BILL REQ. #:  S-0687.2 

Read first time 01/22/2003.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to higher education in high-demand fields and programs; and adding a new section to chapter 28B.80 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28B.80 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A program to contract for undergraduate placements in high-demand fields and programs, as evidenced by current limited access, is created. The higher education coordinating board shall administer the program, subject to appropriation.
     (2) The board may accept applications for an enrollment contract from an in-state or border-state, private nonprofit institution but only where such entities have agreed to partner with a public, Washington state college or university to deliver the educational program in high demand. Where a successful bid comes from such partnerships, in all cases the Washington state college or university must be the fiscal agent, grant-recipient-of-record, and an active partner in the instruction of participating Washington students.
     (3) With respect to the review and selection among competing proposals for these new enrollments, the board shall consider the present and near-term outlook for in-state employment of graduating students for whom it will contract to expand access opportunities. The board or its designees shall give greater weight to proposals from applicants that (a) create opportunities for underrepresented students in the field of study, (b) promote economic growth in depressed regions of the state, (c) address health and education professional shortages, or (d) spread the benefit of the state's high-technology economy geographically. The greatest weight among otherwise equal proposals shall be given to proposals that include an articulation agreement to ease the transfer of applicable, lower division credit earned by participating Washington students.
     (4) Participating institutions shall cooperate with the board to collect the data necessary to report to the governor and the legislature on the impact of the program in this section, particularly the degree of improved access to high-demand fields and programs for students and successful job placements for graduates. The board shall profile enrollment contracts let to date and review impacts as part of the reports. Reports shall be made by December 1st of even-numbered years.