SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 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.

Sponsors: House Committee on Education Appropriations & Oversight (originally sponsored by Representatives Sells, Anderson, Probst, Liias, Upthegrove, Hinkle, Carlyle, Zeiger, Ormsby, Haler, Buys, Hasegawa, Stanford, Maxwell, Springer, Miloscia, Sullivan, Haigh, Hunt, Rolfes, Jacks, Dahlquist, Crouse, Kenney and Moscoso).

Background: The University of Washington, Washington State University, the regional universities, and The Evergreen State College all have student members on their boards of regents or boards of trustees. There are no student members on the boards for any of the community college districts. Boards at community and technical colleges have five trustees. Districts containing technical colleges must include at least one member from business and another from labor.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board consists of ten members, one of which is a student. The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) consists of nine members appointed by the Governor. There is no requirement that the SBCTC include a student member.

Summary of Bill: Within existing resources, by a majority vote, the boards of trustees in any college district may establish a sixth trustee position to be filled by a full-time or part-time student in good academic standing throughout the student's term. The student trustee is selected, by the Governor, from a list of three-to-five candidates submitted by the student government of that college district and serves a one-year term or until the student member's successor is appointed and qualified, whichever is later. The student trustee appointment terminates if the student fails to be enrolled at the college or forfeits his or her academic standing. A new member must be appointed in the same manner as the original appointment. The student must excuse himself or herself from participation or voting on matters relating to the hiring, discipline, or tenure of faculty members and personnel.

Within existing resources, the SBCTC is expanded from nine to ten members, one of which must be a student. The student member may not count toward the requirement that at least two members reside east of the Cascade Mountains. The student serves a term of one year, or until the student member's successor is appointed and qualified, whichever is later.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill is very similar to SSB 5217. Students are currently on boards for the four-year universities. This bill creates an option, not a requirement, for community and technical (CTC) students to be on boards. Students are on the campus and are able to bring a student perspective. CTC students are more than qualified to voice their opinion about what is going on around campus. We urge that the SBCTC language be kept. There is very little difference between a student on the SBCTC and on the college boards.