PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

BATES TECHNICAL COLLEGE

[Filed February 24, 2023, 1:48 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Time and place of board meetings, WAC 495A-104-015.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 28B.50.100 "The board shall adopt a seal and may adopt such bylaws, rules, and regulations as it deems necessary for its own government."

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The fixed timing of the current rule has created challenges for the board in obtaining a quorum due to board members being unavailable at the established time. As well, the fixed location limits the college governing body from meeting at other campus locations. When the rule was written there was only one Bates campus, and now there are three. Allowing flexibility in establishing the time and location will assist in ensuring trustees can be fully engaged in college governance. As well, it allows more access by the college community into the actions of college governance.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Nicholas Lutes, 1101 South Yakima Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98405, phone 253-680-7123, email nlutes@batestech.edu.

Vice President for Administrative Services