According to data provided by the state universities, regional universities, and state college, the student to tenure-track faculty ratio ranged from a high of 48 students per tenure or tenure-track faculty member to a low of 16 students per tenure-or tenure track faculty member.

The ratios are as follows:

• 20 to 1 at the University of Washington;
• 34 to 1 at Washington State University;
• 48 to 1 at Central Washington University;
• 42 to 1 at Eastern Washington University;
• 16 to 1 at the Evergreen State College; and
• 27 to 1 at Western Washington University.

Subject to amounts appropriated specifically for this purpose, beginning in the 2022-23 academic year, the Legislature intends to add 200 faculty positions distributed across the state universities, regional universities, and state college.  The positions are divided among the institutions with the most positions allocated to the institutions with the highest student to faculty ratio.  The allocations are as follows:

• 30 at the University of Washington;
• 30 at Washington State University;
• 50 at Central Washington University;
• 50 at Eastern Washington University;
• 20 at Western Washington University; and
• 20 at The Evergreen State College.

The state universities, regional universities, and state college must develop faculty diversity programs for the recruitment and retention of faculty from all racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.  Institutions that have already developed a program that meet the requirements under the bill are considered in compliance.  Any hires made under this bill must be conducted in alignment with the faculty diversity program.

The student achievement council must collect data and assess the impact of these hires on student outcomes.