SB 6268-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Provides that RCW 49.60.400 does not prohibit a public college, university, or community college from considering race, color, ethnicity, or national origin in its admission or transfer policies for the purpose of promoting diversity at the campus if the policy meets the following minimum requirements: (1) No admission slots may be set aside on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, or national origin nor shall any person be given separate consideration based solely on race, color, ethnicity, or national origin;

(2) All qualified applicants shall be given individual consideration in which all qualities and experiences that may be valuable contributions to student body diversity are considered;

(3) Race, color, ethnicity, or national origin shall not be given a predetermined numerical value or weight in the admissions process;

(4) The policy shall establish criteria for evaluating whether the consideration of race, color, ethnicity, or national origin is still necessary to promote diversity and shall include provisions for periodic reviews; and

(5) There must be a process established for periodically exploring workable race-neutral alternatives to considering race, color, ethnicity, or national origin to achieve the diversity the college or university is seeking, without compromising academic quality.