Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
College & Workforce Development Committee
HB 1051
Brief Description: Adding a faculty member to the board of regents at the research universities.
Sponsors: Representatives Pollet, Leavitt, Shewmake, Kloba, Ryu, Chopp, Fitzgibbon, Ortiz-Self, Goodman, Valdez, Lovick, Frame, Santos, Macri, Stokesbary and Bergquist.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Adds a full-time or emeritus faculty member to the Board of Regents at the University of Washington and Washington State University.
Hearing Date:
Staff: Elizabeth Allison (786-7129).
Background:

The University of Washington (UW) and Washington State University (WSU) are the state's research universities.  Each one is governed by a Board of Regents (Board) comprised of 10 members.  The Boards have full control of the universities and are responsible for selecting and
maintaining the employment of the university president.  At both universities, the Boards' responsibilities include:  establishing university entrance requirements; establishing colleges and departments; working with faculty to prescribe and approve courses of study; and granting
student degrees.


Board of Regents Composition.
At both the UW and WSU, nine of the 10 regents are appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate.  These regents hold six-year terms.  The tenth member at each university is a student selected by the Governor from a list of at least three and no more than five candidates.  The lists are submitted to the Governor by the associated student governing bodies at the UW and WSU.  The student regent's term is one year.  The student regent may not vote on matters related to the hiring, discipline, or tenure of faculty members and personnel.


Faculty Senate.
The UW and WSU faculty senates are the legislative bodies of the faculty.  The faculty senate provides recommendations to university leadership on matters including:  education policy; student conduct and activities; scholastic activity; and criteria for faculty tenure, appointment, and promotion.
Summary of Bill:

The UW and WSU expand their Boards to include a full-time or emeritus faculty member as the eleventh regent.  The Governor selects the faculty regent from a list provided by the university's faculty senate.  The list includes at least two and no more than five candidates.  Each faculty regent serves a three-year term starting October 1 and running until a successor is appointed and qualified.  The faculty regent may not vote on matters related to the hiring, discipline, or tenure of specific faculty members.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.