HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2286

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Higher Education

Title:  An act relating to service delivery alternatives for the provision of higher education.

Brief Description:  Studying service delivery alternatives for higher education.

Sponsors:  Representatives Blanton, Carlson, Jacobsen and Mason; by request of Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Higher Education:  1/23/96, 1/25/96 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Carlson, Chairman; Mulliken, Vice Chairman; Jacobsen, Ranking Minority Member; Mason, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Benton; Blanton; Delvin; Mastin; Scheuerman and Sheahan.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Goldsmith.

Staff:  Marilee Scarbrough (786-7196).

Background:  The Higher Education Master Plan recommends enrollment growth for the entire higher education system of 84,000 full time students by the year 2010.  "The Board strongly believes that access to higher education must be increased in order for Washington to meet the expectations of citizens and to help young people and adults participate successfully in the economy and society."

The Higher Education Coordinating Board master plan provides a method for accommodating 56,700 students by the year 2010.  The plan recommends 24,400 in the community and technical college system, 7,700 in the independent college and university sector, and 24,600 in the public four-year sector.  The plan does not identify how to accommodate the remaining 27,400 students.

To accommodate the growing demand for higher education, the board believes the state will need more information about the cost and benefits of the various higher education options, locations, sectors, and technologies.  The master plan challenges the state to study the costs and benefits of diverse higher education delivery options.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  In consultation with the Legislature, the Office of Financial Management, and post-secondary education, the Higher Education Coordinating Board will conduct a study to evaluate and estimate the relative cost of providing post-secondary instruction.  One hundred twenty-five thousand dollars is appropriated to the Higher Education Coordinating Board to conduct the study.

First, the board will develop the study design and data requirements.  Public institutions will participate; private institutions are encouraged to participate.

The board may contract with a consultant to conduct the study.  The report will focus on undergraduate education, progression and graduation rates, instructional costs per student, facility design capacity, use of faculties, and budget usage.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill makes technical changes and clarifies the timelines for the study design and the institutional cost data.

Appropriation:  The sum of $125,000 is appropriated from the general fund.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  A study is needed to determine the most effective method of meeting the needs of higher education.  The Higher Education Coordinating Board does not have all the answers.  The board would like to contract with someone who does national studies.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Susan Patrick, Higher Education Coordinating Board.