Western Oregon University is expanding with a permanent location in downtown Salem — the historical Vick building at the intersection of Trade Street SE and High Street NE.

The university's board approved the $2.7 million deal this week and announced the decision Friday.

Western, based in Monmouth, is the state's oldest public university and serves about 5,000 students. Its new Salem location, known as WOU:Salem, will be the university's home for several programs only available in Oregon's capital.

A master's in organizational leadership and an applied baccalaureate degree in liberal studies are among the Salem-only programs, both of which offer hybrid courses to help working adults complete degrees.

Students also can pursue a master's in education in special education, and undergraduates can take courses for their bachelor's degrees in psychology, criminal justice or interdisciplinary studies.

Western began the expansion earlier this year with classes offered at the Willamette Education Service District building in south Salem.

Salem courses will continue at Willamette ESD for the current school year, but will begin at the new location in fall 2020, after renovations and additions are completed.

In its soft roll-out, WOU:Salem is serving about 100 students. Within about three years of opening the new location, Western President Rex Fuller said, they are planning to enroll closer to 1,000 students.

The Vick building offers about 36,000 square feet on three floors, allowing for administrative offices and six to eight classrooms, he said. Additionally, the building has 40 associated parking spaces for staff and students, and is near public bus stops and the city's Pringle Parkade.

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The university plans to reassign existing staff and faculty to the new location at first, waiting to hire additional employees to match enrollment growth.

"This purchase is an investment in not only Western Oregon University's future, but the future of Oregonians and our state," Fuller said.

When looking at the student market in Salem, the need is largely for people with some college credits, but no degree, he said, adding these people are frequently working full-time and may have families.

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The top barrier to completing their education? Time.

"Even though we're not very far away from Salem, the commute time makes it beyond measure for some people," Fuller said. "The convenience (of the new location) allows people to manage it in some way that's doable for their busy lives."

Additionally, WOU:Salem's programs are tailored to the needs of the Salem community, he said. Whether it's state workers, nonprofit employees or business owners, the course options and location allow professionals to continue their education possibly within walking distance of where they work.

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Fuller, who has been part of these expansion conversations since 2015, said having a permanent space in Salem aligns well with the university's other goals.

These include providing new pathways for graduation, being a Hispanic-serving institution and offering dual-enrollment options with local community colleges.

Because of existing partnerships and the availability of the Vick building, officials see now as the time to expand.

As for other public state universities, some such as Portland State offer courses in Salem, but most still require classes in other cities or online.

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They also have specific programs different from Western's offerings, such as degrees in social work, Fuller said. They also typically use leased and shared spaces, by comparison.

"Salem is one of few capitals of its size without a major public university in its boundaries," he said. "This is a good opportunity to serve Oregon better."

For more information, go to www.wou.edu/salem or call 503-838-8000. The Vick building is located at 525 Trade St SE in Salem.

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Contact reporter Natalie Pate at npate@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6745 or follow Natalie on Twitter @Nataliempate or Facebook at www.Facebook.com/nataliepatejournalist.