BILL REQ. #:  S-0834.1 

Read first time 01/24/2005.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to authorizing branch campuses to offer lower-division courses; amending RCW 28B.45.014, 28B.45.020, 28B.45.030, and 28B.45.040; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the University of Washington Bothell, University of Washington Tacoma, Washington State University Tri-Cities, and Washington State University Vancouver have each conducted a thorough review of the campus mission and model of educational services and made recommendations to the legislature for the future evolution of the campus. As a result of these reviews, it is the legislature's intent to authorize each campus to expand its educational offerings to include lower-division courses.

Sec. 2   RCW 28B.45.014 and 2004 c 57 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The primary mission of the higher education branch campuses created under this chapter remains to expand access to baccalaureate and master's level graduate education in underserved urban areas of the state, both in collaboration with community and technical colleges for transfer students and by offering baccalaureate programs that include lower-division courses.
     (2) Branch campuses shall collaborate with the community and technical colleges in their region to develop articulation agreements, dual admissions policies, and other partnerships to ensure that branch campuses serve as innovative models of a two plus two educational system. Other possibilities for collaboration include but are not limited to joint development of curricula and degree programs, colocation of instruction, and arrangements to share faculty.
     (3) In communities where a private postsecondary institution is located, representatives of the private institution may be invited to participate in the conversation about meeting the baccalaureate and master's level graduate needs in underserved urban areas of the state.
     (4) However, the legislature recognizes there are alternative models for achieving this primary mission. Some campuses may have additional missions in response to regional needs and demands. At selected branch campuses, an innovative combination of instruction and research targeted to support regional economic development may be appropriate to meet the region's needs for both access and economic viability. Other campuses should focus on becoming models of a two plus two educational system through continuous improvement of partnerships and agreements with community and technical colleges. Still other campuses may be best suited to transition to a four-year comprehensive university or be removed from designation as a branch campus entirely.
     (5) It is the legislature's intent that each branch campus be funded commensurate with its unique mission, the degree programs offered, and the institutional combination of instruction and research, but at a level less than a research university.
     (6) In consultation with the higher education coordinating board, a branch campus may propose legislation to authorize practice-oriented or professional doctoral programs if: (a) Unique research facilities and equipment are located near the campus; or (b) the campus can clearly demonstrate student and employer demand in the region that is linked to regional economic development.
     (7) It is not the legislature's intent to have each campus chart its own future path without legislative guidance. Instead, the legislature intends to consider carefully the mission and model of education that best suits each campus and best meets the needs of students, the community, and the region.

Sec. 3   RCW 28B.45.020 and 1994 c 217 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     The University of Washington is responsible for ensuring the expansion of ((upper-division)) baccalaureate and graduate educational programs in the central Puget Sound area under rules or guidelines adopted by the higher education coordinating board. The University of Washington shall meet that responsibility through the operation of at least two branch campuses. One branch campus shall be located in the Tacoma area. Another branch campus shall be collocated with Cascadia Community College in the Bothell-Woodinville area.

Sec. 4   RCW 28B.45.030 and 1989 1st ex.s. c 7 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     Washington State University is responsible for providing ((upper-division)) baccalaureate and graduate level higher education programs to the citizens of the Tri-Cities area, under rules or guidelines adopted by the higher education coordinating board. Washington State University shall meet that responsibility through the operation of a branch campus in the Tri-Cities area. The branch campus shall replace and supersede the Tri-Cities university center. All land, facilities, equipment, and personnel of the Tri-Cities university center shall be transferred from the University of Washington to Washington State University.

Sec. 5   RCW 28B.45.040 and 1989 1st ex.s. c 7 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     Washington State University is responsible for providing ((upper-division)) baccalaureate and graduate level higher education programs to the citizens of the southwest Washington area, under rules or guidelines adopted by the higher education coordinating board. Washington State University shall meet that responsibility through the operation of a branch campus in the southwest Washington area.