HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1218

                       As Passed House

                      February 18, 1992

Title:  An act relating to the governing board of the state's higher education institutes.

Brief Description:  Adding student members to the governing boards of higher education institutions.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Jacobsen, Wood, Ogden, Miller, Nelson, Basich, Anderson, Winsley and Dellwo.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Higher Education, February 11, 1991, DP;

Passed House, February 18, 1992, 92-6.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Ogden, Vice Chair; Wood, Ranking Minority Member; Dellwo; Fraser; Ludwig; Miller; Sheldon; and Van Luven. 

Minority Report: Without recommendation.  Signed by 4 members:  Representatives May, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Prince; and Spanel. 

Staff:  Marilee Scarbrough (786-7196).

Background:  The University of Washington and the Washington State University are governed by a board of regents. Each board has nine members who are appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate to serve six year terms. 

The regional institutions are governed by a board of trustees. Each board has seven members who are appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate to serve a term of six years. 

The research universities allow one graduate student, one undergraduate student and one representative of the faculty-senate to serve as advisory members to the boards. The advisory members are presidents of their respective associations. Advisory members do not vote but they have formal sections of the board's agenda.

The regional institutions allow the associated student body presidents and a representative of the faculty-senate to serve as advisory members to the boards.  The representatives are allowed formal sections of the board's agenda and an opportunity to participate in the board's discussions. The student and faculty representatives do not vote or participate in executive sessions.

Some institutions also allow other groups to participate as advisory members.  For example, in addition to the student and faculty representatives, Central Washington University allows a representative from Affirmative Action and the Association of Administrators to serve as advisory members to the board.

Summary of Bill:  One undergraduate student and one graduate student will be appointed to the board of trustees of the University of Washington.  One undergraduate student and one graduate student will be appointed to the board of trustees of Washington State University.  One undergraduate student will be appointed to the board of regents of each of the regional universities. 

The student members will be appointed by the governor from a list of three names for each position submitted by the governing board of the recognized student associations.  The student members of the board will serve for a term of two years.

Six members will constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business on the boards of the University of Washington and Washington State University.  A majority of the board will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the regional universities.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 21, 1991.

Effective Date:  This act shall take effect January 1, 1992.

Testimony For:  Several other states have legislation allowing students to participate on governing boards.  This legislation will ensure undergraduate and graduate students at Washington's research institutions and undergraduate students at the three regional institutions voting status on the governing boards.

Testimony Against:  This legislation would change the character of the governing boards.  Only one additional constituency would be represented.  There are other groups, such as classified and exempt staff, who would not have the same voting privileges.  If students only serve for two year terms, they would lack the knowledge and background of trustees who serve for six year terms.  If the governor selects students, it creates an issue of the relationship of the governor to the student body president.  The current governing board structure works well for everyone.

Witnesses:  Brendan Williams, Washington Student Lobby (pro); and Terry Teale, Council of Presidents (con).