Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Higher Education Committee

HB 1568

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Allows every community and technical college district Board of Trustees to add a sixth position to the Board, such position to be filled by a student.
Requires expansion of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges from nine to 10 members, one of whom must be a student.

Background:

Community and Technical College Districts.

Washington is divided into 30 community and technical college districts. Each district has a Board of Trustees (Board) composed of five trustees appointed by the Governor. In making appointments to the Boards, the Governor must give consideration to geographical diversity and representation by labor, business, women, and racial and ethnic minorities. The Boards for districts containing a technical college must include at least one member from business and one member from labor. There is no requirement that the Board include a student member. Trustees serve five-year terms.

Districts in Seattle, Spokane, and Pierce counties include more than one community college. The Seattle Community College district includes North Seattle Community College, Seattle Central Community College, and South Seattle Community College. The Community Colleges of Spokane district includes Spokane Falls Community College and Spokane Community College.

State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) consists of nine members appointed by the Governor. At least two members must reside east of the Cascade Mountains. The Governor must attempt to provide geographic balance and give consideration to representation by labor, business, women, and racial and ethnic minorities. There is no requirement that the SBCTC include a student member. Members on the SBCTC serve four-year terms.

Four-Year Institutions.

The Boards of Regents and Boards of Trustees governing the six four-year public institutions of higher education each include a student member, as does the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Summary of Bill:

Boards for each of Washington's community and technical college districts may, by majority vote, choose to expand the Board for that district from five to six in order to seat a student member. In the event that a district's Board votes to authorize this student position, the Governor selects the student member from a list of three to five candidates submitted by the associated student government, or its equivalent, of that district.

The student selected must be a student in good academic standing in that district at the time of appointment and throughout the one year term. The student trustee should be enrolled full-time or part-time while in office, except during summer term. Should the student not be enrolled, or fail to maintain good standing, the appointment terminates and a new appointment must be made. The student member must excuse himself or herself from participation or voting on matters relating to the hiring, discipline, or tenure of faculty members and personnel.

The SBCTC is expanded from nine to 10 members, one of whom must be a student. The student member may not be counted toward the requirement that at least two members reside east of the Cascade Mountains. The term of office for the student member is one year, beginning July 1 and ending June 30, or until the student member's successor is appointed and qualified, whichever is later.