H-3762.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2831
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 57th Legislature 2002 Regular Session
By Representatives Fromhold, Kenney, Cox and Ogden
Read first time 01/29/2002. Referred to Committee on Higher Education.
AN ACT Relating to a review of the current role of branch campuses in comparison with their original mission and an analysis of their future role by the Washington state institute for public policy; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Branch campuses were first established in 1989, in response to the need to expand access to upper-division and master's level degree programs for students living in major urban areas of the state. Since the establishment of branch campuses no comprehensive assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the campuses in fulfilling their mission of instruction, scholarship, and services, in addition to meeting enrollment and other legislatively mandated goals. A review of branch campuses should be conducted to determine if the original intent of branch campuses is being met. It is also necessary to determine if the original goals are compatible with current educational needs and whether the branch campus system has the flexibility and capacity to respond adequately to future needs in higher education.
The Washington state institute for public policy shall review and evaluate the following: (1) The original mission for branch campuses; (2) the extent to which branch campuses are meeting their original mission; (3) the original mission of branch campuses in relation to current needs in higher education; and (4) what policy or procedural changes should be implemented to allow branch campuses to respond more effectively to demographic changes in student populations and other dynamic market forces in higher education statewide, and the unique educational needs in their respective communities.
The Washington state institute for public policy shall submit a draft report to the appropriate legislative committees by September 1, 2002, with the final report to be submitted by December 12, 2002.
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