WSR 14-11-069 PROPOSED RULES STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES [Filed May 19, 2014, 3:08 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 14-05-057.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Method of assessing tuition and fee charges.
Tuition and fees charged to students enrolled in competency-based degree programs.
Hearing Location(s): Alderbrook Resort, Mt. Washington Conference Center, Room B&C, 7101 East State Highway 106, Union, WA 98592, on September 10, 2014, at 9:30 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: September 10, 2014.
Submit Written Comments to: Denise Graham, 1300 Quince Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail dgraham@sbctc.edu, by August 4, 2014.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Beth Gordon by August 4, 2014, TTY (360) 704-4309 or bgordon@sbctc.edu.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of the proposal is to allow tuition charges based on term length for students enrolled in competency-based degree programs.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The community and technical colleges are piloting competency-based degree programs in which students will earn academic credits based on demonstration of meeting course competencies rather than on seat time. Tuition will be charged based on a flat rate per term rather than on credits. The state board for community and technical colleges is responsible for setting tuition rates for the community and technical college system. Under current rules, tuition must be charged on a per credit rate. A rule change is needed to allow the state board to authorize tuition charges for competency-based programs that are based on term length rather than on the number of credits taken.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.15.067.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 28B.15.067.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Agency Comments or Recommendations, if any, as to Statutory Language, Implementation, Enforcement, and Fiscal Matters: Staff proposes to amend WAC 131-28-025 to allow term-based tuition and fees for competency-based degree programs. The proposed rule would require term-based tuition charges to be equivalent to tuition and fee rates charged for a fifteen-credit load for one quarter, prorated for the length of the competency-based degree program term.
Name of Proponent: State board for community and technical colleges, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Denise Graham, 1300 Quince Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 704-4350.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed changes do not impact small business or school district costs.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The proposed changes do not create or change any costs.
May 19, 2014
Beth Gordon
Executive Assistant
and Rules Coordinator
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 01-22-010, filed 10/26/01, effective 11/26/01)
WAC 131-28-025 Method of assessing tuition and fee charges.
Tuition and fees charged to students shall conform to chapter 28B.15 RCW, the legislative budget and policies of the state board and the following:
(1) For credit- and credit equivalent-based programs, tuition, and fees charged to students:
(a) Shall be based upon the number of credits assigned to such courses as listed in the official and current catalog of the college, or for courses not given such credit designations, the number of credit equivalents as computed by the method for deriving such equivalents established by the state board.
(((2))) (b) Shall be assessed on a per-credit basis at uniform rates for resident and for nonresident students, respectively. Partial credits shall be assessed on a proportionate basis. The respective maximums charged to any resident or nonresident student shall not exceed the amount allowed by law.
(((3))) (c) Shall be assessed for part-time students, for each credit of registration or its equivalent.
(((4))) (d) Shall include an additional operating fee for each credit in excess of eighteen at the tuition fee rate charged to part-time students.
(((5) Shall conform with chapter 28B.15 RCW, the legislative budget and policies of the state board.)) (2) For competency-based degree programs, tuition and fees charged to students:
(a) Shall be based on the tuition and fee rates charged for a fifteen-credit load for one quarter, prorated for the length of the competency-based degree program term.
(b) For the purposes of the proration required under (a) of this subsection, a quarter shall be considered to be three months long.
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