SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5290

                    As of February 6, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the doctoral fellowship for faculty diversity program.

Brief Description:  Establishing the doctoral fellowship for faculty diversity program.

Sponsors:  Senators Kohl, Sheldon and Bauer; by request of Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/6/95.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff:  Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background:  In the 1992 update of Washington State's Master Plan for Higher Education, the Higher Education Coordinating Board  recommended the state fund programs to improve the recruitment, retention and success of students of color, including a minority graduate fellowship specifically designed to address the under‑representation of persons of color in the faculties of colleges and universities.

Summary of Bill:  The Doctoral Fellowship for Faculty Diversity Program is created.  The purposes of the program include increasing the number of ethnic minorities available to teach in academic disciplines in which ethnic minorities are under‑represented in Washington colleges and universities, and enhancing educational opportunities and quality for all. 

A doctoral fellowship may not exceed two years.  To qualify for a fellowship a student must:

(1)Have a baccalaureate degree from an in-state public institution of higher education in an academic discipline in which ethnic minorities are under-represented;

(2)Be accepted as a full-time doctoral student at an in-state public institution of higher education;

(3)Be approved by an academic committee from the sponsoring institution of higher education;

(4)Receive commitment from the institution for a minimum one-year teaching assistantship in the student's academic discipline;

(5)Comply with all rules adopted by the Higher Education Coordinating Board; and

(6)Be a citizen of the United States.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board has authority to adopt rules and procedures to implement the doctoral fellowship program.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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