SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 2841

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Higher Education, February 26, 2002

Title:  An act relating to the appointment of a student member to the higher education coordinating board.

Brief Description:  Requiring a student member on the higher education coordinating board.

Sponsors:  Representatives Chase, Cox, Kenney, Jarrett, Fromhold, Lysen, Edwards, Upthegrove, Rockefeller, Haigh, Esser and McDermott.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/21/02, 2/26/02 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

Signed by Senators Kohl‑Welles, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Carlson, Horn, Jacobsen, McAuliffe and Parlette.

Staff:  Jean Six (786‑7423)

Background:  The Higher Education Coordinating Board was created by the Legislature in 1985 "to provide planning, coordination, monitoring, and policy analysis for higher education in the state of Washington in cooperation and consultation with the institutions' autonomous governing boards and with all other segments of postsecondary education ....  The legislature intends that the board represent the broad public interest above the interests of the individual colleges and universities."

The current board consists of nine members, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, each serving four-year terms.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The Higher Education Coordinating Board consists of ten members, one of whom is a student appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate.  The student member serves a one-year term from the first of July.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The amendment clarifies the student term is one year.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Students are not consulted about higher education.  There are students on institutional governing boards.  The HECB, on February 6, passed a resolution recommending a student member.  Mr. Gaspard takes exception with a statement in the House Bill Report that the board ignores students.  The student member should be in addition to the nine original members.  The board works for consensus so a tie vote would not be likely.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Maralyn Chase, prime sponsor; Marc Gaspard, Executive Director, HECB; Stacey Valentin, WWU, WSL.