SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5827

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of February 23, 2009

Title: An act relating to appointing student members on the board of trustees for community colleges.

Brief Description: Appointing student members on the board of trustees for community colleges.

Sponsors: Senators Shin, Kilmer, McDermott and Marr.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 2/20/09.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Staff: Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

Background: The Higher Education Coordinating Board, University of Washington, Washington State University, the regional universities, and The Evergreen State College all have student members on their Boards of Trustees or Boards of Regents. The are no student members on the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) or on the boards for any of the community college districts. There are no enumerated qualifications for board members at any of the institutions of higher education. Boards at community and technical colleges have five trustees, and must include at least one member from business and another from labor.

Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.

Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute): Beginning July 1, 2009, a pilot program is established for the purposes of appointing a student member to the board of trustees at Bellevue Community College, Clark College, North Seattle Community College, South Seattle Community College, Seattle Central Community College, Spokane Community College, and Spokane Falls Community College. Each board of trustees is expanded from five to six trustees, one of whom must be a student. The student must excuse himself or herself from participation or voting on matters relating to the hiring, discipline, or tenure of faculty members and personnel.

The student member must be a full-time student in good standing at the community college at the time of appointment. The Governor selects each student member from a list of candidates submitted by the governing body of the associated students and the candidate is subject to the consent of the Senate. The student member serves a one-year term or until the student member's successor is appointed and qualified, whichever is later.

Each pilot community college and governing body of the associated students must create evaluation criteria for the pilot program. The results of the pilot program are reported to the Legislature by December 1, 2011. The pilot program ends on July 1, 2011.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.