Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee
HB 1278
Brief Description: Concerning the role of students on the governing boards of institutions of higher education.
Sponsors: Representatives Pollet, Leavitt, Salahuddin, Ramel, Reed, Goodman, Scott, Nance, Macri and Simmons.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Boards of Trustees for each community and technical college district to include a student member.
  • Requires each institution of higher education to provide an opportunity for a student government representative to provide an in-person report at each regular meeting of the governing board.
Hearing Date: 1/22/25
Staff: Elizabeth Allison (786-7129).
Background:

Boards of Trustees ? Community and Technical Colleges.

Community and technical college districts are governed by Governor-appointed Boards of Trustees.? Each Board of Trustees is composed of five members appointed for terms of five years.? A sixth student member may be selected.

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Boards of Trustees?? Regional Universities.

Each regional university is governed by Governor-appointed Boards of Trustees composed of eight members who serve for six years, except a student member who serves for one year. ?The regional universities are Western Washington University in Bellingham, Eastern Washington University in Cheney, and Central Washington University in Ellensburg.? The regional universities must conduct a regular meeting at least twice a year.

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Board of Trustees?? The Evergreen State College.

The Evergreen State College is governed by a Governor-appointed Board of Trustees composed of eight members who serve for six years, except a student member who serves for one year.? The Evergreen State College must conduct a regular meeting at least twice a year.

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Boards of Regents?? State Universities.

The state universities, which are the University of Washington and Washington State University, are each governed by a Governor-appointed Board of Regents composed of 11 members who serve for six years, except a student member who serves for one year.? The University of Washington Board of Regents must conduct a regular meeting at least once a quarter.? The Washington State University Board of Regents must conduct a regular meeting at least once a year.
Summary of Bill:

The Board of Trustees for each community and technical college district must include a student member.

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Regional universities, state universities, The Evergreen State College, and community and technical college districts must allow a student government representative from their respective institution or district to address their respective governing board at each regular meeting.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 17, 2025.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.