SENATE BILL REPORT
ESSB 5174
AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 19, 1991
Brief Description: Providing for additional enrollments at state institutions of higher education.
SPONSORS:Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Saling, Bauer, Patterson, von Reichbauer, Jesernig, Cantu, Skratek, Amondson, Stratton, Anderson, Snyder, Newhouse, Gaspard, Johnson, Thorsness, Nelson, L. Smith, Craswell, West, Bailey, Talmadge, Sutherland, Vognild, Hansen, Williams, Madsen, Owen, Matson, Rasmussen, Pelz, Roach and Conner).
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5174 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Patterson, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Jesernig, Stratton.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senators Bluechel, Cantu, Skratek, and von Reichbauer.
Staff: Scott Huntley (786‑7421)
Hearing Dates:January 30, 1991; January 31, 1991; February 25, 1991; February 27, 1991
BACKGROUND:
The level of student enrollment at state institutions of higher education is limited by the state. The enrollment lid for the 1990-91 academic year is approximately 17,000 full-time equivalent students less than the 1980-81 academic year. There have been many calls for an increase in the number of state supported enrollments at our institutions. Most notably, the Higher Education Coordinating Board has determined that such an increase is necessary in order for this state's citizens to maintain competitiveness in the world economy. There has also been interest in increased opportunities for some of our citizens to learn entry-level skills and trades.
It is maintained that the physical capacity exists within the state institutions of higher education to allow for an increased level of enrollment without the need for additional capital construction.
In order to fulfill the increased need for higher education services it is argued that the existing enrollment restrictions should be modified and that such increases should remain within the existing capability and capacity of each institution to accept additional enrollments.
SUMMARY:
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 1991 is created. New state funded enrollments are authorized at the state institutions of higher education, above the levels established for those institutions during the 1989-91 biennium. Should the funding provided for new enrollments, in the omnibus appropriations act or separate funding legislation, be inadequate to provide for the level of enrollment increases contained in this bill, then the new enrollments contained in this bill shall be reduced proportionate to the actual level of funding provided.
The state funded enrollment level at the University of Washington will increase by a total of 1,207 full-time equivalent (FTE) students over the course of the biennium. The increase will be 604 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 603 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year. The new enrollments for the University of Washington will be distributed by the university to its main campus, evening program and branch campuses.
The state funded enrollment level at Washington State University will increase by a total of 589 FTE students over the course of the biennium. The increase will be 295 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 294 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year. The new enrollments for Washington State University will be distributed by the university to its main campus and branch campuses.
The state funded enrollment level at Central Washington University will increase by a total of 303 FTE students over the course of the biennium. The increase will be 152 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 151 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year.
The state funded enrollment level at Eastern Washington University will increase by a total of 117 FTE students over the course of the biennium. The increase will be 59 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 58 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year.
The state funded enrollment level at The Evergreen State College will increase by a total of 138 FTE students over the course of the biennium. The increase will be 69 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 69 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year.
The state funded enrollment level at Western Washington University will increase by a total of 451 FTE students over the course of the biennium. The increase will be 226 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 225 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year.
The state funded enrollment level in the state community college system will increase by a total of 7,115 FTE students over the course of the biennium. The increase will be 3,560 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 3,555 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year. The new enrollments will be distributed throughout the community college system by the State Board for Community College Education consistent with the board's weighted prorated distribution methodology.
A null and void clause is included, which requires that specific funding for the purposes of this act be provided.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: available
Effective Date: July 1, 1991
TESTIMONY FOR:
An enrollment increase is needed at our state higher education institutions. This state presently has fewer state-funded enrollments than it did in 1980. The HEC Board has declared that more higher education opportunities are needed in this state to ensure this state's economic vitality into the next century. The present enrollment level is inadequate to meet the educational needs of this state's citizens. This legislation will go a long way toward improving access to our state higher education institutions.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED: PRO: Ann Daley, HEC Board; Elson Floyd, Eastern Washington University; Dick Thompson, Central Washington University; Russ Lindman, The Evergreen State College; Dr. Laurel Wilkening, University of Washington; Dr. Tim Washburn, University of Washington; Dr. Maureen Anderson, Washington State University; Dr. Fred Dobney, Washington State University; Dr. Larry Delorne, Western Washington University; Earl Hale, State Board for Community College Education