BILL REQ. #:  S-5002.1 

Read first time 02/04/08.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to honorary doctoral degrees; and amending RCW 28B.35.205.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 28B.35.205 and 1991 c 58 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to all other powers and duties given to them by law, Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, and Western Washington University are hereby authorized to grant any degree through the master's degree to any student who has completed a program of study and/or research in those areas which are determined by the faculty and board of trustees of the college to be appropriate for the granting of such degree: PROVIDED, That before any degree is authorized under this section it shall be subject to the review and approval of the higher education coordinating board.
     The board of trustees, upon recommendation of the faculty, may also confer honorary bachelor's or master's degrees upon persons other than graduates of the institution, in recognition of their learning or devotion to education, literature, art, or science. Western Washington University may confer honorary doctoral degrees upon persons other than graduates of the institution, in recognition of their learning, devotion to education, literature, art, or science. No degree may be conferred in consideration of the payment of money or the donation of any kind of property.