SENATE BILL REPORT

E2SSB 5225

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Saling, Stratton, Bauer, Patterson, Lee and West)

Creating the Spokane intercollegiate research and technology institute.

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 15, 1989; February 20, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5225 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill 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:Scott Huntley (786-7421)

                  February 22, 1989

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 1, 1989; March 6, 1989

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5225 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Saling, Smith.

Senate Staff:Linda Brownell (786-7715)

                  March 28, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 27, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1988 the Legislature appropriated $800,000 to be used by Washington State University toward the purchase of a site to house an intercollegiate institute for research and technology.  A 7.5 acre tract in downtown Spokane was purchased. 

The public and private institutions serving Spokane have agreed to form, and participate in, the intercollegiate institute.  They have developed a local, private fund raising plan to assist in supporting the institute. 

SUMMARY:

The Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute is created.  It is to be operated and administered as a multi- institutional education and research center, housing appropriate programs offered in Spokane by Washington State University, Eastern Washington University and the community colleges of Spokane.  Gonzaga University and Whitworth College may participate as full partners in any academic and research activities of the institute. Washington State University will act as fiscal and administrative agent for the institute.

The institute will house education and research programs designed to meet the needs of the greater Spokane area, with particular emphasis upon engineering, computer science, technical research, and business resource activities.

The coordination of programs and activities at the institute is subject to the authority of the Spokane Joint Center for Higher Education.

This bill is null and void unless specifically referenced in the Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: HIGHER EDUCATION:  FOR: Dave Clack, Momentum '89; Dr. Samuel H. Smith, President, Washington State University; Dr. Alex Shilt, President, Eastern Washington University; Dale Soden, Whitworth College; Don Blosslor, Spokane Community Colleges; Bill Gray, Washington State University; Beverly Lingle, Washington State University; William Holmes, Spokane Community Colleges; Jack Hebner, City of Spokane

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Beverly Lingle, Washington State University (pro); Thomas Parker, Friends of Higher Education