HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2591

BYRepresentatives Wood, Jacobsen, McLean, Miller, Fraser, Bowman, Cooper, Beck, Zellinsky, Ferguson, Kremen, Scott, Cole, H. Myers, Raiter, Cantwell, P. King, Crane, Winsley, Van Luven and Hankins

Authorizing honorary degrees.

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (13)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Van Luven, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bennett, Doty, Fraser, Heavey, Jesernig, Miller, Prince, Rector and Wood.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION JANUARY 24, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The University of Washington and Washington State University are permitted, by law, to grant honorary degrees.  Upon recommendation of the faculty, the honorary degrees may be given to persons who did not graduate from the universities.  The honorary degrees are conferred in recognition of a person's learning or devotion to literature, art or science.  Honorary degrees cannot be granted for money or for donation of any kind of property.

The regional universities and college are permitted to grant degrees to students who have completed a program of study or research in an appropriate area, as determined by the governing board and the faculty.

The community colleges may grant a suitable diploma, nonbaccalaureate degree or certificate, to students upon graduation or completion of a course of study.

The regional universities and college, and the community colleges, are not authorized by law to grant honorary degrees.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL: Upon recommendation of the faculty, the governing boards of the regional institutions of higher education, and the governing boards of the community colleges, may grant honorary degrees.  The honorary degrees may be granted to people who did not graduate from the institution in recognition of their learning or devotion to education, literature, art, or science.  No degree may be given for money or for the donation of any kind of property.

The community colleges are authorized to grant an honorary associate of arts degree.  The regional institutions may confer an honorary bachelor's or master's degree.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL: The regional institutions of higher education are permitted to grant honorary bachelor's or master's degrees. The type of honorary degree authorized for the community colleges is specified as an associate of arts degree.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Carol Berg- Christianson, Edmonds Community College.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Original bill)  A few members of local communities provide countless hours of service to local community colleges.  A special and appropriate way to honor them would be to grant them an honorary associate of arts degree.  This method of recognition would be a way of showing a college's appreciation of the benefit they have provided to the college and the community it serves.

(Substitute bill): The regional universities and college have would also like to use honorary degrees to recognize outstanding service.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.