HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2959

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Higher Education

Title:  An act relating to higher education collaboration grants.

Brief Description:  Authorizing collaborative grants.

Sponsors:  Representatives Carlson, Butler, Radcliff, O'Brien, Dunn and Mason.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Higher Education:  2/2/98, 2/5/98 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Carlson, Chairman; Mason, Ranking Minority Member; Kenney, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Butler; Dunn; O'Brien; Sheahan and Van Luven.

Staff:  Marilee Scarbrough (786-7196).

Background:  The Higher Education Coordinating Board's master plan for higher education projects that Washington's system of higher education needs to provide opportunities for at least 84,000 additional full-time equivalent students by the year 2010.  Many believe that greater collaboration among public and private institutions of higher education may help meet the increasing demands for higher education.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Higher Education Coordinating Board may award collaboration grants to institutions of higher education.  Public and independent institutions of higher education may participate in the program.  The grants will be used for the planning and design of instructional programs.  Approved proposals must: (1) be offered by two or more institutions of higher education; (2) be cost-effective; (3) expand student access; and (4) make use of existing classroom space and faculty expertise.  The board will evaluate the program and report to the Governor and Legislature in December of even-numbered years.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute makes technical changes and clarifies that community colleges may participate in the collaborative grant program.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  As we look forward to the future and developing new strategies for access, this is one option.  It is a strategy to encourage institutions to work together.  We could share classroom space.  We provide a richer, more diverse environment when institutions work together.  This bill provides the potential for institutions to share faculty as well as facilities.  Several collaborative agreements already exist.  We need to assure that this proposal is compatible with the accountability requirements currently required of institutions.  Additionally, we need to assure that space available data is provided by all institutions.  Currently, community and technical colleges collaborate with the four year institutions on two plus two programs.  The University of Phoenix would also like to participate in collaborative higher education efforts in the state.  The Higher Education Coordinating Board supports collaboration and maximizing resources.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:   Tom Parker, Friends of Higher Education; Dr. Philip Eaton, President Seattle  Pacific University; Kim Merriman, The Evergreen State College; Judy McNickle, Western Washington University; Jan Yoshiwara, The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; Ian McGowen, University of Phoenix; and Susan Patrick, the Higher Education Coordinating Board.