Washington's research university branch campuses were created in 1989 to increase opportunities for students in several regions of the state to complete their baccalaureate and graduate-level studies at public universities close to their homes. Currently, the University of Washington operates branch campuses in Bothell and Tacoma. The Bothell campus is located on the same campus as Cascadia Community College. Washington State University operates branches in Vancouver and the Tri-Cities. In 2004, in recognition of the need to more clearly define the branch campuses' role and mission, the Legislature and governor enacted House Bill 2707, calling for each branch campus to conduct a self-study and make recommendations to the state regarding its future mission and development. These studies were submitted in November 2004 to the HECB, which was directed to evaluate the institutional proposals and develop its own policy options and recommendations from a statewide perspective. The board worked closely with the UW and WSU to develop the guidelines under which the branch campus self-studies were prepared. (Contains 20 tables.)