Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Higher Education Committee

SSB 5177

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.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development (originally sponsored by Senators Shin, Delvin, Kastama, King, Rockefeller, McAuliffe, Pridemore, Hobbs, Fraser, McDermott, Jarrett, Kilmer, Keiser, Hatfield and Roach).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Creates the Global Asia Institute within the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington.
Permits the Higher Education Coordinating Board to solicit, accept, receive, and administer federal and private funds in support of the Institute.

Background:

The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington (UW) was founded in 1909 and combines the social sciences, humanities, and professional fields to forge disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to the understanding of global affairs. The Jackson School currently offers undergraduate and graduate studies in China, Japan, Korea, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.

The Jackson School has eight National Resource Centers, which receive funding and designation from the U.S. Department of Education. These centers are devoted to outreach and public education activities for teachers, business people, and the general community. Each year the Jackson School sponsors conferences, colloquia, and seminars featuring the works of scholars, business people, and diplomats from around the world. The current centers include an East Asia Center, a South Asia Center, and a Southeast Asian Center.

Summary of Bill:

A Global Asia Institute (Institute) is created within the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. The mission of the Institute is to promote the understanding of Asia and its interactions with Washington and the world.

The Institute must host visiting scholars and policymakers, sponsor programs and learning initiatives, engage in collaborative research projects, and facilitate broader understanding and cooperation between the state of Washington and Asia through general public programs and targeted collaborations with specific communities in the state.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board is permitted to solicit, accept, receive, and administer federal and private funds in support of the Institute.