BILL REQ. #:  H-2075.1 

Read first time 02/28/2005.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to evaluating the need for a new four-year institution of higher education; creating new sections; making an appropriation; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that, over the next decade, large numbers of Washington students will graduate from high school and seek access to higher education. Washington continues to lag significantly behind other states in its production of students with baccalaureate degrees and graduate degrees. The legislature further finds that in Clark and Cowlitz counties, the two largest counties in southwest Washington, the baccalaureate attainment rate is less than the state average, and less than half the rate of Seattle.
     (2) The legislature also finds that a new public four-year institution of higher education has not been created in the state of Washington since 1967. The three comprehensive institutions of higher education were created in the late 1890s when the state normal schools were established and no new comprehensive institution of higher education has been created since then.
     (3) The legislature further finds that although several regions of the state do not have reasonable access to a four-year institution of higher education, population growth in southwest Washington clearly outstrips availability of higher education options. Nearly five hundred thousand people live and work in the region. Creation of an additional four-year institution or the conversion of an existing institution should complement the existing structure and provide additional options for students.
     (4) The legislature intends to create a four-year baccalaureate degree-granting institution following the completion of the report required in section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The Washington state institute for public policy is directed to evaluate and recommend to the legislature whether a four-year baccalaureate degree-granting institution should be created in southwest Washington.
     (2) The institute shall:
     (a) Analyze data indicating demand for and access to four-year degrees in the region; and
     (b) Conduct a comprehensive review of existing estimates of needs for specific degree programs.
     (3) In conducting the evaluation, the institute shall consult with the higher education coordinating board, the state board for community and technical colleges, the work force training and education coordinating board, the existing research and regional institutions, and local community colleges. The higher education coordinating board, the state board for community and technical colleges, the work force training and education coordinating board, and the existing research and comprehensive institutions shall provide data to the institute necessary to complete this study.
     (4) By December 1, 2005, the institute shall provide a report to the legislature and the governor recommending the type of four-year baccalaureate degree-granting institution to be created and a schedule for constructing and staffing the new institution. In addition, the report shall estimate the costs to establish the new institution, including, but not limited to: Land acquisition, master plan, design and construction, staffing, and number of enrollments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to The Evergreen State College for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, to carry out the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act expires June 30, 2006.