H-4596.1          _______________________________________________

                            SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2286

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              54th Legislature             1996 Regular Session

By House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Blanton, Carlson, Jacobsen and Mason; by request of Higher Education Coordinating Board)

Read first time 01/29/96. 

Studying service delivery alternatives for higher education.

     AN ACT Relating to service delivery alternatives for the provision of higher education; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  As resources become more limited, it is important to assess the relative cost to provide instructional services by alternative structures available through Washington's higher education system.  Currently available are main campuses, branch campuses, distance learning centers, and other instructional opportunities and facilities provided by nonstate sources.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  (1) The higher education coordinating board, in consultation with the legislature, the office of financial management, and postsecondary education providers shall conduct a study to evaluate and estimate the relative cost of providing postsecondary instruction through main campuses, branch campuses, centers, distance learning through public and private colleges, and universities and businesses providing postsecondary instruction.

     (2) Public institutions of higher education shall participate in the study design, data collection, completion of the study, and drafting the report.  Private institutions of higher education are encouraged to participate.

     (3) Before August 31, 1996, the board, in consultation with the involved agencies and institutions, shall develop the study design and data requirements.

     (4) By March 30, 1997, public institutions of higher education shall collect and provide to the higher education coordinating board  institutional cost data required by subsection (3) of this section.

     (5) Following collections of the data, the study, evaluation, and report shall focus on:

     (a) Undergraduate education programs in arts and letters; social and natural sciences excluding health sciences; business; and teacher education;

     (b) Progression and graduation rates;

     (c) Instructional cost per student;

     (d) Design facility capacity;

     (e) Use of facilities; and

     (f) Budgeted usage.

     (6) The board may contract with consultants as necessary to complete these requirements.  The board shall report to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature on December 1, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The sum of one hundred twenty-five thousand 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 to complete the study in section 2 of this act.

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