SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5975

BYSenators Saling, Bauer, McDonald, Benitz, Bluechel, Nelson, Smitherman, Lee, Cantu, Johnson, Bender, Sellar, Stratton, Rasmussen, Hansen and Bailey

Providing for higher education access.

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 23, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5975 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 23, 1989

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

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

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5975 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Johnson, Lee, Saling, Talmadge, Warnke, Williams.

Senate Staff:Linda Brownell (786-7715)

                  March 6, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, MARCH 6, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Washington state master plan for higher education recommends improving access to the state's higher education system.  The plan, in particular, recommends increased access for placebound citizens in urban locations which have been traditionally underserved by the higher education system.

The University of Washington was designated to provide increased higher education services to the central Puget Sound area (Bothell-Woodinville and Tacoma).

Washington State University was designated as the institution to provide increased higher education services in the southwest Washington area and the Tri-cities area, and increased graduate level services in the Spokane area.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board has designated Central Washington University to provide increased higher education services in the Yakima area.

SUMMARY:

The University of Washington is directed to provide upper- division courses for placebound students in the Tacoma and Bothell-Woodinville areas beginning in the 1989-90 fiscal year.  Funding is provided for 50 FTE enrollments in 1989-90 and an additional 150 FTE enrollments in 1990-91 in both Tacoma and Bothell-Woodinville.  Funding is also provided for a state subsidy for 50 FTE evening enrollments on-campus in 1989-90 and an additional 150 FTE evening enrollments in 1990-91.  If the University is unable to establish upper-division courses in Tacoma and Bothell-Woodinville beginning in 1989-90, the provided funds shall be transferred to the Higher Education Coordinating Board.  These funds may be distributed to any other state institution which can establish upper-division courses in these areas during the 1989-90 fiscal year.

Washington State University is to provide increased enrollments in upper-division courses for placebound students in the southwest Washington area and in the Tri-cities area.  Washington State University is directed to provide increased enrollments in graduate level programs for placebound students in Spokane.  Funding is provided for:  50 FTE enrollments in 1989-90 and an additional 45 FTE enrollments in 1990-91 in the southwest Washington area; 20 FTE enrollments in 1989-90 and an additional 20 FTE enrollments in the Tri-cities area in 1990-91; 20 FTE graduate level enrollments in 1989-90 and an additional 10 FTE graduate level enrollments in 1990-91 in Spokane.

Central Washington University is directed to provide increased enrollments in upper-division courses for placebound students in Yakima.  Funding is provided for:  25 FTE enrollments in 1989-90 and an additional 20 FTE enrollments in 1990-91 in Yakima; 100 FTE enrollments on-campus at Central Washington University beginning in 1989-90.

Funding is provided for:  20 FTE enrollments at Eastern Washington University beginning in 1989-90; 200 FTE enrollments on-campus at Western Washington University in 1989-90 and an additional 150 FTE enrollments in 1990-91; 100 FTE on-campus enrollments at The Evergreen State College beginning in 1989-90.

Funding is provided for 250 FTE enrollments in the community college system in 1989-90 and an additional 250 FTE enrollments in 1990-91.  The State Board for Community College Education is to distribute these additional enrollments to meet the needs of high demand areas within the system.  Funding is also provided to enhance instructional support within the system.

Planning funds are provided to the Higher Education Coordinating Board, to distribute to institutions of higher education establishing or expanding course offerings in underserved locations of this state.

Tuition fees rates for part-time students shall be charged per credit hour at the level of one-tenth of the rates established for full-time students.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Provisions relating to the community college system are altered as follows:

Funding is provided for 345 FTE enrollments in the community college system in 1989-90, and an additional 345 FTE enrollments in 1990-91.

The State Board for Community College Education is directed to distribute 230 FTE per year of these additional enrollments to meet the needs of the four high demand areas within the system identified in the community college program and enrollment plan.

The appropriation to the State Board for Community College Education is increased from $5,376,041 to $6,396,811.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:

The University of Washington is directed to provide baccalaureate and masters programs, rather than courses leading to a baccalaureate degree, for placebound students in underserved locations in the central Puget Sound.  The bill is contingent on funding in the budget.

Appropriation:    $3,928,790 to the University of Washington for the biennium ending June 30, 1991.  $2,083,910 to Washington State University for the biennium ending June 30, 1991.  $969,272 to Central Washington University for the biennium ending June 30, 1991.  $117,520 to Eastern Washington University for the biennium ending June 30, 1991.  $1,984,350 to Western Washington University for the biennium ending June 30, 1991.  $682,375 to The Evergreen State College for the biennium ending June 30, 1991.  $6,396,811 to the State Board for Community College Education for the biennium ending June 30, 1991.  $1,000,000 to the Higher Education Coordinating Board for the biennium ending June 30, 1991.

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:July 1, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: HIGHER EDUCATION:  Ann Daley, Higher Education Coordinating Board (for); Sam Smith, President, Washington State University (for); William Gerberding, President, University of Washington; Beverly Lingle, Washington State University (for); Donna Kerr, University of Washington; Earl Hale, State Board for Community College Education (for); Steve Van Ausdle, President, Walla Walla Community College (for); Richard White, Acting President, Bellevue Community College (for); Dick Barrett, Eastern Washington University (for); Judy McNickle, Western Washington University (for); Jennifer Jaech, The Evergreen State College (for); Barbara Bingham, South Puget Sound Higher Education Council (for); Jay Reifel, citizen (for)

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Ann Daley, Higher Education Coordinating Board (pro); Beverly Lingle, Washington State University (pro); Bob Edie and Donna Kerr, University of Washington (pro)