Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Higher Education Committee |
HB 1586
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 Description: Regarding the provision of doctorate programs at the research university branch campuses in Washington.
Sponsors: Representatives Seaquist, Haler, Jacks, Dammeier, Moscoso, Carlyle, Zeiger, Moeller, Probst, Kenney, Stanford, Kelley, Dahlquist and Jinkins; by request of Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/7/11
Staff: Madeleine Thompson (786-7304).
Background:
A joint report conducted by the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, compares total supply of workers at three levels of education to the demand for workers educated at those levels. The 2009 report found to prepare Washington residents to meet employer demand and be competitive in the labor market by 2016, there was a gap of over 5,000 degrees at each level: sub-baccalaureate, baccalaureate and graduate.
Beginning in early 2009, the HECB embarked on a project to comprehensively examine the current system of higher education and propose a strategic framework that would guide future investments. The HECB found that institutions' planned growth for graduate degrees is insufficient to meet Washington's higher education goals in all but two regions – the Southwest region and the Central and Southeast region. Completed in December 2009, the System Design Plan offers a framework for making decisions about how to reach the goal of increasing educational attainment in Washington.
Washington State University (WSU) and the University of Washington (UW) are the only two public institutions of higher education authorized to award research doctorate degrees in Washington. Eastern Washington University is authorized to award an applied doctorate in physical therapy. UW-Bothell, UW-Tacoma, WSU-Vancouver, and WSU Tri-Cities are branch campuses of the two research universities authorized to award baccalaureate and masters level degrees.
The HECB has a comprehensive and ongoing assessment process to determine the need for additional degree programs and locations for degree programs. If the HECB determines that there is a need for a change in level of degree, an examination of the viability of the change is conducted. The HECB's recommendation on whether to proceed is then presented to the Governor and the Legislature.
Summary of Bill:
Subject to HECB approval, UW and WSU are authorized to develop doctoral degree programs at their branch campuses. The mission of branch campuses is expanded to include the full range of graduate degrees. The HECB will use their assessment process to determine whether the proposed doctoral level programs are needed and viable. In place of monitoring and evaluating the addition of lower division institutions the HECB must monitor and evaluate the growth of branch campuses and make recommendations to the Legislature as needed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on 2/3/2011.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.