SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5405

                    As of February 6, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the governing board of the state's higher education institutions.

Brief Description:  Adding student members to the governing boards of institutions of higher education.

Sponsors:  Senators Wood, Bauer, Kohl, Loveland, McAuliffe, Finkbeiner, Morton, Winsley, Franklin, Sellar, Long and C. Anderson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/9/95.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff:  Jean Six (786-7423)

Background:  The public research institutions, the University of Washington (UW) and Washington State University (WSU), are each governed by a board of regents.  Each board has nine members appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate to serve six-year terms. 

The regional universities, Central Washington University (CWU), Eastern Washington University (EWU), and Western Washington University (WWU), are governed by a seven-member board of trustees appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate to serve a term of six years. 

The research universities allow one graduate student, one undergraduate student and one representative of the faculty senate to serve as advisory members to the boards.  The advisory members are presidents of their respective associations.  Advisory members do not vote but do have a formal place on the agenda each meeting.

The regional universities have the chair of the faculty senate and the student body president sit as advisory members to the board.  CWU includes the chair of the association of administrators.  EWU's board receives from the advisory members a written and an oral report at each meeting.  Advisory members do not vote.

Summary of Bill:  For the University of Washington, one undergraduate student and one graduate student are appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate to serve two-year terms on the Board of Regents.  For Washington State University, one undergraduate student and one graduate student are appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate to serve a two-year term on the Board of Regents.  Each board of regents is eleven members.

For each of the regional universities (CWU, EWU, and WWU), one undergraduate student is appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate to serve a two-year term on the Board of Trustees.  Each board of trustees is eight members.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 23, 1995.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on August 1, 1995.