Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Higher Education Committee |
HB 2546
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 representative to the membership of the board of regents at the University of Washington.
Sponsors: Representatives Pollet, Tarleton, Reykdal, Stanford, McBride, Sells and Bergquist.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/20/16
Staff: Megan Mulvihill (786-7304).
Background:
The University of Washington Board of Regents.
The University of Washington (UW) is governed by a Board of Regents, which consists of ten members, one of whom is a student. The Board of Regents' members are appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate. The members hold terms of six years, except for the student member who holds a one-year term. The student member is not allowed to participate or vote on matters related to the hiring, discipline, or tenure of faculty members and personnel.
The Board of Regents has the following powers and duties:
maintain full control over the UW and its property;
employ the university president, faculty, staff, and all UW employees;
establish admissions requirements;
establish colleges, schools, or departments to carry out the purposes of the university;
prescribe courses of study with assistance from faculty;
grant certificates and degrees, including honorary degrees;
accept gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises for the use or benefit of the university, and sell, lease, exchange, invest, or expend the same or the proceeds, rents, profits, and income from such;
enter into contracts deemed necessary for the university;
submit reports to the Governor and Legislature; and
offer new degree programs, off-campus programs, participate in consortia or centers, contract for off-campus educational programs, and purchase or lease major off-campus facilities.
The University of Washington Faculty Senate.
The UW Faculty Senate is the legislative body of the faculty, and it consists of 122 elected senators. The leadership of the Faculty Senate consists of the Senate Executive Committee, which is led by the chair. The Faculty Senate works with the university president to formulate regulations and procedures on matters related to:
education policy;
student conduct and activities;
scholastic policy;
approval of candidates for degrees;
criteria for faculty tenure, appointment, and promotion; and
recommendations for campus and university budgets.
Summary of Bill:
The immediate past chair of the UW Faculty Senate shall be one of the 10 members of the UW Board of Regents, and the position is not subject to appointment by the Governor or approval by the Senate.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.