SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6315

As Passed Senate, February 11, 2004

Title: An act relating to institutions of higher education.

Brief Description: Changing provisions relating to institutions of higher education.

Sponsors: Senators Kohl-Welles, Carlson, Shin, Schmidt and Pflug.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Higher Education: 2/3/04 [DP].

Passed Senate: 2/11/04, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

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

Staff: Jean Six (786-7423)

Background: Branch campuses of the University of Washington and Washington State University were authorized by the Legislature in 1989 to provide upper- division and graduate level programs to under-served areas of the state. In statute these institutions are referred to as branch campuses and they are now serving students in Tacoma, Bothell, Spokane, Vancouver and the Tri-cities.

Summary of Bill: The term branch campus is no longer used in statute and each of the five campuses is named individually: University of Washington Tacoma; University of Washington Bothell; Washington State University Vancouver; Washington State University Spokane; and Washington State University Tri-Cities. References to the joint center are deleted and language clarifying responsibilities of the regional universities and TESC is inserted.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: It is time to conform statute to common practice. Each campus is evolving uniquely to meet community needs. No one has ever liked the term "branch," especially in the university culture ... the campuses are not appendages.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Senator Kohl-Welles, prime sponsor; Jack Nelson, UW Tacoma; Kathleen Drew, Bothell; Larry Ganders, WSU.