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: 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 State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) consists of nine members appointed by the Governor. There is no requirement that 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 the student's 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, 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 will give students a voice at community and technical colleges. We should not favor four-year college students over community and technical college students. This will improve college life. Students' supposed maturity, ability, age, and intelligence should not be a determinate for their ability to participate. Students' voices are important. We need to involve students. This allows students to be in charge of their education. This will give the boards a student perspective and build civic participation. This has been successful at the four-year colleges. This would be an education experience for students. The bill allows schools flexibility. The Board for Bellevue College supports this. Students have a unique perspective and are original. We need this to assess the pulse of student bodies.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Jake Atwell-Scrivner, David Lainez, Abshir Mahamed, Keturah Anderson, Monica Mendoza, Mike Bogatoy, WA Student Assn.; Megan Dhan, Brandon Anderson, Victoria Cook, Bellevue College; Eric Lint, Associated Students of UW Tacoma; Andrew Lewis, Associated Students of UW; Megan Rowland, SPSCC Student Government; Bob Guenther, IBEW77.