Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee
HB 1142
Brief Description: Increasing tenure-track faculty at the public baccalaureate institutions.
Sponsors: Representatives Hansen, Timmons, Reed, Simmons, Reeves, Lekanoff and Pollet.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Adds 200 tenure-track faculty positions at the state universities and regional universities.
  • Requires the state universities and regional universities to submit final and preliminary reports to the Legislature on hires and conversions of part-time employees and the impacts of the additional tenure-track faculty.
Hearing Date: 1/11/23
Staff: Elizabeth Allison (786-7129).
Background:

Tenure grants a professor permanent employment with certain job and salary security.  A tenured professor generally may not be fired without cause. 

 

As of 2021, the student to tenure-track faculty ratio is as follows:

  • 20 to 1 at the University of Washington; 
  • 34 to 1 at Washington State University; 
  • 48 to 1 at Central Washington University; 
  • 42 to 1 at Eastern Washington University; 
  • 16 to 1 at the Evergreen State College; and 
  • 27 to 1 at Western Washington University.

 

The state universities are the University of Washington and Washington State University.  The regional universities are Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, and Western Washington University.
Summary of Bill:

Subject to amounts appropriated specifically for this purpose, beginning with the 2023-24 academic year, the Legislature intends to add 200 new full-time tenure-track positions.  The new positions must be divided among the state and regional universities as follows: 

  • 30 at the University of Washington;
  • 30 at Washington State University;
  • 50 at Central Washington University;
  • 50 at Eastern Washington University; and
  • 40 at Western Washington University. 


The state and regional universities must issue two joint reports to the Governor and appropriate committees of the Legislature. 


The preliminary report is due by December 15, 2025, and must include data on all hires made under the act, including demographics of hires, the department or program in which the hire was made, and the number of positions that were part-time conversions. 

 

The final report is due by December 15, 2030, and must include an assessment of the impact of the 200 additional full-time tenure-track faculty on student experiences and student success.  The state and regional universities are directed to convene representatives of faculty, staff, and administration to report on the outcomes of increasing faculty and must include next-step recommendations.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 6, 2023.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.