BILL REQ. #:  S-1683.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/22/13.   

     AN ACT Relating to self-supporting, fee-based programs at four-year institutions of higher education; and adding a new section to chapter 28B.15 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28B.15 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) When a decision is being considered to change an existing degree program that is supported by state funding to a program that is self-supporting and fee-based, the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College shall:
     (a) Notify enrolled undergraduate or graduate student government associations at least six months before implementation with an estimate of tuition and fees;
     (b) Publicly notify prospective students, including notification in admissions offers with an estimate of tuition and fees; and
     (c) Allow students currently enrolled in the program to continue in the state-supported program structure for a consecutive amount of time no greater than four years in length.
     (2) The state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College shall each establish or designate a committee composed of administrators, faculty, and students to create criteria upon which to evaluate, before a decision is made, the proposed shift of a degree program from a state-supported degree program to a self-supporting funding basis. Where possible, an existing budget or advisory committee shall be designated in lieu of establishing a new committee.
     (3) When establishing evaluation criteria, the committee shall consider including the following:
     (a) Financial health and sustainability of the program;
     (b) If moving the program to a self-sustaining funding basis alters the availability of student financial aid;
     (c) The audience for the program, the format of the program, and the institutional priority for state funding of the program;
     (d) Demographics of students served and graduates practicing in typical fields of study; and
     (e) Alternatives to shifting to a self-sustaining funding basis, including raising tuition within the state-funded context or program elimination.
     (4) The committee that creates the criteria for moving a degree from state-supported to self-supporting, fee-based program may also establish a process to periodically evaluate programs that have shifted from a state-supported program to a fee-based funding model for alignment with the criteria established.