AN ACT Relating to higher education; and amending RCW 28B.20.130, 28B.30.150, 28B.35.120, 28B.40.120, 28B.50.090, 28B.50.140, and 28B.80.030.

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

Sec. 1. Section 28B.20.130, chapter 223, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. as amended by section 20, chapter 75, Laws of 1977 and RCW 28B.20.130 are each amended to read as follows:

General powers and duties of the board of regents are as follows:

(1) To have full control of the university and its property of various kinds.

(2) To employ the president of the university, his assistants, members of the faculty, and employees of the institution, who except as otherwise provided by law, shall hold their positions during the pleasure of said board of regents. Salary increases for the president of the university and all exempt administrative staff shall not exceed the average increase granted to university faculty in the appropriate biennial budget unless such an increase is approved in advance by the council for postsecondary education or its successor agency.

(3) Establish entrance requirements for students seeking admission to the university. Completion of examinations satisfactory to the university may be a prerequisite for entrance by any applicant at the university's discretion. Evidence of completion of public high schools and other educational institutions whose courses of study meet the approval of the university may be acceptable for entrance.

(4) Establish such colleges, schools or departments necessary to carry out the purpose of the university and not otherwise proscribed by law.

(5) With the assistance of the faculty of the university, prescribe the course of study in the various colleges, schools and departments of the institution and publish the necessary catalogues thereof.

(6) Grant to students such certificates or degrees as recommended for such students by the faculty. The board, upon recommendation of the faculty, may also confer honorary degrees upon persons other than graduates of this university in recognition of their learning or devotion to literature, art or science: PROVIDED, That no degree shall ever be conferred in consideration of the payment of money or the giving of property of whatsoever kind.

(7) Accept such gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests and devises, whether real or personal property, or both, in trust or otherwise, for the use or benefit of the university, its colleges, schools, departments, or agencies; and sell, lease or exchange, invest or expend the same or the proceeds, rents, profits and income thereof except as limited by the terms of said gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests and devises. The board shall adopt proper rules to govern and protect the receipt and expenditure of the proceeds of all fees, and the proceeds, rents, profits and income of all gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests and devises above-mentioned, and shall make full report of the same in the customary biennial report to the governor and members of the legislature, or more frequently if required by law((~~: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That nothing herein contained shall be construed to repeal, amend or in any way modify any of the provisions of RCW 28B.20.380~~)).

(8) Except as otherwise provided by law, to enter into such contracts as the regents deem essential to university purposes.

(9) To submit upon request such reports as will be helpful to the governor and to the legislature in providing for the institution.

Sec. 2. Section 28B.30.150, chapter 223, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. as last amended by section 21, chapter 75, Laws of 1977 and RCW 28B.30.150 are each amended to read as follows:

The regents of Washington State University, in addition to other duties prescribed by law, shall:

(1) Have full control of the university and its property of various kinds.

(2) Employ the president of the university, his assistants, members of the faculty, and employees of the university, who, except as otherwise provided by law, shall hold their positions during the pleasure of said board of regents. Salary increases for the president of the university and all exempt administrative staff shall not exceed the average increase granted to university faculty in the appropriate biennial budget unless such an increase is approved in advance by the council for postsecondary education or its successor agency.

(3) Establish entrance requirements for students seeking admission to the university. Completion of examinations satisfactory to the university may be a prerequisite for entrance by any applicant, at the university's discretion. Evidence of completion of public high schools and other educational institutions whose courses of study meet the approval of the university may be acceptable for entrance.

(4) Establish such colleges, schools or departments necessary to carry out the purpose of the university and not otherwise proscribed by law.

(5) With the assistance of the faculty of the university, prescribe the courses of instruction in the various colleges, schools and departments of the institution and publish the necessary catalogues thereof.

(6) Collect such information as the board deems desirable as to the schemes of technical instruction adopted in other parts of the United States and foreign countries.

(7) Provide for holding agricultural institutes including farm marketing forums.

(8) Provide that instruction given in the university, as far as practicable, be conveyed by means of laboratory work and provide in connection with the university one or more physical, chemical, and biological laboratories, and suitably furnish and equip the same.

(9) Provide training in military tactics for those students electing to participate therein.

(10) Establish a department of elementary science and in connection therewith provide instruction in elementary mathematics, including elementary trigonometry, elementary mechanics, elementary and mechanical drawing and land surveying.

(11) Establish a department of agriculture and in connection therewith provide instruction in physics with special application of its principles to agriculture, chemistry with special application of its principles to agriculture, morphology and physiology of plants with special reference to common grown crops and fungus enemies, morphology and physiology of the lower forms of animal life, with special reference to insect pests, morphology and physiology of the higher forms of animal life and in particular of the horse, cow, sheep and swine, agriculture with special reference to the breeding and feeding of livestock and the best mode of cultivation of farm produce, and mining and metallurgy, appointing demonstrators in each of these subjects to superintend the equipment of a laboratory and to give practical instruction therein.

(12) Establish agricultural experiment stations in connection with the department of agriculture, including at least one in the western portion of the state, and appoint the officers and prescribe regulations for their management.

(13) Grant to students such certificates or degrees, as recommended for such students by the faculty.

(14) Confer honorary degrees upon persons other than graduates of the university in recognition of their learning or devotion to literature, art or science when recommended thereto by the faculty: PROVIDED, That no degree shall ever be conferred in consideration of the payment of money or the giving of property of whatsoever kind.

(15) Adopt plans and specifications for university buildings and facilities or improvements thereto and employ skilled architects and engineers to prepare such plans and specifications and supervise the construction of buildings or facilities which the board is authorized to erect, and fix the compensation for such services. The board shall enter into contracts with one or more contractors for such suitable buildings, facilities or improvements as the available funds will warrant, upon the most advantageous terms offered at a public competitive letting, pursuant to public notice under regulations established by the board. The board shall require of all persons with whom they contract for construction and improvements a good and sufficient bond for the faithful performance of the work and full protection against all liens.

(16) Except as otherwise provided by law, direct the disposition of all money appropriated to or belonging to the state university.

(17) Receive and expend the money appropriated under the act of congress approved May 8, 1914, entitled "An Act to provide for cooperative agricultural extension work between the agricultural colleges in the several States receiving the benefits of the Act of Congress approved July 2, 1862, and Acts supplemental thereto and the United States Department of Agriculture" and organize and conduct agricultural extension work in connection with the state university in accordance with the terms and conditions expressed in the acts of congress.

(18) Except as otherwise provided by law, to enter into such contracts as the regents deem essential to university purposes.

(19) Acquire by lease, gift, or otherwise, lands necessary to further the work of the university or for experimental or demonstrational purposes.

(20) Establish and maintain at least one agricultural experiment station in an irrigation district to conduct investigational work upon the principles and practices of irrigational agriculture including the utilization of water and its relation to soil types, crops, climatic conditions, ditch and drain construction, fertility investigations, plant disease, insect pests, marketing, farm management, utilization of fruit byproducts and general development of agriculture under irrigation conditions.

(21) Supervise and control the agricultural experiment station at Puyallup.

(22) Establish and maintain at Wenatchee an agricultural experiment substation for the purpose of conducting investigational work upon the principles and practices of orchard culture, spraying, fertilization, pollenization, new fruit varieties, fruit diseases and pests, byproducts, marketing, management and general horticultural problems.

(23) Accept such gifts, grants, conveyances, devises and bequests, whether real or personal property, in trust or otherwise, for the use or benefit of the university, its colleges, schools or departments; and sell, lease or exchange, invest or expend the same or the proceeds, rents, profits and income thereof except as limited by the terms of said gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests and devises; adopt proper rules to govern and protect the receipt and expenditure of the proceeds of all fees, and the proceeds, rents, profits and income of all gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests and devises, and make full report thereof in a biennial report to the governor and members of the legislature.

(24) Construct when the board so determines a new foundry and a mining, physical, technological building and fabrication shop at the university, or add to the present foundry and other buildings, in order that both instruction and research be expanded to include permanent molding and die casting with a section for new fabricating techniques, especially for light metals, including magnesium and aluminum; purchase equipment for the shops and laboratories in mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering; establish a pilot plant for the extraction of alumina from native clays and other possible light metal research; purchase equipment for a research laboratory for technological research generally; and purchase equipment for research in electronics, instrumentation, energy sources, plastics, food technology, mechanics of materials, hydraulics and similar fields.

(25) Make and transmit to the governor and members of the legislature upon request such reports as will be helpful in providing for the institution.

Sec. 3. Section 48, chapter 169, Laws of 1977 ex. sess. and RCW 28B.35.120 are each amended to read as follows:

In addition to any other powers and duties prescribed by law, each board of trustees of the respective regional universities:

(1) Shall have full control of the regional university and its property of various kinds.

(2) Shall employ the president of the regional university, his assistants, members of the faculty, and other employees of the institution, who, except as otherwise provided by law, shall hold their positions, until discharged therefrom by the board for good and lawful reason. Salary increases for the president of each regional university and all exempt administrative staff of each regional university shall not exceed the average increase granted to that regional university's faculty in the appropriate biennial budget unless such an increase is approved in advance by the council for postsecondary education or its successor agency.

(3) With the assistance of the faculty of the regional university, shall prescribe the course of study in the various schools and departments thereof and publish such catalogues thereof as the board deems necessary: PROVIDED, That the state board of education shall determine the requisites for and give program approval of all courses leading to teacher certification by such board.

(4) Establish such divisions, schools or departments necessary to carry out the purposes of the regional university and not otherwise proscribed by law.

(5) Except as otherwise provided by law, may establish and erect such new facilities as determined by the board to be necessary for the regional university.

(6) May acquire real and other property as provided in RCW 28B.10.020, as now or hereafter amended.

(7) Except as otherwise provided by law, may purchase all supplies and purchase or lease equipment and other personal property needed for the operation or maintenance of the regional university.

(8) May establish, lease, operate, equip and maintain self-supporting facilities in the manner provided in RCW 28B.10.300 through 28B.10.330, as now or hereafter amended.

(9) Except as otherwise provided by law, to enter into such contracts as the trustees deem essential to regional university purposes.

(10) May receive such gifts, grants, conveyances, devises and bequests of real or personal property from whatsoever source, as may be made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, whenever the terms and conditions thereof will aid in carrying out the regional university programs; sell, lease or exchange, invest or expend the same or the proceeds, rents, profits and income thereof except as limited by the terms and conditions thereof; and adopt regulations to govern the receipt and expenditure of the proceeds, rents, profits and income thereof.

(11) May promulgate such rules and regulations, and perform all other acts not forbidden by law, as the board of trustees may in its discretion deem necessary or appropriate to the administration of the regional university.

Sec. 4. Section 28B.40.120, chapter 223, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. as amended by section 68, chapter 169, Laws of 1977 ex. sess. and RCW 28B.40.120 are each amended to read as follows:

In addition to any other powers and duties prescribed by law, the board of trustees of The Evergreen State College:

(1) Shall have full control of the state college and its property of various kinds.

(2) Shall employ the president of the state college, his assistants, members of the faculty, and other employees of the institution, who, except as otherwise provided by law, shall hold their positions, until discharged therefrom by the board for good and lawful reason. Salary increases for the president of the state college and all exempt administrative staff shall not exceed the average increase granted to the state college faculty in the appropriate biennial budget unless such an increase is approved in advance by the council for postsecondary education or its successor agency.

(3) With the assistance of the faculty of the state college, shall prescribe the course of study in the various schools and departments thereof and publish such catalogues thereof as the board deems necessary: PROVIDED, That the state board of education shall determine the requisites for and give program approval of all courses leading to teacher certification by such board.

(4) Establish such divisions, schools or departments necessary to carry out the purposes of the college and not otherwise proscribed by law.

(5) Except as otherwise provided by law, may establish and erect such new facilities as determined by the board to be necessary for the college.

(6) May acquire real and other property as provided in RCW 28B.10.020, as now or hereafter amended.

(7) Except as otherwise provided by law, may purchase all supplies and purchase or lease equipment and other personal property needed for the operation or maintenance of the college.

(8) May establish, lease, operate, equip and maintain self-supporting facilities in the manner provided in RCW 28B.10.300 through 28B.10.330, as now or hereafter amended.

(9) Except as otherwise provided by law, to enter into such contracts as the trustees deem essential to college purposes.

(10) May receive such gifts, grants, conveyances, devises and bequests of real or personal property from whatsoever source, as may be made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, whenever the terms and conditions thereof will aid in carrying out the college programs; sell, lease or exchange, invest or expend the same or the proceeds, rents, profits and income thereof except as limited by the terms and conditions thereof; and adopt regulations to govern the receipt and expenditure of the proceeds, rents, profits and income thereof.

Sec. 5. Section 28B.50.090, chapter 223, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. as last amended by section 1, chapter 50, Laws of 1982 and RCW 28B.50.090 are each amended to read as follows:

The college board shall have general supervision and control over the state system of community colleges. In addition to the other powers and duties imposed upon the college board by this chapter, the college board shall be charged with the following powers, duties and responsibilities:

(1) Review the budgets prepared by the community college boards of trustees, prepare a single budget for the support of the state system of community colleges and adult education, and submit this budget to the governor as provided in RCW 43.88.090; the coordinating council shall assist with the preparation of the community college budget that has to do with vocational education programs;

(2) Establish guidelines for the disbursement of funds; and receive and disburse such funds for adult education and maintenance and operation and capital support of the community college districts in conformance with the state and district budgets, and in conformance with chapter 43.88 RCW;

(3) Approve in advance any salary increases for community college presidents and administrative exempt staff that exceed the average increase granted to that same community college's faculty in the appropriate biennial budget.

(4) Ensure, through the full use of its authority:

(a) that each community college district shall offer thoroughly comprehensive educational, training and service programs to meet the needs of both the communities and students served by combining, with equal emphasis, high standards of excellence in academic transfer courses; realistic and practical courses in occupational education, both graded and ungraded; and community services of an educational, cultural, and recreational nature; and adult education: PROVIDED, That notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, a community college shall not be required to offer a program of vocational-technical training, when such a program as approved by the coordinating council for occupational education is already operating in the district;

(b) that each community college district shall maintain an open-door policy, to the end that no student will be denied admission because of the location of his residence or because of his educational background or ability; that, insofar as is practical in the judgment of the college board, curriculum offerings will be provided to meet the educational and training needs of the community generally and the students thereof; and that all students, regardless of their differing courses of study, will be considered, known and recognized equally as members of the student body: PROVIDED, That the administrative officers of a community college may deny admission to a prospective student or attendance to an enrolled student if, in their judgment, he would not be competent to profit from the curriculum offerings of the community college, or would, by his presence or conduct, create a disruptive atmosphere within the community college not consistent with the purposes of the institution;

((~~(4)~~)) (5) Prepare a comprehensive master plan for the development of community college education and training in the state; and assist the office of financial management in the preparation of enrollment projections to support plans for providing adequate community college facilities in all areas of the state;

((~~(5)~~)) (6) Define and administer criteria and guidelines for the establishment of new community colleges or campuses within the existing districts;

((~~(6)~~)) (7) Establish criteria and procedures for modifying district boundary lines consistent with the purposes set forth in RCW 28B.50.020 as now or hereafter amended and in accordance therewith make such changes as it deems advisable;

((~~(7)~~)) (8) Establish minimum standards to govern the operation of the community colleges with respect to:

(a) qualifications and credentials of instructional and key administrative personnel, except as otherwise provided in the state plan for vocational education,

(b) internal budgeting, accounting, auditing, and financial procedures as necessary to supplement the general requirements prescribed pursuant to chapter 43.88 RCW,

(c) the content of the curriculums and other educational and training programs, and the requirement for degrees and certificates awarded by the colleges,

(d) standard admission policies,

(e) eligibility of courses to receive state fund support;

((~~(8)~~)) (9) Establish and administer criteria and procedures for all capital construction including the establishment, installation, and expansion of facilities within the various community college districts;

((~~(9)~~)) (10) Encourage innovation in the development of new educational and training programs and instructional methods; coordinate research efforts to this end; and disseminate the findings thereof;

((~~(10)~~)) (11) Exercise any other powers, duties and responsibilities necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

((~~(11)~~)) (12) Authorize the various community colleges to offer programs and courses in other districts when it determines that such action is consistent with the purposes set forth in RCW 28B.50.020 as now or hereafter amended;

((~~(12)~~)) (13) Notwithstanding any other law or statute regarding the sale of state property, sell or exchange and convey any or all interest in any community college real and personal property, except such property as is received by a community college district in accordance with RCW 28B.50.140(8), when it determines that such property is surplus or that such a sale or exchange is in the best interests of the community college system;

((~~(13)~~)) (14) In order that the treasurer for the state board for community college education appointed in accordance with RCW 28B.50.085 may make vendor payments, the state treasurer will honor warrants drawn by the state board providing for an initial advance on July 1, 1982, of the current biennium and on July 1 of each succeeding biennium from the state general fund in an amount equal to twenty-four percent of the average monthly allotment for such budgeted biennium expenditures for the state board for community college education as certified by the office of financial management; and at the conclusion of such initial month and for each succeeding month of any biennium, the state treasurer will reimburse expenditures incurred and reported monthly by the state board treasurer in accordance with chapter 43.88 RCW: PROVIDED, That the reimbursement to the state board for actual expenditures incurred in the final month of each biennium shall be less the initial advance made in such biennium;

((~~(14)~~)) (15) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection ((~~(12)~~)) (13) of this section, may receive such gifts, grants, conveyances, devises, and bequests of real or personal property from private sources as may be made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, whenever the terms and conditions thereof will aid in carrying out the community college programs and may sell, lease or exchange, invest or expend the same or the proceeds, rents, profits and income thereof according to the terms and conditions thereof; and adopt regulations to govern the receipt and expenditure of the proceeds, rents, profits and income thereof.

The college board shall have the power of eminent domain.

Sec. 6. Section 6, chapter 14, Laws of 1979 as last amended by section 3, chapter 246, Laws of 1981 and RCW 28B.50.140 are each amended to read as follows:

Each community college board of trustees:

(1) Shall operate all existing community colleges and vocational-technical institutes in its district;

(2) Shall create comprehensive programs of community college education and training and maintain an open-door policy in accordance with the provisions of RCW 28B.50.090(3);

(3) Shall employ for a period to be fixed by the board a college president for each community college, a director for each vocational-technical institute or school operated by a community college, a district president, if deemed necessary by the board, in the event there is more than one college and/or separated institute or school located in the district, members of the faculty and such other administrative officers and other employees as may be necessary or appropriate and fix their salaries and duties. Salary increases for presidents and other exempt administrative staff shall not exceed the average increase granted to the respective campus faculty in the appropriate biennial budget unless such an increase is approved in advance by the state board for community college education;

(4) May establish, under the approval and direction of the college board, new facilities as community needs and interests demand;

(5) May establish or lease, operate, equip and maintain dormitories, food service facilities, bookstores and other self-supporting facilities connected with the operation of the community college;

(6) May, with the approval of the college board, borrow money and issue and sell revenue bonds or other evidences of indebtedness for the construction, reconstruction, erection, equipping with permanent fixtures, demolition and major alteration of buildings or other capital assets, and the acquisition of sites, rights-of-way, easements, improvements or appurtenances, for dormitories, food service facilities, and other self-supporting facilities connected with the operation of the community college in accordance with the provisions of RCW 28B.10.300 through 28B.10.330 where applicable;

(7) May establish fees and charges for the facilities authorized hereunder, including reasonable rules and regulations for the government thereof, not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of the college board; each board of trustees operating a community college may enter into agreements, subject to rules and regulations of the college board, with owners of facilities to be used for housing regarding the management, operation, and government of such facilities, and any board entering into such an agreement may:

(a) Make rules and regulations for the government, management and operation of such housing facilities deemed necessary or advisable; and

(b) Employ necessary employees to govern, manage and operate the same;

(8) May receive such gifts, grants, conveyances, devises and bequests of real or personal property from private sources, as may be made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, whenever the terms and conditions thereof will aid in carrying out the community college programs as specified by law and the regulations of the state college board; sell, lease or exchange, invest or expend the same or the proceeds, rents, profits and income thereof according to the terms and conditions thereof; and adopt regulations to govern the receipt and expenditure of the proceeds, rents, profits and income thereof;

(9) May establish and maintain night schools whenever in the discretion of the board of trustees it is deemed advisable, and authorize classrooms and other facilities to be used for summer or night schools, or for public meetings and for any other uses consistent with the use of such classrooms or facilities for community college purposes;

(10) May make rules and regulations for pedestrian and vehicular traffic on property owned, operated, or maintained by the community college district;

(11) Shall prescribe, with the assistance of the faculty, the course of study in the various departments of the community college or colleges under its control, and publish such catalogues and bulletins as may become necessary;

(12) May grant to every student, upon graduation or completion of a course of study, a suitable diploma, nonbaccalaureate degree or certificate;

(13) Shall enforce the rules and regulations prescribed by the state board for community college education for the government of community colleges, students and teachers, and promulgate such rules and regulations and perform all other acts not inconsistent with law or rules and regulations of the state board for community college education as the board of trustees may in its discretion deem necessary or appropriate to the administration of community college districts: PROVIDED, That such rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, rules and regulations relating to housing, scholarships, conduct at the various community college facilities, and discipline: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That the board of trustees may suspend or expel from community colleges students who refuse to obey any of the duly promulgated rules and regulations;

(14) May, by written order filed in its office, delegate to the president or district president any of the powers and duties vested in or imposed upon it by this chapter. Such delegated powers and duties may be exercised in the name of the district board;

(15) May perform such other activities consistent with this chapter and not in conflict with the directives of the college board;

(16) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, may offer educational services on a contractual basis other than the tuition and fee basis set forth in chapter 28B.15 RCW for a special fee to private or governmental entities, consistent with rules and regulations adopted by the state board for community college education: PROVIDED, That the whole of such special fee shall go to the college district and be not less than the full instructional costs of such services: PROVIDED FURTHER, That enrollments generated hereunder shall not be counted toward the official enrollment level of the college district for state funding purposes;

(17) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, may offer educational services on a contractual basis, charging tuition and fees as set forth in chapter 28B.15 RCW, counting such enrollments for state funding purposes, and may additionally charge a special supplemental fee when necessary to cover the full instructional costs of such services: PROVIDED, That such contracts shall be subject to review by the state board for community college education and to such rules as the state board may adopt for that purpose in order to assure that the sum of the supplemental fee and the normal state funding shall not exceed the projected total cost of offering the educational service: PROVIDED FURTHER, That enrollments generated by courses offered on the basis of contracts requiring payment of a share of the normal costs of the course will be discounted to the percentage provided by the college;

(18) Shall be authorized to pay dues to any association of trustees that may be formed by the various boards of trustees; such association may expend any or all of such funds to submit biennially, or more often if necessary, to the governor and to the legislature, the recommendations of the association regarding changes which would affect the efficiency of such association; and

(19) Shall perform any other duties and responsibilities imposed by law or rule and regulation of the state board.

Sec. 7. Section 3, chapter 277, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. as amended by section 3, chapter 132, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. and RCW 28B.80.030 are each amended to read as follows:

The council may perform any of the following functions:

(1) Engage in overall planning for postsecondary education in the state, which shall include the collection and analysis of necessary data from public, and where appropriate private institutions of postsecondary education. The purpose shall be to:

(a) Assess and define the educational needs of the state to be served by postsecondary education;

(b) Recommend and coordinate studies to ascertain how defined educational needs are being met;

(c) Study and make recommendations concerning adult education, continuing education, public service and postsecondary educational programs;

(d) Identify priorities among the defined needs and specify the resources necessary to meet them;

(e) Differentiate roles of the community college system and the individual public institutions and identify the most effective division of responsibility among them in meeting defined needs. To facilitate this, review and recommend the creation of all new degrees and recommend which institutions shall award them; and evaluate proposals for the elimination of existing degrees. Identify changing conditions which may require the revision of these roles and division of responsibility of the institutions.

(2) In the execution of the above planning responsibilities, develop criteria for the need for new baccalaureate institutions; and recommend the establishment, location and role of any new public baccalaureate granting institutions, and review the plans for the community college system in terms of their articulation with planning for postsecondary education in the state.

(3) Study levels of fees and charges to students and, when necessary, make recommendations to the institutions, legislature, and governor.

(4) Study and make recommendations concerning admission and transfer policies.

(5) Review individual institutional operating budget requests to determine the conformity or lack thereof to the state's postsecondary education plan: PROVIDED, That its review of community colleges be limited to the plan prepared by the state board for community college education.

(6) Review the individual institutional capital budget requests to determine their conformity or lack thereof to the state's postsecondary education plan: PROVIDED, That its review of community colleges be limited to the plan prepared by the state board for community college education.

(7) Approve in advance any salary increase for presidents and other exempt administrative staff of the baccalaureate granting public institutions of higher education that exceed the average increase granted to that same institution's faculty in the appropriate biennial budget.

(8) Study and make recommendations for the development of improved practices of administrative management in order to facilitate the most efficient operation of the public institutions and the avoidance of unnecessary duplication among the institutions.

((~~(8)~~)) (9) At the request of the governor, legislature, state board for community college education, or baccalaureate granting institutions of higher education, and in conjunction with such legislative standing committees on higher education as may be in existence, study and make recommendations regarding legislation affecting postsecondary education.