SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6553

BYSenators Saling, Stratton and Hansen

Revising provisions for the operation of branch campuses.

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 24, 1990

Senate Staff:Scott Huntley (786-7421)

AS OF JANUARY 19, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In 1989 the legislation was enacted which directed the establishment of five branch campuses to provide higher education services to urban areas presently under-served by the state's higher education system.  The legislation closely followed recommendations made by the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and endorsed the board's assignment of institutional responsibility to serve particular urban areas.

Two of the branch campuses created, in Tacoma and Bothell-Woodinville, are to be branches of the University of Washington.  Three of the branch campuses, in the Tri-Cities, southwest Washington and Spokane, are to be branches of Washington State University.  These two research universities are directed to provide upper-division and graduate higher education programs to the citizens of these designated areas through the branch campuses.

It has been argued that the regional universities and state college are able to provide high quality upper-division programs and baccalaureate degrees in these areas at a lower cost than the level the research universities are recommending.  The regional universities and state college have experience in offering baccalaureate degrees at off-campus locations which are the same, in designation and quality, as those provided at their main campuses.  It is maintained that such experience and ability will ensure the integrity of the baccalaureate degrees offered at the branch campuses to the citizens of this state who utilize those campuses for their educational and professional advancement.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature directs the Higher Education Coordinating Board to change the assignment of responsibility to serve urban areas through branch campuses.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board is directed to designate a regional university or state college to provide the upper-division programs and baccalaureate degrees offered at each of the branch campuses created by the Legislature in RCW 28B.45.020 through 28B.45.050 (Tacoma, Bothell-Woodinville, Tri-Cities, southwest Washington and Spokane).

The regional universities or state colleges so designated by the Higher Education Coordinating Board shall also be responsible for the administration of any branch campus for which they are directed to provide upper-division programs.

The University of Washington and Washington State University are directed to provide graduate level programs and degrees for those branch campuses which they are presently designated to serve.

All degrees offered at a branch campus, whether baccalaureate or graduate, are to be granted with the same designations as those granted to students on the main campus of the institution offering the degree.  All such degrees offered at a branch campus are to be the same as those granted at the main campus of the offering institution, with no separate designation of any kind denoting that the degree is granted at, or by, a branch campus.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    requested January 15, 1990