College of Western Idaho seeks funding for new location

March 5, 2008 - College of Western Idaho could soon have its own home in the buildings that have housed Boise State University's Canyon County classes, but the school may not have the money to pay costs for moving in.

College Headquarters

CWI will get at no cost the Boise State University West campus, located north of the Idaho Center, 100 acres of property around the building and BSU's Canyon County Center on Caldwell Boulevard, according to a preliminary agreement with the State Board of Education.

Making the Canyon County buildings home to the new two-year college was part of the selling point supporters used to get voter approval for the college district last May.

CWI is also planning to offer classes in Meridian and Boise.

What it means

CWI administrators can now start planning for where it wants to put classes that are scheduled to begin in January.

Finding the money

CWI could still have to come up with about $1.5 million for some transition costs.

They include:

-About $1 million for furnishings placed in the west campus when BSU opened the center about two years ago.

-$545,000 to repay BSU for the parking lot that was included in a bond.

CWI doesn't have the money in its $9 million budget for next year, said Dennis Griffin, CWI president.

What's next

The community college may ask the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation to help pay for those expenses, Griffin said.

The foundation has pledged $10 million to help launch CWI, but is awaiting a plan from the school before handing over the money.