Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS

Higher Education Committee

HB 3015


This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Establishing a student position on the Bellevue Community College board of trustees.

Sponsors: Representatives Jarrett, Wallace, Anderson, Williams, Upthegrove, Hasegawa, Springer and Kelley.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Creates a two-year pilot program establishing a student position on the governing board of Bellevue Community College.

Hearing Date: 1/30/08

Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195).

Background:

The Bellevue Community College (BCC) Board of Trustees is composed of five members, appointed by the Governor. Each member serves a five-year term and must reside within the district boundaries.

The University of Washington and Washington State University are each governed by a 10 person board of regents. Nine of the members serve six-year terms. The tenth member, a student, is appointed to a one-year term. The student member is specifically prohibited from voting on matters related to hiring, discipline, or tenure of faculty members.

The Evergreen State College and the regional universities, Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, and Western Washington University, are each governed by an eight member board of trustees appointed by the Governor. Seven of the members of each board serve six-year terms. The eighth member, a student, is appointed to a one-year term. The student member cannot participate in voting on matters related to hiring, discipline, or tenure of faculty members.

Summary of Bill:

A pilot program is created to establish a student position on the BCC Board of Trustees for the two-year period from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010. The Governor, with the consent of the Senate, shall select and appoint the student member from a list of three to five candidates put forward by the governing body of the associated students.

The student member:
   

The first student member appointed shall serve from July 1, 2008 until June 30, 2009, or until the student member's successor is appointed.

The BCC, together with the governing body of BCCs associated students, must create criteria by which to evaluate this pilot program and must report to the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2009 on the status of the pilot project. The report must include recommendations as to whether the student position on the BCC Board of Trustees should be made permanent.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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