Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Higher Education Committee

HB 1168

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Sponsors: Representatives Gregerson, Haler, Pollet, Appleton, Stanford, Orwall, Sells, Tarleton, Chapman, Goodman, Fitzgibbon, Peterson, Lytton, Doglio, Frame, Farrell, Riccelli, Lovick, Pettigrew, Sawyer, Springer, Ortiz-Self, Bergquist, Ormsby, Fey, Hudgins, Santos and Macri.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to create a plan to have 70 percent of the faculty employed at the colleges be full-time tenured or tenure-track positions by 2023.

Background:

According to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (State Board), in the fall of 2014, 54 percent of state supported instruction was completed by full-time faculty and 46 percent by part-time faculty. Also according to the State Board, on average, a part-time instructor teaching full time would earn 62 percent of the amount paid to full-time instructors.

Part of the State Board's 2017-19 budget request includes a request for funds to be used by colleges to transition part-time positions to full-time positions and/or to provide for salary increases. According to the State Board, converting a part-time position into a full-time position costs on average $26,100 per position.

Summary of Bill:

The Legislature intends to increase the number of full-time tenured academic employee positions at community and technical colleges (CTC).

By July 1, 2017, the State Board must create a plan, to be implemented in phases, with the goal of having 70 percent of all faculty employed in CTCs be full-time tenured or tenure-track positions by the year 2023. The first phase-in of the plan must begin by the 2018 winter quarter. The eventual 70 percent target must be met both system-wide and at each individual CTC by the year 2023.

The plan must include converting part-time faculty positions to full-time positions, creating more opportunities for part-time faculty, and converting classes or assignments left vacant by attrition.

The State Board must work collaboratively with each CTC, the collective bargaining representatives, and the Legislature. The State Board must report to the Higher Education Committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2017, and every two years, until December 1, 2024. The report must provide updated faculty conversion cost information and information about the progress made by each CTC.