SENATE BILL REPORT
ESHB 1822
BYHouse Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Jacobsen, Van Luven, Rector, Miller, H. Myers, Wood, Jesernig, Ebersole, Wineberry, Appelwick, R. Fisher, Betrozoff, Cole, Prince, Nelson, H. Sommers, Peery, Rasmussen, Wang, Dellwo, Ferguson, Gallagher, May, P. King, Walker, Hankins, Sprenkle, Cantwell, Day, Nutley, D. Sommers, Moyer, Anderson, Silver, Nealey, Dorn, Todd, Holland, Brooks, G. Fisher, Heavey, Walk, Grant, Pruitt, Winsley, Valle, K. Wilson, Schoon, Morris, Hine, Horn, R. Meyers, Scott, Brekke, Tate, Bristow, Wolfe, Patrick and Brumsickle)
Enhancing access to upper division and graduate level higher education programs.
House Committe on Higher Education
Senate Committee on Higher Education
Senate Hearing Date(s):March 27, 1989
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Patterson, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Cantu, Smitherman, Stratton, von Reichbauer.
Senate Staff:Scott Huntley (786-7421)
March 31, 1989
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, MARCH 27, 1989
BACKGROUND:
In 1985, the Higher Education Coordinating Board was created and charged with the responsibility of preparing a comprehensive master plan. By statute, the plan was to include assessments of the state's higher education need. The assessments could include, among other things, the basic and continuing needs of various age groups; business and industrial needs for a skilled workforce; analyses of demographic, social, and economic trends; and the needs of recent high school graduates and placebound adults. The board was encouraged to consider the needs of residents of all geographic regions, but to apply its initial priorities to heavily populated areas underserved by public institutions.
The board completed its "Master Plan for Higher Education" in 1987. The board found that a substantial underserved, placebound population does exist in the state's large urban areas. The board determined that additional upper-division and graduate level programs should be provided to the citizens living in or near the central Puget Sound, Spokane, Vancouver, and the Tri- Cities. During 1988, the board added Yakima to the list of areas needing additional upper-division and graduate programs. The board also recommended that both traditional modes of delivery and telecommunications should be employed to serve the educational needs of these areas.
The board assigned the University of Washington the responsibility for ensuring the expansion of upper-division and graduate programs in the Puget Sound area. Washington State University was assigned the responsibility for providing upper-division and graduate programs to Vancouver and the Tri-Cities. Washington State University and Eastern Washington University were jointly assigned the responsibility for serving the upper-division and graduate program needs of the Spokane area. Central Washington University was assigned the responsibility for providing additional upper- division programs to the citizens of the Yakima area.
The University of Washington and Washington State University were directed to develop plans to serve unmet needs and to meet their assigned program responsibilities through the operation of branch campuses in their service areas.
SUMMARY:
The Legislature endorses the assignments of responsibility to provide upper-division and graduate programs that the Higher Education Coordinating Board has made to various institutions of higher education. The Legislature also endorses the creation of branch campuses for the University of Washington and Washington State University.
It is legislative intent that, at the same time funding is approved, enrollment lids at existing baccalaureate institutions should be raised at the upper-division level, to increase participation rates in underserved areas of the state.
The University of Washington is directed to ensure the expansion of upper-division and graduate programs in the central Puget Sound area. The University will operate at least two branch campuses: one campus to be located in the Bothell-Woodinville area, and one campus to be located in the Tacoma area.
Washington State University is directed to provide upper-division and graduate programs to the citizens of the Tri-Cities and Southwest Washington areas. The University will operate a branch campus located in each of those areas.
Washington State University and Eastern Washington University are jointly responsible for providing upper-division and graduate programs to the Spokane area. Washington State University is directed to operate a branch campus in the Spokane area. Eastern Washington University will meet its responsibility through co-located programs and facilities in Spokane.
Central Washington University is responsible for providing upper-division and graduate programs to the citizens of the Yakima area.
Each of these universities shall carry out their responsibilities under rules or guidelines adopted by the Higher Education Coordinating Board. Through its rules and guidelines, the board must ensure a collaborative partnership between the community colleges and four-year institutions. In addition, before approving an institutional request to acquire facilities in one of the assigned areas, the board must explore a variety of creative and cost-effective ways to serve the educational needs of that area.
Authorization for the programs, increases, and facilities described in the bill, are subject to legislative appropriation.
A statute creating the Southwest Joint Center for Education is repealed.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: requested March 14, 1989
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:
The amendment strikes all of the language of the bill and replaces with the following provisions:
The Board of Regents of the University of Washington is given the authority to establish branch campuses in the Tacoma and Bothell-Woodinville areas. The campuses will be designed to meet the need for upper-division and graduate programs in these areas, with emphasis on serving the needs of placebound students.
The Board of Regents of Washington State University is given the authority to establish branch campuses in Spokane, the southwest Washington area, and the Tri-cities area. The Spokane branch campus will be designed to meet the need for upper- division and graduate education programs, with emphasis on graduate and research programs. The southwest Washington branch campus shall be designed to meet the need for upper-division and graduate education programs in the southwest Washington area. The campus shall replace the southwest Washington Joint Center for Education. The Tri-cities branch campus shall be designed to continue and improve upon upper-division and graduate education programs in the Tri-cities. The campus shall replace the Tri- cities University Center.
The method of organization, governance and administration of the branch campuses is to be proposed by the appropriate governing board and subject to the approval of the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Legislature. This provision does not apply to programs existing prior to the effective date of this act.
The governing boards are to adopt policies regarding faculty, staff and students appropriate to the missions of the branch campuses.
Admission standards for branch campuses will be adopted in accordance with Higher Education Coordinating Board policies.
The level of tuition fees charged to students at branch campuses is to be established by the Higher Education Coordinating Board in cooperation with the governing institutions. The tuition charges are to be consistent with those established for graduate and undergraduate students at state four-year institutions.
The Higher Education Coordinating Board will review and approve programs at branch campuses consistent with the procedures established for off-campus programs.
The University of Washington and Washington State University, respectively, are to establish a local advisory committee in each area where a branch campus is located.
This bill is null and void unless specifically referenced in the omnibus appropriations act.
Senate Committee - Testified: Stephanie Adams, Washington Student Lobby (pro); Fred Romero, State Board for Community College Education (for); Ann Daley, Higher Education Coordinating Board (for)