SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1331

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: House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Riccelli, Zeiger, Tarleton, Seaquist, Buys, Sawyer, Tharinger, Stonier, Bergquist, Liias, Upthegrove, Freeman, Farrell, Springer, Roberts, Jinkins, Maxwell, Fagan, Magendanz, Santos, Pollet, Fitzgibbon, Moscoso, Morrell, Fey and Dahlquist).

Background: State statute permits student participation in higher education governance. For example:

governing boards of The Evergreen State College (TESC), the state research universities, and the state regional universities must consult with student associations regarding the impacts of potential tuition increases before changing tuition rates;

the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges must consult with student associations regarding the impacts of potential tuition increases before changing tuition rates; and

students must hold at least a majority of the voting memberships on the services and activities fee committee that proposes to the governing board program priorities and budget levels for programs derived from the services and activities fees.

Students may also serve as governing members of higher education institutions. One member of the board of regents or trustees at TESC, the Washington research universities, and state regional universities is a student. Boards of trustees for each community college and technical college district may establish a sixth trustee filled by a student.

Summary of Bill: A recognized student government organization at each four-year higher education institution may form one student advisory committee (advisory committee). The purpose of this advisory committee is to advise and assist the administration on issues that directly affect student ability to access and succeed in educational programs. The issues that the advisory committee should consider include tuition and fee levels among other things.

The administration of the higher education institution must make available all nonconfidential information requested by the advisory committee and provide the committee an opportunity to present recommendations before final decisions are made.

The advisory committee must make efforts to solicit feedback from students and keep students informed of the deliberations and actions of the advisory committee.