This morning the House Higher Education Committee heard several proposed bills, ranging from purchasing to membership on community and technical college boards.

The following bills were heard:

• HB 1568 – Regarding appointing members to the boards of trustees for community colleges and the state board for community and technical colleges.
• HB 1477 – Authorizing the board of trustees at Eastern Washington University to offer educational specialist degrees.
• HB 1663 – Removing the requirement that institutions of higher education purchase from correctional industries.
• HB 1631 – Providing for academic employee salary increments for community and technical colleges.
• HB 1451 – Eliminating the goal of global challenge state funding levels.

The Evergreen State College signed in support for HB 1477 and HB 1663 and did not take a position on the community college related legislation.

Evergreen also submitted written testimony to the Committee in support of House Bill 1451. As stated in our testimony, Evergreen supports the elimination of the Global Challenge State (GCS) framework.  We believe the elimination of this framework will simplify and clarify accountability metrics for Washington’s four-year, public baccalaureate institutions and allow the state to refocus on maintaining access to college for Washington residents.

The GCS framework was established in 2002 as part of the New Economy Index (NEI). The framework lasted for only two-years. Currently, the New Economy Index no longer exists and the states identified in 2002 have not been updated since 2004.