H-0808.2 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1794
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State of Washington 54th Legislature 1995 Regular Session
By Representatives Jacobsen and Carlson
Read first time 02/08/95. Referred to Committee on Higher Education.
AN ACT Relating to establishing a community college in the People's Republic of China; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Washington state's economic future is world trade.
(1) It is necessary to expand opportunities for our citizens to gain the tools required for successful competition in the world job market. Washington has significant opportunities for trade with the People's Republic of China. To foster the development of the personal relationships and understandings that will increase the opportunities for successful trade relationships, the task force on international education and cultural exchanges recommends that the governor appoint a planning committee to develop a proposal to establish a community college in the People's Republic of China.
(2) The governor's appointments to the planning committee shall include three community college presidents, a president of a public four-year institution of higher education, one representative from the state board for community and technical colleges, and one representative from the higher education coordinating board. The planning committee shall present to the governor, the office of financial management, and the legislature, by November 1995, a preliminary report for implementing improved student exchanges, opportunities for visiting faculty and faculty exchanges, and the potential establishment of a Washington state community college in the People's Republic of China. A final report shall be presented to the governor, the office of financial management, and the legislature by September 1, 1996.
(3) The program developed by the planning committee shall include but not be limited to the following parameters:
(a) The community college program would be a joint venture of Washington state and the government of the People's Republic of China. Capital costs of the overseas campus should be the responsibility of the Chinese government. Operating costs should be jointly supported and open to private as well as public funds. The staffing of the institution should come from the Washington state community and technical college system. The professors should be rotated to the Chinese campus, thus giving international exposure to a larger number of our Washington state community college staff.
(b) The goal of the Chinese campus would be to provide a Washington state associate of arts degree to both Chinese and Washington state students attending the jointly sponsored programs in the People's Republic of China.
(c) College credits earned by students receiving an associate of arts degree at the China campus would be transferable to public four-year institutions of higher education in Washington under current transfer policies.
(d) Programs would be equivalent to Washington state community college curriculum. The programs would be taught in English, and would be open to both Chinese and Washington state students electing to study in China. To expand the curriculum and opportunities of the China campus, telecommunications delivery of programs should be considered.
(e) All Chinese students attending the Chinese community college campus and continuing studies in Washington state institutions of higher education for their four-year degree, will sign a commitment letter stating they will return to China and not extend their stay in the United States beyond the completion of their bachelor's degree. Washington state will work with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service to have restrictive visas issued to the Chinese students studying in this program, ensuring their return to their native country. Strict guidelines would apply.
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