FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6306

PARTIAL VETO

                              C 268 L 90

BYSenate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Saling, McDonald, Stratton, Bailey, McCaslin, Benitz, Thorsness, Barr and Amondson)

Revising provisions for tenure at community colleges.

Senate Committee on Higher Education

House Committe on Higher Education

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The state community college tenure statute provides a system for granting tenure to faculty members.  This system allows for the granting of tenure to a faculty member following the successful completion of a three-year probationary period.  Recently, many efforts have been made by the Legislature, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the colleges to improve the quality of instruction received by students at our state higher education institutions.  In conjunction with these efforts, it is argued that the process for the award of faculty tenure at community colleges should be strengthened to allow for more flexibility and for a more thorough review of the performance of faculty appointees.

SUMMARY:

The length of time which a community college faculty member may be reviewed by his or her peers for the granting of tenure is changed from three consecutive years to nine college consecutive quarters, excluding summer quarter and approved leaves of absence.  After recommendation of the tenure review committee and with the consent of the faculty member and the appointing authority, this period of time may be extended up to three additional college quarters.

Nothing in this act is to be construed to alter any existing collective bargaining unit or the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement.

The State Board for Community College Education is directed to study and report to the 1991 Legislature on salaries for full and part-time faculty and administrators at community colleges.  The study will be done in consultation with appropriate faculty organizations, labor representatives, and local community college governing boards and administrations.

The changes in tenure provisions apply only to faculty appointments made by community colleges after June 30, 1990.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   26   22

     House 96  0 (House amended)

     Senate          (Senate refused to concur)

Free Conference Committee

     House 97  0

     Senate   27   17

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990

Partial Veto Summary:  The entire bill, with the exception of the community college salary study, is vetoed.  (See VETO MESSAGE)