Title: An act relating to admission standards for public four-year institutions of higher education.

Brief Description: Requiring the public institutions of higher education to use admission standards similar to those used by United States military academies.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Kline, Kohl-Welles and Mulliken.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education: 2/11/05.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING, K-12 & HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff: Brian Jeffries (786-7422)

Background: Under current state law, the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) has the authority to set minimum admissions standards for the state baccalaureate institutions of higher education. The institutions may set additional requirements above the HECB minimum standards.

Summary of Bill: The Higher Education Coordinating Board would be required to include policies identical to those used by the United States military academy to create a diverse student body when establishing the minimum admissions standards for the state baccalaureate institutions of higher education.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: The goals of the United States military is a diverse military force. Diversity in the ranks promotes stability and strength. The institutions of higher education should also pursue diversity among its students. The military sets an appropriate example for how to achieve such diversity.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Senator Ken Jacobsen, prime sponsor; Jim Huckabay, Council of Faculty Representatives.