SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1430

BYHouse Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Jacobsen, Miller, Spanel, Belcher, Brough, G. Fisher, Peery, Cole, Van Luven, Appelwick, Locke, R. King, K. Wilson, Anderson, Ebersole, Grant, Hine, Holland, Kremen, Wineberry, Wang, Wood, Leonard, Prentice, Pruitt, Dellwo, Basich, Dorn, Brekke, Morris, Todd and Phillips)

Requiring gender equality in higher education.

House Committe on Higher Education

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 27, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Patterson, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Cantu, Smitherman, Stratton, von Reichbauer.

Senate Staff:Jean Six (786-7423)

                  March 27, 1989

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 31, 1989; April 3, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Moore, Niemi, Owen, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Warnke, Williams.

Senate Staff:Linda Brownell (786-7715)

                  April 4, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, APRIL 3, 1989

BACKGROUND:

During 1988, a House subcommittee of the Higher Education and Education Committees studied the opportunities available to male and female athletes in high school and college.  The committee found that, during the 1987-88 academic year, at state baccalaureate universities, female participants in intercollegiate athletic programs comprised 29 to 38 percent of the total.  These women athletes comprised between 29 to 31 percent of the athletes receiving financial aid, and their programs received between 26 to 36 percent of the available funding.

Washington State University was required by the courts to provide opportunities to participate in intercollegiate athletics based on the percentage of male and female enrolled in undergraduate programs at the university.

The subcommittee recommended legislation that would encourage equitable opportunities for male and female students.  One of the recommended bills would require equal treatment of male and female students in all aspects of college life.  Areas covered in the legislation would include access to academic programs, intercollegiate athletics, counseling and advising, financial aid, student employment, and recreational activities.

SUMMARY:

In consultation with institutions of higher education, the Higher Education Coordinating Board is directed to adopt rules and guidelines to eliminate gender discrimination, including sexual harassment, at institutions of higher education.  The areas to be covered include: access to academic programs, student employment, counseling and guidance programs, financial aid, recreational activities, and intercollegiate athletics.  Institutions are directed to provide services and access in each of these areas without regard to gender.

With respect to intercollegiate athletics, institutions that provide the following must do so with no disparities based on gender:

      (1)Support services, such as equipment and supplies, opportunities for competition, conditioning programs, and scholarships.

      (2)Opportunities to participate.  Institutions shall provide equitable opportunities to male and female students.

      (3)Male and female coaches and administrators.  Institutions must attempt to provide participants with some coaches and administrators of each gender to act as role models.

By September 30, 1990, each institution must complete a self-study on compliance with the requirements.  By November 30, 1990, each institution must submit a plan for compliance to the Higher Education Coordinating Board.  If the institution finds that participation in activities such as intercollegiate athletics is not proportionate to undergraduate enrollment percentages for male and female students, the plan should outline efforts to identify barriers to equal participation.  The plan should also encourage gender equity in all aspects of college or university life.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board is directed to monitor institutional compliance with these requirements.  The board may delegate to the State Board for Community College Education the responsibility for monitoring community college compliance.  The board is directed to report biennially to the Governor and the Legislature on institutional compliance efforts.  The reports must include recommendations on measures to assist the institutions with their efforts.

A violation of the requirements constitute an unfair practice under the Washington law against discrimination.  All rights and remedies available under that law apply.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: HIGHER EDUCATION:  FOR:  Representatives Ken Jacobsen and Louise Miller, original sponsors; Stephanie Adams, WSU students

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  No one