SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5225

BYSenators 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 7, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, MARCH 6, 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 partners in any 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.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

It is clarified that Gonzaga University and Whitworth College may participate in the academic and research activities of the institute.

The appropriation to Washington State University for the biennium ending June 30, 1991 is increased from $203,340 to $689,051.  $203,340 is to be used to carry out administrative duties for the institute and the remainder for academic and research programs at the institute.

$10,261,000 is appropriated to Washington State University from the state building construction account for the design and construction of the Spokane Technical Institute facility.  It is the intent of the Legislature that the source of funding for this item be those funds set aside with the Office of Financial Management in the Governor's capital budget for branch campus and off-campus construction programs.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:

Gonzaga University and Whitworth College may participate as full partners in the academic and research activities of the institute.

Appropriation:    $689,051 to Washington State University for the biennium ending June 30, 1991.  $436,800 to Eastern Washington University for the biennium ending June 30, 1991. $25,000 to the State Board for Community College Education for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, to provide for the participation of the community colleges of Spokane in the institute.

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