HOUSE BILL REPORT

2SHB 1640

BYHouse Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Fox, Jacobsen, Miller, Kremen, Spanel, Heavey, Silver, Nelson, Jesernig, Braddock, Wineberry, Winsley,R. King, Valle, Leonard, Dellwo, Peery, Haugen,H. Sommers, Jones, Wang, Scott,P. King, Basich, Nutley, O'Brien, Hine, Sanders, Sayan, Pruitt, Todd, Lux,K. Wilson, Unsoeld, Betrozoff and Rust)

Establishing the G. Robert Ross public service award program for outstanding public service by faculty.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Barnes, Basich, Fox, Jesernig, Miller, Nelson, Prince, Silver, Unsoeld and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Majority Report:  The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass.  (20)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Belcher, Braddock, Brekke, Bristow, Brough, Butterfield, Ebersole, Grant, Grimm, Hine, Holland, McLean, Peery, Silver, H. Sommers, Spanel, Sprenkle, Wang and B. Williams.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (2)

      Signed by Representatives Fuhrman and Nealey.

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 13, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In 1985, Washington instituted an innovative program to attract and retain outstanding faculty.  The Distinguished Professorship Trust Fund Program was designed to equally match public and private funds in support of preeminent scholars at the public four-year universities and college.  During the 1987-89 biennium, at the governor's request, the legislature appropriated $5,000,000 in matching funds for the program.  The funds are allocated to the four-year institutions of higher education under a statutory formula.  Each institution will receive at least one professorship if sufficient private matching funds are pledged or received by the institution.

In November 1987, three top officials of Western Washington University were killed in the crash of a chartered plane.  The loss of G. Robert Ross, President; Jeanene DeLille, Vice President for University Advancement; and Don Cole, Vice President for Business devastated the university's students and employees.

Dr. Ross was an exemplary university president who helped to lead his school to a position of increasing excellence and national prominence.  He strongly encouraged the faculty, staff, and students at Western Washington University to work together cooperatively to advance the university's goals in the areas of academics, research, and public service. Dr. Ross was a convincing spokesperson for excellence in all areas of education, and, during the 1987 session, was a leader in helping convince the legislature to substantially increase financial support for higher education programs such as the Distinguished Professorship Trust Fund Program.

SUMMARY:

The legislature wishes to honor the public spirit, dedication, integrity, perseverance, inspiration, and accomplishments of Western Washington University faculty through the creation of the G. Robert Ross Distinguished Faculty Award.

The G. Robert Ross Distinguished Faculty Award is established. The award will be administered by the governing board of Western Washington University.  The Board will adopt guidelines for the selection of the recipients of the award.  The board will also establish and administer a local endowment fund for the deposit of state funds and private donations.  The proceeds of the endowment fund may be used to supplement the salary of the holder of the award, to pay salaries of his or her assistants, and to pay expenses associated with the holder's scholarly work.

The Distinguished Professorship Trust Fund Program is revised to permit matching funds for the program to be received from either private donations, or from a legislative appropriation specifically designated to match trust fund moneys.

$250,000 is appropriated for deposit in the G. Robert Ross Distinguished Faculty Endowment Fund.  These moneys are the designated match for the $250,000 allocated for the use of Western Washington University under the Distinguished Professorship Program.  The total of $500,000 will be deposited in the G. Robert Ross Distinguished Faculty Endowment Fund.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):   The Distinguished Professorship Trust Fund Program is revised to permit matching funds for the program to be received from a legislative appropriation specifically designated to match trust fund moneys for the G. Robert Ross Distinguished Faculty Award, and to eliminate the one unassigned professorship from the program.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board will administer a program to match the value of modern equipment donated to state institutions of higher education with state funds, if those funds are available.  The procedures that state institutions of higher education must follow in order to receive the matching funds are outlined.  The Higher Education Coordinating Board's program responsibilities are delineated.  The terms "modern equipment", "institutions of higher education", and "donation" are defined.

Appropriation:    $250,000 to Western Washington University from the General Fund.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 26, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Higher Education) Bob Waldo, Council of Presidents.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations) Rep. Jacobsen.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Higher Education) None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations) None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Higher Education) This award program is an appropriate memorial for an outstanding university president. The program captures Bob Ross's contribution to higher education, and his commitment to public service. It creates an award for an important educational responsibility that is not often rewarded through other means.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations) Same as for Higher Education Committee.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Higher Education) None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations) None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 93; Excused 5

Excused:    Representatives Allen, Fuhrman, Hankins, King P, Williams B