COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Representative Don Carlson, Chair

BILL ANALYSIS

HB 1532

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:  Requiring one student member on each state institution of higher education's governing board.

BACKGROUND:  A Board of Trustees or a Board of Regents governs each Washington State regional and research institution of higher education.  According to current statutes, the boards are responsible for the management and operation of the universities.

A Board of Regents governs the University of Washington and Washington State University.  Each board has nine members appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, to serve six year terms.

A Board of Trustees governs the regional institutions.  Each board has seven members appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, to serve a term of six years.

Students do not serve as voting members of the boards.  However, 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 they have formal sections of the board's agenda.

The regional institutions allow the associated student body presidents and a representative of the faculty senate to serve as advisory members to the boards.  The boards provide the representatives formal sections of the agenda and an opportunity to participate in the board's discussions.  Student and faculty representatives do not vote or participate in executive sessions.

SUMMARY:  The Governor will appoint one student to each governing board at the University of Washington, Washington State University, each of the regional universities, and The Evergreen State College.

Student board members will hold office for one year.  Each student board representative must be enrolled full time and be in good standing at the time of appointment.