SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5174
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 27, 1991
Brief Description: Providing for additional enrollments at state institutions of higher education.
SPONSORS: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.
The state funded enrollment level at the University of Washington will increase by a total of 643 full-time equivalent (FTE) students over the course of the biennium. This total will be distributed as follows: (1) an increase of 117 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 199 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year will be directed to the Tacoma branch campus; (2) an increase of 88 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 164 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year will be directed to the Bothell/Woodinville branch campus; and, (3) an increase of 40 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 35 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year will be directed to the evening program.
The state funded enrollment level at Washington State University will increase by a total of 1,259 FTE over the course of the biennium. This total will be distributed as follows: (1) an increase of 250 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 250 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year will be directed to the Pullman campus; (2) an increase of 120 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 280 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year will be directed to the southwest Washington branch campus; (3) an increase of 39 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 80 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year will be directed to the Spokane branch campus; and, (4) an increase of 65 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 175 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year will be directed to the Tri-Cities branch campus.
The state funded enrollment level at Central Washington University will increase by a total of 550 FTE students over the course of the biennium. The increase will be 300 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 250 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year.
The state funded enrollment level at Eastern Washington University will increase by a total of 400 FTE students over the course of the biennium. The increase will be 200 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 200 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year.
The state funded enrollment level at The Evergreen State College will increase by a total of 100 FTE students over the course of the biennium. The increase will be 50 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 50 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year.
The state funded enrollment level at Western Washington University will increase by a total of 500 FTE students over the course of the biennium. The increase will be 200 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 300 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year.
The state funded enrollment level in the state community college system will increase by a total of 7,000 FTE students over the course of the biennium. The increase will be 3,500 FTE in the 1991-92 academic year and an additional 3,500 FTE in the 1992-93 academic year. The new enrollments will be distributed throughout the system by the State Board for Community College Education consistent with legislative intent.
A null and void clause is included, which requires that specific funding for the purposes of this act be provided.
EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:
A provision is added to the legislation which declares that if funding for enrollments is not adequate to provide for the level of enrollment increases contained in this bill, then the new enrollments provided in the bill shall be reduced proportionate to the actual level of new enrollment funding provided in the state budget or in separate funding legislation.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: requested January 22, 1991
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