SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 6129

As Passed Senate, February 11, 2004

Title: An act relating to membership on the higher education coordinating board.

Brief Description: Establishing an advisory council to the higher education coordinating board.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Carlson, Horn and Schmidt).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Higher Education: 1/12/04, 1/22/04 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 2/11/04, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6129 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Carlson, Chair; Schmidt, Vice Chair; Kohl-Welles, Pflug, B. Sheldon and Shin.

Staff: Jean Six (786-7423)

Background: The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) was created in 1985 to provide planning, coordinating, monitoring and policy analysis for higher education in Washington in cooperation and consultation with the institutions' autonomous governing boards and with all other segments of postsecondary education. In creating the HECB, the Legislature intended that the board represent the broad public interest above the interests of individual colleges and universities. In addition, this board administers all of the state's student financial aid programs.

The HECB is a 10-member board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate – one of the members is a student. The student member serves a one-year term. The other members serve four-year terms. Following the term of the current chair, who serves at the pleasure of the Governor, subsequent chairs will be chosen by and from the membership.

Summary of Bill: The Higher Education Coordinating Board establishes an advisory council consisting of the Superintendent of Public Instruction whose term runs concurrent with the state office; and holding two-year terms are one member representing the two-year system appointed by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC); one member representing the research universities appointed by the President of the University of Washington and the President of Washington State University; one member representing the comprehensive universities selected through a process developed by the Council of Presidents; one four-year faculty member appointed by a Council of Faculty Representatives process; one two-year faculty member appointed by the SBCTC; one member representing the independent colleges appointed by the Independent Colleges of Washington; and one member representing the proprietary schools appointed by the Federation of Private Career Schools and Colleges. The HECB meets with the advisory council at least quarterly and seeks advice from the council.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Education reform requires that SPI be more involved in the decisions of the HECB. And, because relevant sectors of higher education believe they are not consulted by the HECB, they should be members of the board. The intent of the legislation is appreciated.

Testimony Against: With concerns: It would be difficult to legislate behavior. Constituency boards become cumbersome and you must be careful to include as many constituencies as will be affected such as WTECB and WFT. The nature of the board is changed from neutrality to a constituency-based approach. There was more than one comment that the new Executive Director of the HECB must be given a chance. Better communication might result from a high level advisory group to the board.

Testified: Senator Don Carlson, prime sponsor (pro); WITH CONCERNS: Larry Davis, SBE; Sandy Wall, SBCTC; Terry Teale, COP; Kyra Kester, OSPI; Ann Anderson, CWU; Ruta Fanning, HECB; Bryan Wilson, WTECB