, Moscow City Supervisor. Additional discussion participants included Bruce Pitman, dean of students, University of Idaho; Humberto Cerillo, president, ASUI; John Shaheen, director of parking, Washington State University; Kenton Bird, professor of journalism, University of Idaho; and Nick Sanyal, academic faculty, Conservation Social Sciences, University of Idaho. The draft memorandum is expected to be approved by the City of Moscow within the next week. The memorandum covers August 2007 through August 2008; a long-term agreement is expected to be finalized prior to January 2008. -30- About the University of Idaho Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract more than $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Its high academic performers include 42 National Merit Scholars and a 2006-07 freshman class with an average high school grade point average of 3.42. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu. Contact: Tania Thompson, University Communications, (208) 885-6567, taniat@uidaho.edu TT-3/29/07-ADM
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.