HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5664
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 Reported by House Committee On:
Higher Education
Education Appropriations & Oversight
Title: An act relating to the Lake Washington Institute of Technology.
Brief Description: Concerning the Lake Washington Institute of Technology.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Shin, Hobbs, Nelson, Rockefeller, Litzow, Chase, Tom, Zarelli, Brown, Kilmer, Delvin and Murray).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Higher Education: 3/14/11, 3/16/11 [DP];
Education Appropriations & Oversight: 3/24/11, 3/28/11 [DP].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
|
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Seaquist, Chair; Carlyle, Vice Chair; Haler, Ranking Minority Member; Parker, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Fagan, Hasegawa, Jacks, Probst, Reykdal, Sells, Springer, Warnick and Zeiger.
Staff: Madeleine Thompson (786-7304).
Background:
Lake Washington Technical College.
Lake Washington Vocational Technical Institute was part of the Lake Washington School District from 1949 to 1991 offering a variety of postsecondary vocational programs. Legislation enacted in 1991, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5184, converted the state's vocational-technical institutes to technical colleges. Lake Washington Vocational Technical Institute became Lake Washington Technical College.
Lake Washington Technical College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities at the associate degree level and has been granted candidacy at the baccalaureate degree level. Lake Washington Technical College offerings include basic skills transition, high school programs, certificates of proficiency and completion, apprenticeships, associates degrees (technical and transfer), professional and technical direct transfer agreements, incumbent and displaced worker training, and continuing education. Lake Washington Technical College is currently the only technical college in the state the offers an applied baccalaureate degree (Bachelor of Technology in Applied Design).
Legislation enacted in 2010, Substitute Senate Bill 6355, gave authority to implement provisions of the Higher Education Coordinating Board's (HECB) System Design Plan. Among its several provisions, the legislation removed the pilot status of applied baccalaureate degrees offered at community and technical colleges. A community or technical college wanting to offer an applied baccalaureate degree must apply to both the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and the HECB to have new degrees offerings approved.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Summary of Bill:
The name of Lake Washington Technical College is changed to Lake Washington Institute of Technology.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available on original bill.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This name change is appropriate to reflect the current mission of the institution. Lake Washington Technical College is the only technical college that offers an applied baccalaureate degree. A number of name changes have been considered, and this is the most appropriate. Technical colleges require legislative action to make name changes as their names are in statute, while community colleges may make name changes without legislative direction. The institution will gain recognition among industry partners which will enable the institution to acquire more resources.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: David Woodall, Lake Washington Technical College.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS & OVERSIGHT |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Haigh, Chair; Probst, Vice Chair; Fagan, Frockt, Maxwell, Nealey, Orwall, Reykdal, Santos, Seaquist, Sells and Stanford.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Anderson, Ranking Minority Member; Dammeier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dahlquist, Hargrove and Short.
Staff: Trista Zugel (786-7157).
Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Education Appropriations & Oversight Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Higher Education:
No new changes were recommended.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The Lake Washington Technical College can implement this name change on a shoe string. Only the main sign on campus will need to be changed right away. Students want a name on their diploma that sounds like a four-year institution. This will help the school with its fundraising in these times when they are facing budget cuts. The new name will sound more appealing to donors.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator McAuliffe, prime sponsor; Terry Byington, Lake Washington Technical College; and Christian Dube, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 286.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.