SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6901

BYSenate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Saling and Bailey)

Reviewing the Washington Institute for Applied Technology.

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 20, 1990; February 22, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6901 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Bauer, Smitherman, Stratton, von Reichbauer.

Senate Staff:Shawn Newman (786-7443)

                March 2, 1990

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 28, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Washington Institute of Applied Technology was created as a public nonprofit corporation by the Legislature in 1987.  The statute provided that a purpose of the program is to "deliver a high quality education to high school and adult students, preparing them for jobs in current and future technologies and providing trained workers for business and industry."  The institute is governed by a public nonprofit corporation.  The board of directors consists of fifteen members:  nine members representing the business community, three members representing the board of trustees of the sixth community college district and three members representing the Seattle School Board.

In the Omnibus Appropriations Act, the appropriation of $1,500,000 for the second year of the biennium was placed in a reserve account.  The Legislature directed the State Board for Vocational Education within the office of the Governor to conduct a study of the Washington Institute of Applied Technology.  The study was submitted to the Legislature in January of 1990.  The study contained 31 recommendations ranging from revising the mission statement to developing an annual plan of regular course offerings to working towards meeting accreditation criteria.  Alternative methods of operation were also reviewed.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature specifically recognizes that the Washington Institute of Applied Technology (WIAT) serves economically disadvantaged citizens. 

The board of directors of WIAT is required to submit budgets and course offerings to the State Board for Vocational Education or the appropriate entity within the Office of the Governor for approval or disapproval.

The powers and duties of the WIAT board of directors terminate June 30, 1992 and the statutes creating WIAT are repealed effective June 30, 1992.

A report shall be submitted to the Legislature regarding WIAT's progress on: 1) obtaining accreditation from a recognized accrediting association by June 30, 1991; 2) publication of a catalog describing its mission, services, programs and courses by June 15, 1990; 3) certification of instructors by June 30, 1990;  4) adoption of a revised mission statement by June 30, 1990; and 5) implementation of the recommendations in the study prepared by the State Board for Vocational Education.  The report shall be prepared by the State Board for Community College Education or the appropriate entity within the Office of the Governor.

Appropriation:  $1,500,000 to the Washington Institute for Applied Technology

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    requested February 22, 1990

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Senate Committee - Testified:   Ed Cruger, WIAT; T.J. Vassar, WIAT; Merritt D. Long, SBVE; Julie Hungar, Seattle Community College