S-1994.1 _______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5644
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State of Washington 54th Legislature 1995 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Wood, Kohl, Fraser, Prince and Winsley)
Read first time 02/24/95.
AN ACT Relating to establishing a community college in the People's Republic of China; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that Washington state's economic future is world trade.
(1) The legislature also finds that 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 recommended the creation of a planning committee to develop a proposal to establish a community college in the People's Republic of China.
(2) A planning committee is established to develop a proposal on a Washington state community college in the People's Republic of China. The planning committee shall include but need not be limited to: Three community college presidents and a representative from the state board for community and technical colleges, each selected by the state board; and a president of a public four-year institution of higher education and one representative from the higher education coordinating board, each selected by the higher education coordinating board, and the secretary of state. The members of the planning committee may each select a designee. 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.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1995.
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