1345-S

AN ACT Relating to the doctoral fellowship for faculty diversity program; adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that encouraging outstanding students to become faculty members in institutions of higher education is of paramount importance. The legislature further finds that ethnic minority faculty members are underrepresented in institutions of higher education in Washington state.

Therefore, the doctoral fellowship for faculty diversity program is created to increase the number of ethnic minorities available to teach at the college and university level in academic disciplines in which ethnic minorities are demonstrably underrepresented. Additionally the purpose of this chapter is to create a partnership between the state, institutions of higher education, and students that will lead to greater participation of ethnic minorities in the ranks of college and university faculties. Third, the faculty diversity program is created to supplement funding from foundations and institutions for minority doctoral students.

The legislature intends to encourage minority doctoral students to teach in Washington institutions of higher education, encourage institutions of higher education to mentor and place doctoral scholars into faculty positions, and to provide supplemental funding to support the minority doctoral students, thereby, enhancing opportunities and educational quality for all Washington citizens.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Board" means the higher education coordinating board.

(2) "Sponsoring institution" means public or private institutions of higher education within Washington state that offer doctoral degree-granting programs in academic disciplines in which ethnic minorities are demonstrably underrepresented.

(3) "Student" means a student who is admitted to a doctoral degree program at an institution of higher education in the state of Washington and who has a declared intention to teach at a Washington institution of higher education upon program completion. The student shall be of an ethnic minority representation found by the board to have a low rate of participation among faculty in that individual's discipline, a citizen or legal alien residing in the state of Washington, a needy student, as defined in RCW 28B.10.802, and a resident student, as defined in RCW 28B.15.012(2). To remain eligible after initial selection, the student must be enrolled and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The doctoral scholarship for faculty diversity program is created. The program shall be administered by the board. In administering the program, the board shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To select students to receive doctoral scholarships with the assistance of a screening committee including, but not limited to faculty members, administrators, and individuals involved in assisting ethnic minority students to obtain a higher education;

(2) To adopt rules and guidelines;

(3) To publicize the program;

(4) To award scholarships from state funds or those funded by the Western interstate commission for higher education (WICHE);

(5) To coordinate with the sponsoring institution, orientation activities, mentoring, provision of periodic reports to the Western interstate commission for higher education, monitor placement of doctoral scholars, and other activities as necessary.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The board shall establish a planning committee to develop criteria for the screening and selection of recipients of scholarships under this chapter. Criteria shall emphasize factors demonstrating academic potential as a faculty member in an institution of higher education, an interest in serving as a faculty member in Washington, and leadership ability. The criteria shall include a priority for students willing to teach in academic disciplines in which ethnic minorities are demonstrably underrepresented.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The board may award scholarships to students from funds appropriated to the board for this purpose. The amount of the scholarship awarded an individual shall not exceed fifty percent of the student's unmet need, the total amount per student not to exceed ten thousand dollars per academic year. Students are eligible to receive scholarships for a maximum of two academic years.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The sum of . . . . . dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1997, from the general fund to the higher education coordinating board for the doctoral fellowship for faculty diversity program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 1 through 5 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 28B RCW.