This report contains the Higher Education Coordinating Board's (HECB) assessment of the higher education needs in Snohomish, Skagit, and Island (SIS) Counties, and its recommendations to the legislature regarding those needs. The report contains two sections. Section I provides: (1) Primary conclusions and related considerations derived from the study, and (2) Study recommendations; and (3) Proposed Board resolution adopting the study recommendations. Section II provides a detailed examination and discussion of the study methods and findings. Principal Recommendations include: (1) As first priority, improved core funding and provision for growth at existing state public institutions, including implementation of a 10-year strategy to fund the colleges and universities at the 60th percentile of similar institutions within the Global Challenge States, as proposed in the Governor's Washington Learns project: (2) Future consideration of the creation of a new four-year campus in the SIS region when the existing colleges and universities have reached their maximum programmatic and physical capacity; and (3) Continued planning for a new four-year campus in the SIS region. should continue. Supporting recommendations include: (1) Examination and research of best practices and lessons learned from institutions with advanced use of technology as well as selected universities with a polytechnic focus; (2) Formation of a liaison committee with representatives of institutions of higher education with sufficient authority and experience to identify and work cooperatively to resolve issues of concern about regional and statewide delivery of services; (3) Development of a policy on enrollment management, service areas and strategic curriculum planning as a strategy to improve access and maximize the production of professional certificates, and baccalaureate and graduate degrees; (4) Review of the organizational systems and the assignment of major lines and types of degrees in light of projected statewide needs; (5) Support of growth in SIS area community colleges to accommodate additional students in adult basic education, workforce training, and academic transfer-oriented programs and investigation of the feasibility of a future university center; and (6) Feasibility investigation of coordinated pre-admission procedures, including a common application process. (Contains 6 footnotes and 1 table.)