Brief Description: Authorizing agreements between community and technical colleges and four-year institutions of higher education to provide degree programs.

Sponsors: Representatives Priest, Nixon, Ericks, Simpson, Eickmeyer, Dunn, Haler, Woods, Hankins, Sells, Tom and Kenney.

Hearing Date: 3/1/05

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

The two-plus-two model of higher education is provided in Washington in several ways. Four branch campuses offer upper-division and graduate coursework. There are also a number of university centers where four-year institutions have collaborated with community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees off the main university campus. Most centers represent fewer than 25 students in a single degree program. Only six centers enroll more than 100 full-time equivalent students.

Decisions about whether to offer a degree program off-campus and what programs to offer rest with the four-year institutions. No state funding is provided directly for this purpose. Some institutions allocate state-supported enrollment to center programs. Others offer programs only where the costs can be self-sustaining. A recent analysis of baccalaureate capacity by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) showed regional gaps in access for placebound students seeking degrees through a two-plus-two model. However, if limited funding is provided for additional enrollment, a four-year institution must decide whether to expand access through off-campus programs or focus on the main campus.

Summary of Bill:

Subject to legislative appropriation for this purpose, a community or technical college can enter into an agreement with a regional university, The Evergreen State College, or a branch campus to offer baccalaureate degree programs on the college campus. Alternatively, the SBCTC could enter into a master agreement to offer programs on multiple campuses.

Allocation of funds among colleges must be based on analysis of gaps in service delivery, capacity, and student and employer demand for programs. Students enrolled in these programs are considered students of the four-year institution or branch campus for all purposes, including tuition and reporting of state-funded enrollment.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.