AN ACT Relating to additional enrollments at institutions of higher education; creating new sections; providing an effective date; and

declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. This act shall be known as the higher education opportunity act of 1991.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The state of Washington has historically given high priority to the higher education needs of its citizens. As we move to the twenty-first century and to the more competitive world economy that it brings, it is imperative that we provide access to all of the types of higher education that are needed by the citizens of Washington. Washington has developed one of the finest community college systems in the country. The higher education coordinating board has determined that there is a need in this state for increased participation at the upper-division and graduate levels and that baccalaureate and graduate degrees need to be earned at an increased rate for our citizens to maintain competitiveness in the world economy. There is also a need to increase the opportunity for citizens to learn entry-level skills and trades resulting in their ability to become productive individuals in our society and not depend on the state for subsistence grants.

It is the intent of this act to modify the present enrollment lids which limit the size of the student population on the public higher education campuses in the state. This act will be the first step toward meeting the educational needs of our citizens in the 1990's. It is further the intent of this act to endorse the long-term enrollment goals established by the higher education coordinating board. This act moves toward achieving the goals of a participation rate equal to the 70th percentile of national participation rates for upper-division and graduate students and a participation rate equal to the 90th percentile of national participation rates for all students.

The legislature finds that the present enrollment lids at the public institutions are artificially set and that an increase in the number of full-time equivalent enrollments on the campuses can be accomplished without additional capital construction. The legislature further finds that at many of our state institutions of higher education there is the physical capacity available to accept new students, and there is also a desire among the institutions to accept new enrollments in the coming biennium. It is the intent of this act to remain sensitive to the capability and capacity of each institution to accept additional enrollments.

It is not the intent of this act to emphasize access to the detriment of quality in the educational programs of our institutions. Therefore, it is the intent of this act to provide a funding level for additional enrollments that is based on the 1990 higher education coordinating board cost study and will include both the direct and indirect costs associated with additional student enrollments. It is the intent of this act to begin the process of affording a place in the higher education system for all citizens of Washington who are qualified for and desirous of earning a college degree, and to assure that the quality of those degrees are not jeopardized by inadequate funding levels.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The new enrollments authorized in sections 4 through 10 of this act are additional state-funded enrollments at our state institutions of higher education above the level established for each institution during the 1989-91 biennium: PROVIDED, That should the level of funding for enrollment increases, in the omnibus appropriations act or in Senate Bill 5814, be insufficient to provide for the full level of enrollment increases set forth in sections 4 through 10 of this act the enrollment increases set forth in those sections shall be reduced proportionate to the actual level of funding provided in either of the aforementioned acts.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Subject to the provisions of section 3 of this act, the state-funded enrollment level at the University of Washington, including the branches at Tacoma and Bothell, shall be increased by six hundred four full-time equivalent students during the 1991-92 fiscal year plus an additional six hundred three full-time equivalent students during the 1992-93 fiscal year. The new enrollments authorized in this section shall be distributed by the university to its main campus, evening program, and branch campuses.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Subject to the provisions of section 3 of this act, the state-funded enrollment level at Washington State University, including the branches at Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Southwest Washington, shall be increased by two hundred ninety-five full-time equivalent students during the 1991-92 fiscal year plus an additional two hundred ninety-four full-time equivalent students during the 1992-93 fiscal year. The new enrollments authorized in this section shall be distributed by the university to its main campus and branch campuses.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Subject to the provisions of section 3 of this act, the state-funded enrollment level at Central Washington University shall be increased by one hundred fifty-two full-time equivalent students during the 1991-92 fiscal year plus an additional one hundred fifty-one full-time equivalent students during the 1992-93 fiscal year.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Subject to the provisions of section 3 of this act, the state-funded enrollment level at Eastern Washington University shall be increased by fifty-nine full-time equivalent students during the 1991-92 fiscal year plus an additional fifty-eight full-time equivalent students during the 1992-93 fiscal year.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Subject to the provisions of section 3 of this act, the state-funded enrollment level at The Evergreen State College shall be increased by sixty-nine full-time equivalent students during the 1991-92 fiscal year plus an additional sixty-nine full-time equivalent students during the 1992-93 fiscal year.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The state-funded enrollment level at Western Washington University shall be increased by two hundred twenty-six full-time equivalent students during the 1991-92 fiscal year plus an additional two hundred twenty-five full-time equivalent students during the 1992-93 fiscal year.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. The state-funded enrollment in the state community college system shall be increased by three thousand five hundred sixty full-time equivalent students during the 1991-92 fiscal year plus an additional three thousand five hundred fifty-five full-time equivalent students during the 1992-93 fiscal year. These new enrollments shall be distributed throughout the system by the state board for community college education consistent with the state board's weighted prorated distribution methodology.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1991.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill number, is not provided by June 30, 1991, through the passage of Senate Bill No. 5814, or in the omnibus appropriations act, this act shall be null and void.