On June 28 the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) held its final meeting as a state agency.

The meeting focused primarily on the Board’s Call to Action and a dialogue with higher education stakeholders with regard to the current context of higher education in Washington and hopes for the new agency that will replace the HECB on July 1.

The Call to Action focuses on renewing the state’s commitment to serve more students. The call lays out the current context highlighting the reductions in state funding, the benefits of raising educational attainment, and the long-term impact of a disinvestment in higher education.

The call asks stakeholders and policymakers to maintain access and affordability with an eye to the future in this challenging fiscal environment.

As higher education institutions and states nationwide continue to grapple with new funding realities, we again stress the need to find new ways to invest in our children’s and our society’s futures by maintaining our historic commitment to educating all our citizens to higher levels. Institutions and states share this responsibility.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board will be replaced on July 1 by the Washington Student Achievement Council.