RE: Privatization & Extension (long)

Kim Patten (pattenk@coopext.cahe.wsu.edu)
Wed, 20 Sep 1995 20:53:45 -0700

Chuck , you said "To be successful there has to be grassroots input and
grassroots
support. And I feel that it needs to continue to be a public
institution so that information does not go merely to those who can
afford it or have figured out how to access it."

One way to tell how much you are needed and how valuable your program is for
the University to close positions and programs. IF the users feel it is of
great value they will fight like hell to get it back and/or they will help
form a cooperative agreement cost-sharing with the University for the
service. This is what happen to my position. The farmers wanted it bad
enough they were willing to help pay for it. They formed a non-profit
organization whose purpose is to raise money (by farming) and then funnel
that money back to the University for support of my position.
Kim Patten
Washington State University Long Beach Research and Extension Unit
Rt. 1, Box 570, Long Beach WA 98631
phone and fax 360-642-2031
e-mail pattenk@coopext.cahe.wsu.edu