Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Higher Education Committee |
HB 1949
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: Appointing student members on the board of trustees for community colleges.
Sponsors: Representatives Liias, Sells, Hasegawa, Upthegrove, Quall, Conway, Simpson and Ormsby.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/26/10
Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195).
Background:
The state is divided into 30 community and technical college districts. Each district has a Board of Trustees (Board) composed of five trustees appointed by the Governor. In making appointments to the Boards, the Governor must give consideration to geographical diversity; and representation by labor, business, women, and racial and ethnic minorities. The Boards for districts containing a technical college must include at least one member from business and one member from labor. Trustees serve five-year terms.
Districts in Seattle, Spokane, and Pierce counties include more than one community college. The Seattle Community College District includes North Seattle Community College, Seattle Central Community College, and South Seattle Community College. The Community Colleges of Spokane district includes Spokane Falls Community College and Spokane Community College.
Summary of Bill:
A two-year pilot program is established, authorizing the additional appointment of a student member on the Board of Trustees at Bellevue Community College, Clark College, South Seattle Community College, Spokane Community College, and Yakima Valley Community College.
The pilot program was to begin on July 1, 2009 and is scheduled to end on July 1, 2011. The student member is to be appointed by the Governor, who is to select from a list of three to five candidates submitted by the governing body of the associated students. The student member must be a full-time student in good standing at the community college at the time of appointment. Senate confirmation is required. Each student member is to hold office for one year from July 1 to June 30, or until the student member's successor is appointed and qualified, whichever is later.
Student members must excuse themselves from voting on matters relating to the hiring, discipline, or tenure of faculty members and personnel.
Each pilot college and the governing body of the associated students shall create criteria by which the pilot program must be evaluated and shall report to the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2011 regarding the success of the pilot program based on the criteria established. The report shall include recommendations on whether the student member trustee position shall be made permanent.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 25, 2010.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.