Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Higher Education Committee |
HB 1841
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: Adding a faculty member to the governing board of each four-year institution of higher education.
Sponsors: Representatives White, Warnick, Wallace, Angel, Sells, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Goodman, Liias, Ormsby, Anderson, Haigh, Sullivan, Haler, Priest, Morris, Kenney, Schmick, Hudgins and Conway.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/3/09
Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195)
Background:
The University of Washington (UW) and Washington State University (WSU) are each governed by a board of regents. Each board has 10 members appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate. 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 (TESC) 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.In the exercise of their powers and duties, boards of regents and boards of trustees:
control the university and its property of various kinds, except as otherwise provided by law;
employ the president of the university as well as faculty members;
establish entrance and completion requirements;
establish colleges, schools, and departments necessary to carry out the purpose of the institution;
prescribe the courses of study;
grant degrees and certificates;
accept gifts and grants for the use and benefit of the institution;
enter into contracts as essential for institutional purposes; and
submit reports to the Governor and Legislature.
Each member of a board of regents or board of trustees takes an oath to faithfully and honestly discharge the duties of the position and to perform strictly and impartially to the best of his or her ability.
Summary of Bill:
It is recognized that faculty members are subject specialists with extensive experience in teaching and learning, in general, as well as in their specific fields. It is further noted that faculty members also participate in their institutions by designing and monitoring programs, including standards, curricula, and degree requirements while the boards of regents and boards of trustees are charged with establishing entrance requirements, schools, colleges, departments, and degree requirements.A full-time or emeritus member of the faculty is added to the board of regents or the board of trustees of each of the public four-year institutions. With these additions, the UW and WSU will each be governed by a board of 11. The regional universities and TESC will each have a nine member board of trustees. The change to a larger board and inclusion of a faculty member begins with the first appointment to each board after the effective date.The Governor selects the faculty member from a list of five candidates supplied by the governing body of the university or college faculty or, in the case of TESC, from a list of five candidates submitted by the college faculty. The faculty member of the board serves a six-year term. Faculty members so appointed must excuse themselves from decisions affecting faculty compensation, including union contracts.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 2, 2009.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.