Brief Description: Requiring standards of review before changing lines of instruction at research universities.

Sponsors: Representatives Kenney, Cox, Fromhold, Priest, Berkey, Jarrett, Gombosky, Morrell, Chase, McCoy and Lantz.

Hearing Date: 2/19/03

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

Exclusive Lines of Study. Generally the state does not dictate which degree programs or major lines of study a public institution of higher education may offer. These decisions are left to the governing boards of each institution.

There are a few exceptions where state laws stipulate that only the University of Washington (UW) or Washington State University (WSU) may offer degrees in particular major lines of study:

•    Offered only by the UW: Law, medicine, forest products, logging engineering,library sciences, aeronautic and astronautic engineering, and fisheries.

•    Offered only by WSU: Agriculture (in all its branches and subdivisions), veterinary medicine, and economic science in its application to agriculture and rural life.

•    Offered only by the UW or WSU: Pharmacy, architecture, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and forest management.

HECB Program Approval. The state does, however, require the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) to approve the creation of a new degree program at any public four-year institution. There are no statutory criteria for this review. According to HECB guidelines, institutions are required to provide the following types of information:

•    Objective data regarding the need for the program;

•    Plans for how student achievement and program effectiveness will be assessed;

•    Program budget and expected enrollment; and

•    Assurances that expert reviewers attest to the quality of the program.

Electrical Engineering. As described above, currently only the UW and WSU may offer degree programs in electrical engineering. In 2002 WSU granted 76 bachelor's degrees in electrical and computer engineering. The UW granted about 135 degrees in electrical and 220 degrees in computer science and engineering. Both universities also have graduate programs. Independent institutions also offer electrical engineering programs: Seattle Pacific University, Walla Walla College, and Seattle University. Gonzaga University offers both electrical and computer engineering. Total enrollment in these programs is approximately 400 students.

Summary of Bill:

Electrical engineering as a major line of study is no longer restricted only to the UW or WSU.

Whenever the exclusive lines of study for both the UW and WSU are changed (including the change made in this bill), a higher education institution that requests HECB approval to offer a new degree program must submit certain information about its proposal to the HECB.

This information includes: a) detailed evidence of why the program is justified, including the size and scope of student, employer, and community demand; b) a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis; c) projected future enrollment; and d) any other information the HECB may require regarding demand, need, and cost-effectiveness.

The HECB will submit a complete analysis of such a proposal to the House and Senate Higher Education Committees prior to making its final determination on the program.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 11, 2003.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.