FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2831

PARTIAL VETO

                                  C 287 L 90

BYHouse Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Jacobsen, Van Luven, Ebersole, Kirby, Sayan, Rector, Anderson, Dellwo, Inslee, Prentice, Wang, Belcher, Sprenkle, Miller, Rayburn, Basich, P. King, Crane, Wineberry, Winsley, Ferguson, Leonard and Wood)

Establishing the American Indian endowed scholarship program.

House Committe on Higher Education

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Higher Education and Ways & Means

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

American Indians and Alaskan Natives constitute about 1.5 percent of Washington's population, according to 1986 Census Bureau data.  These students are enrolled in the state's colleges and universities at about the same percentage.  However, American Indians participate in significantly larger percentages in lower division courses than in upper division and graduate level programs.  American Indians and Alaskan Natives comprise about 2 percent of community college enrollment, 1 percent of enrollment in four-year institutions, and .6 percent of enrollment in graduate and professional programs.

A recent national study found that only a third of the American Indian students who enroll in college obtain a degree.  More than half of the students who drop out do so in their freshman year.  The study found that the greatest difficulties facing American Indian students were limited financial resources, inadequate preparation, and difficulties in adjusting to a campus environment.

The state of Wyoming has attempted to help American Indian students through matching $500,000 in state funds with $500,000 of tribal moneys provided by the Northern Arapaho tribe.  The combined funds were used to create an endowed scholarship fund.  The earnings of the fund are being used to provide scholarships for Northern Arapaho students enrolled in upper-division and graduate level programs.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature finds that American Indians are underrepresented in higher education.  The Legislature intends to help rectify past discrimination by creating an endowed scholarship program for American Indian students.

The American Indian Endowed Scholarship Program is created.  The program will be administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board.  The board's program powers and duties are described.  These include selecting students with the help of a screening committee, adopting rules and guidelines, and publicizing the program.  The board will also solicit and accept grants and donations, deposit donations into the endowment fund, and receive moneys from the state treasurer for funding the scholarships.  The board will name the scholarships in honor of American Indians from Washington who acted as role models.

The board will design the program and establish student selection criteria with the help of an advisory committee.  The selection criteria will include a priority for upper-division or graduate students.  The criteria may include a priority for students majoring in program areas in which expertise is needed by the state's American Indians.

The advisory and the screening committees will be composed of people involved in helping American Indians to obtain a higher education.  The committees may include, but are not limited to representatives of: Indian tribes, urban Indians, the governor's Office of Indian Affairs, the Washington State Indian Education Association, and institutions of higher education.

American Indians who are needy resident students and who are enrolled full time at a public or accredited independent college or university are eligible to participate.  Participants must be willing to use their education to benefit other American Indians.

The board may award scholarships from funds received from any source, including appropriated funds, private donations, or earnings on the American Indian Scholarship Endowment fund.  An undergraduate student will receive a scholarship that does not exceed the student's demonstrated financial need.  A graduate student will receive either an amount up to the student's demonstrated need, or the stipend of a teaching assistant at the University of Washington, whichever is higher.  The method of calculating need is described.  The amount of the scholarship is limited to the amount received by a student attending a state research university.  Each student may continue to receive a scholarship for five years, at the discretion of the board.

The American Indian Endowed Scholarship Trust Fund is created. The fund will be administered by the state treasurer.  Appropriated money will be deposited in the trust fund and invested by the treasurer. The treasurer will transfer $500,000 from the trust fund to the American Indian Scholarship Endowment Fund at the request of the Higher Education Coordinating Board.  The board may make that request when it has received private cash donations of at least $500,000.  Private donations are defined as moneys from nonstate sources, including federal funds, tribal moneys, and assessments by commodity commissions.

The American Indian Scholarship Endowment Fund is established.  The endowment fund will also be administered by the treasurer. Private donations, state matching funds, and money received from any other source will be deposited into the endowment fund.  The treasurer will invest the money in the fund and release its earnings to the board for scholarships.  The principal of the endowment fund must not be invaded.  No appropriation is necessary for expenditures from either the trust fund or the endowment fund.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 91   6

      Senate    48     0 (Senate amended)

      House 94   0 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990

Partial Veto Summary:  The governor vetoed the section that made the program null and void unless funding for it was provided in the Supplemental Omnibus Appropriation Act by June 30, 1990.  (See VETO MESSAGE)