SENATE BILL REPORT

SCR 8429

BYSenators Saling, Smitherman, Patterson, Hansen, McMullen, Anderson and von Reichbauer

Approving the master plan for higher education and establishing a study group.

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8429 be substituted therefor, and the substitute concurrent resolution do pass.

      Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Patterson, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Hansen, McMullen, Smitherman, von Reichbauer.

Senate Staff:Jean Six (786-7423)

                  February 2, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 1, 1988

BACKGROUND:

According to statute (RCW 28B.80.320), the purpose of the Higher Education Coordinating Board is to "provide planning, coordination, monitoring, and policy analysis for higher education in the state of Washington ×××."  The 1985 Legislature created the Board and directed it to develop and adopt a comprehensive master plan for the future of the state's higher education system and to submit the initial plan to the governor and the Legislature by December 1, 1987.  The plan is to be updated biennially and following public hearings the Legislature shall, by concurrent resolution, approve the plan or recommend changes to it and the biennial updates.  Unless legislation is enacted to alter the plan, it becomes state higher education policy.

BUILDING A SYSTEM ××× to be among the best is the title of the Washington State Master Plan for Higher Education.  The Board chose to focus this initial plan on the four policy choices it determined to be the foundation of the state's plan for higher education.  The cornerstones are increased access to urban areas, a new basis of funding, performance evaluation of institutions, and strengthened admissions standards for the baccalaureate institutions.  The plan challenges the state to reinvest in its future, to plan that investment wisely and to monitor its return while striving to be among the five best higher education systems in the nation by 1995.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature commends the Higher Education Coordinating Board for its high quality work, dedication, and commitment to the state of Washington in producing a master plan for higher education.

The Legislature approves the following goals of the master plan:  (1) That Washington's system of higher education be among the best in the nation; (2) that the system provide cultural enrichment, develop social leadership, and foster economic development; (3) that the system remove discriminatory barriers; (4) that the system provide equitable access to postsecondary programs of study, with particular attention to serving place-bound adults in urban areas; (5) that the system develop performance evaluation methods for assessing how well students are being educated, and for establishing a system of accountability; and (6) that the system develop an admissions policy that strengthens education while preserving multiple points of access.

The Legislature endorses the concept of a stable, reliable, and predictable approach to funding higher education but defers implementation of any new funding mechanism until the Legislature completes a study of higher education funding policies and related issues.  Related issues include, but are not limited to, a state enrollment policy, appropriate quality comparison groups, state funding priorities and goals, and a process for evaluating educational service needs and establishing off-campus programs in underserved areas.

A special joint study group is established to review the components of the proposed SAFE funding approach, and to recommend a methodology for funding higher education and addressing related matters.  The study group shall have 11 members, four members each selected by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one member from the Office of Financial Management, and two members appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a member of the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The study committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the start of the regular legislative session in 1989.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Add to the goals:  (1) an opportunity for the pursuit of knowledge and affordable access.  The substitute also clarifies study committee selection process.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Appointments by Legislature Required:     Four members each selected by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Senate Committee - Testified: David Habura, SBCCE; Gorman Wang, Student, University of Washington; Shirley Ort, HECB; Bob Waldo, COP; Randy Lewis, Tacoma/Pierce County Chamber of Commerce; Liz Heath, Economic Development Board of Pierce County