AN ACT Relating to the Washington fund for excellence in higher education program; and adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature is dedicated to improving the quality of higher education in this state and reaffirms its commitment to an excellent system of higher education. As the state enters the twenty-first century and expands its role in the global economy, the quality, accessibility, and efficacy of our higher educational system is increasingly important. The legislature recognizes the need and the importance for each institution to explore ways to achieve excellence in order to enhance the higher education system. Through grants, the legislature intends to create a positive environment for innovation to improve the quality in higher education including:

(1) Providing an undergraduate education which will provide a balance among career preparation, social responsibility, and citizenship;

(2) Improving rates of participation and completion;

(3) Providing an education in a manner which meets the needs of an increasingly diverse student population; and

(4) Improving the assessment of student and institutional performance.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The Washington fund for excellence in higher education program is established. The program may be called the fund for excellence program. The higher education coordinating board shall administer the program. Through this program the board may award grants to state institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions to encourage improvements which will have a lasting benefit to the institution or to the entire system. Grants may be awarded to proposals submitted in response to requests for improving one or more of the following:

(1) The quality of the teaching and learning environment at the undergraduate level;

(2) Curriculum development;

(3) The number of students from targeted populations participating at and matriculating from institutions of higher education;

(4) Articulation between two-year and four-year institutions;

(5) The assessment of the effectiveness of institutions in achieving educational goals; and

(6) Cooperation between academic and business communities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The higher education coordinating board shall have the following powers and duties in administering the program:

(1) To adopt rules necessary to carry out the program;

(2) To establish one or more screening committees to assist in the evaluation of proposals for funding. The screening committee shall include individuals with significant experience in higher education and the capability of assessing whether proposals will have a positive impact on the quality of the education provided in the state;

(3) To establish each biennium specific guidelines for submitting grant proposals consistent with the overall goals of the program. During the 1987-'89 biennium the guidelines shall be consistent with the following goals: (a) Improving the quality of undergraduate education; (b) improving minority students' participation at and matriculation from institutions of higher education; (c) developing curriculum to enhance international awareness; and (d) creating programs to improve students' ability to succeed in a competitive international economy consistent with the changing needs of the business community;

(4) To publish evaluation criteria which shall include special recognition of proposals utilizing additional resources from private or institutional sources;

(5) To solicit grant proposals and provide information to the institutions of higher education about the program; and

(6) To establish reporting and monitoring requirements for the recipients of the grants.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The higher education coordinating board may solicit and receive such gifts, grants, and endowments from public or private sources as may be made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the purposes of the program and may expend the same or any income therefrom according to the terms of the gifts, grants, or endowments.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The fund for excellence is hereby established in the custody of the state treasurer. The higher education coordinating board shall deposit in the fund all moneys received under section 4 of this act. Moneys in the fund may be spent only for the purposes of sections 2 and 3 of this act. Disbursements from the fund shall be on the authorization of the higher education coordinating board. The fund is subject to the allotment procedure provided under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for disbursements.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Sections 1 through 5 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 28B RCW.