FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 1143

                          C 58 L 91

                     Synopsis As Enacted

Brief Description:  Authorizing honorary degrees.

By Representatives Wood, Jacobsen, Schmidt, May, Miller, Paris, Jones, Beck, Spanel, Fuhrman, Haugen, Heavey, Winsley, Forner, Mitchell, Betrozoff and Wynne.

House Committee on Higher Education

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Background:  The University of Washington and Washington State University may grant honorary degrees.  Upon recommendation of the faculty, the honorary degrees may be given to persons who did not graduate from the universities.  The honorary degrees are conferred in recognition of a person's learning or devotion to literature, art or science.  Honorary degrees cannot be granted for money or for donation of any kind of property.

The regional universities and colleges, and the community colleges are not authorized to grant honorary degrees.

Summary:  The governing boards of the regional institutions of higher education, and the governing boards of the community colleges may grant honorary degrees.  Upon recommendation of the faculty, the honorary degrees may be granted to people who did not graduate from the institution.  The honorary degrees may be conferred in recognition of learning or devotion to education, literature, art, or science.  No degree may be given for money or for the donation of any kind of property.

The community colleges are authorized to grant an honorary associate of arts degree.  The regional institutions may confer an honorary bachelor's or master's degree.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  95   1

Senate 46   0

Effective:    July 28, 1991