SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 1143

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, APRIL 1, 1991

Brief Description:  Authorizing honorary degrees.

SPONSORS: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

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Patterson, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Jesernig, Skratek, Stratton, and von Reichbauer. 

Staff:  Jean Six (786‑7423)

Hearing Dates:March 25, 1991; April 1, 1991

BACKGROUND:

The University of Washington and Washington State University are permitted, by law, to 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, by law, to grant honorary degrees.

SUMMARY:

Upon recommendation of the faculty, the governing boards of the regional institutions of higher education, and the governing boards of the community colleges may grant honorary degrees.  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.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

Community colleges would like to be able to recognize outstanding citizens, board members, and volunteers.  We would be thoughtful and prudent in offering the award.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Representative Jeanette Wood, prime sponsor; Ron Crossland, SBCCE