BILL REQ. #:  H-2041.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/25/11.   

     AN ACT Relating to expanding opportunities in higher education in north Puget Sound; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that access to baccalaureate and graduate degree programs continues to be limited for residents of north Snohomish, Island, and Skagit counties. Studies conducted by the state board for community and technical colleges, the higher education coordinating board, and the council of presidents confirm that enrollment in higher education compared to demand in this geographic region lags behind enrollment in other parts of the state, particularly for upper division courses leading to advanced degrees.
     (2) The legislature also finds that access to high employer demand programs of study is imperative for the state's global competitiveness and economic prosperity, particularly those degrees in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields that align with the workforce skill demands of the regional economy, that support the aerospace industry, and provide skilled undergraduate and graduate degree engineers required by the largest employers in the aerospace industry cluster.
     (3) The legislature finds that meeting the long-range goal of greatly expanded access for the population of the region to the widest array of baccalaureate and graduate programs can best be accomplished by assigning responsibility to a research university with multiple experiences in similar settings.
     (4) Washington State University shall create a strategic plan for establishing a University Center partner in Everett. The strategic plan shall include a multibiennium budget that addresses both operating and capital expenses required to effectively implement the strategic plan. The strategic plan shall be developed with the collaboration of the University Center at Everett Community College and all the institutions of higher education that provide baccalaureate degrees at the University Center, and community leaders. This plan shall be submitted to the legislature by December 1, 2012. If approved by the legislature and governor, Washington State University shall begin implementation of the strategic plan by July 1, 2014. The plan shall address the following:
     (a) Meeting projected student enrollment demands of north Snohomish, Island, and Skagit counties for baccalaureate, graduate, and certificate programs;
     (b) Meeting employers' needs for skilled workers by expanding high employer demand programs of study, with an initial emphasis by Washington State University on undergraduate and graduate engineering degree programs in a variety of engineering disciplines such as civil, mechanical, aeronautical, and aerospace manufacturing;
     (c) Building on degree programs already offered at the University Center at Everett Community College; and
     (d) Collaborating with the University Center at Everett Community College in relation to degree offerings; lower and upper division coordination to maximize student opportunities and resources; classroom space and equipment; and ongoing collaboration to meet the higher education needs of the region.
     (5)(a) Washington State University shall convene a coordinating and planning council to oversee the development of the strategic plan in subsection (4) of this section.
     (b) The following individuals comprise the coordinating and planning council:
     (i) The president of Washington State University, or the president's designee;
     (ii) The provost of Washington State University, or the provost's designee;
     (iii) The president of Everett Community College;
     (iv) The director of the University Center at Everett Community College;
     (v) Two representatives of other institutions of higher education that offer baccalaureate or graduate degree programs at the University Center at Everett Community College;
     (vi) A community leader appointed by the president of Everett Community College;
     (vii) A community leader appointed by the president of Washington State University; and
     (viii) A community leader appointed by the mayor of Everett.
     (c) The coordinating and planning council may alter its own composition by agreement of all the members.
     (6) The coordinating and planning council in subsection (5) of this section shall consult with the higher education coordinating board to ensure the strategic plan in subsection (4) of this section is in alignment with the system design plan as required in RCW 28B.76.020 and 28B.76.230.
     (7) Washington State University shall establish at least one high employer demand baccalaureate degree program at the University Center at Everett Community College by December 1, 2012.