TO: Library Media Directors Council

Spring State Board Report
April 2010
Page 5

May 2010

TO: Library Media Directors Council

FROM: Cable Green, Director of eLearning & Open Education
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

RE: 2010 Spring State Board Report

2010 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Below is a brief summary of key bills of interest to the community and technical colleges. Visit the SBCTC legislative information web site for the latest information.

Educational Programs

E2SHB 1418 Establishing a statewide dropout re-engagement system. The bill provides a framework for a system to provide educational opportunities and access to services for students ages 16 to 21 who have dropped out of high school or are not earning enough credits to complete a high school diploma in a public school before age 21.

SSB 6357 Credit for prior learning and private career college credit—which directs the SBCTC to develop policies for awarding academic credit for prior learning experiences (such as military and law enforcement training, career college training, internships, apprenticeships)—sponsored by Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor.

SB 6467 Authorizing honorary degrees for students who were ordered into internment camps.

Governance

SSB 6355 Expanding the higher education system upon proven demand (“CTC Applied Baccalaureate” Bill) sponsored by Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor.

E2SSB 6359 Promoting efficiencies—including institutional coordination and partnerships—in the community and technical college system (the “Efficiency” Bill), sponsored by Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor.

Tuition

HB 2973 Creating resident student classifications for certain members of the military, their spouses, and dependents has been delivered to the Governor for her signature.

HB 2519 Addressing duty-related death benefits for public safety employees. Requires (rather than permits as in current law) state higher education institutions to waive payment of all tuition, services, and activity fees for both the children and surviving spouses of any law enforcement officer, firefighter, or Washington State Patrol Officer that died or became totally disabled in the line of duty.

Workforce, Economic Development

HB 2630 Creating the Opportunity Express program, sponsored by Rep. Tim Probst, D-17th District, is being delivered to the Governor. Among other things establishes an Opportunity Express Account to be used for specified programs including (but not limited to) worker retraining, opportunity internship, and the opportunity grant program.

SHB 2684 Establishing Opportunity Centers at community colleges (Seattle Community College District), sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney, D-Seattle.

HB 3141 Regarding delivery of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and authorization for Working Connections Childcare (WorkFirst Bill).

E2SHB 2782 Concerning the security lifeline act. Creating an online opportunity portal to provide effective access to available state, federal, and local (social) services.

Budget

HB 3178 Creating efficiencies in the use of technology in state government, sponsored by Rep. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle. The bill was amended to remove higher education from information technology purchasing requirements; however, colleges and universities will be required to report the total cost of ownership of IT assets, including acquisition, development, and operations.

SSB 6382 Reducing the cost of state government operations by restricting compensation (“Salary Freeze” bill), sponsored by Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton.

ESSB 2921 Expenditure Freeze Provisions and SSB 6382 Salary Freeze Provision Guidance is provided below:

Additional guidance on requesting exemptions has been provided to your college’s Business Office.

The SBCTC Bill Summary—outlining impacts of any new and revised laws on Washington community and technical colleges—will be published after the dust settles on the regular and special session and the Governor has completed all signings.

2009 Legislative Session Updates (more under System Taskforces & Reports section)

E2SHB 2021 Revitalizing financial aid (“Opportunity Pathway” labeling requirements).

SSB 5734 Making certain current higher education tuition-setting practices permanent.
Under RCW 28B.15.067 (3)(c), prior to reducing or increasing tuition for each academic year, each college in the state board for community and technical college system shall consult with existing student associations or organizations with undergraduate student representation regarding the impacts of potential tuition increases. Colleges shall provide data regarding the percentage of students receiving financial aid, the sources of aid, and the percentage of total costs of attendance paid for by aid.

BUDGET UPDATE (4/13/10 system email from Chris Reykdal)

Operating Budget (See attached for details):

·  $44.8 million in cuts ($7 million of this is described as “temporary layoffs” (furloughs). It is unclear whether the cuts are permanent or if there is some expectation that the legislature will restore these funds in the 2011-13 budget. For budgeting purposes, colleges should treat the fiscal impact as permanent until we learn more later.

·  $17.6 million in Worker Retraining additions (one-time), funds 3,784 more slots for FY2011.

·  $1 million in additional Opportunity Grant funding (one-time)

·  $18 million in new state funds to cover higher health insurance costs for employees

·  We did get the turnover savings language we were seeking that will allow turnover savings for FY2010 and FY2011 to be used to fund faculty salary increments.

·  Tuition increase limited to 7% (this is no change from previous proposals)

Other notes of interest:

·  Work Study program is cut by 30%, student numbers to remain constant but the state is lowering its wage subsidy and the employers will pick it up. Non-residents students will no longer qualify for the program.

·  The Opportunity Express Account is created (HB-2630) and will be the “vehicle” for funding the one-time Worker Retraining slots and the new $1 million for additional Opportunity Grants.

·  $22.8 million in M&O currently funded in the Capital Budget will be shifted back to the Operating Budget. Funding is provided so the net impact to colleges will be zero.

·  The overall budget relies on $800 million in new revenue but does not include a general sales tax increase. Candy, gum, bottled water, soda, beer, cigarettes, and a few other consumables will see higher taxes.

·  The legislature is assuming a projected ending fund balance of nearly $500 million for the biennium (in case fiscal conditions continue to deteriorate).

Capital Budget (see attached for details):

·  $42 million reduction to the capital budget but $22.8 million of that is returned in the operating budget.

·  $4.4 million added for minor works

·  $3.3 million added in the form of a contingency pool exclusively for the CTC system to address unforeseen problems stemming from cuts to projects.

·  $6.6 million added for Cascade Core at Ft. Steilacoom. This will relieve a small bit of backlog as we prepare the 2011-13 capital budget.

·  $6.3 million added for debt service at Green River and Bellingham Technical College.

These are conference budgets and not subject to amendment. After legislative action, we will await possible vetoes by the Governor before sending out official allocations. Draft allocation schedules will be prepared in anticipation of State Board action at their May 5-6 meeting.

THE WASHINGTON STATE STUDENT COMPLETION INITIATIVE UPDATE

At its March 18 meeting, the State Board approved the Washington Achievement Initiative Year One Grants to College for 2010-2011. Attached is a summary of the colleges that were awarded grants and a brief description of their programs:

SYSTEM TASKFORCES AND REPORTS

Transfer Policy group. The purposes of this group are to:

·  Review findings and conclusions for Transfer Study (why some transfer eligible students don’t transfer)

·  Identify critical issues in transfer agreements

·  Explore alternative approaches to transfer agreements – specifically with UW Seattle

·  Participate in discussions with UW Seattle regarding 2003 transfer agreements

Attached is a summary of research findings and data with associated guiding principles that will be used in discussions with four-year colleges and universities regarding proportionality agreements and 2+2 pathway articulation agreements.

A Research Report: What Well-Prepared Transfer Students Tell Us About Strategies To Remove Barriers To Transfer (March 2010).

Facilities of the Future. Attached are guiding principles suggested by the WACTC Instruction Commission task force on Facilities of the Future based upon conversations and a review of the literature. Councils should send their feedback to their commission liaisons for final draft input, which is due in May.

Technology Transformation Taskforce (TTT). Per 2SHB 1946, the 2009-10 Higher Education Technology Transformation Taskforce was created and directed to develop a plan to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of education relative to the strategic and operational use of technology in public higher education in the State of Washington.

A final TTT report with recommendations is due to the Legislature by December 2010.

Running Start Finance Study. Per HB 2119, the SBCTC, in collaboration with the other institutions of higher education that participate in the running start program and the office of the superintendent of public instruction, will identify, assess, and report on alternatives for providing ongoing and adequate financial support for the program. A report on the assessment of alternatives is due to the governor and to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the legislature by September 1, 2010.

2009 Fall Enrollment Report. Attached is the 2009 Fall Enrollment Report presented by David Prince at the March WACTC Meeting. If you have any questions, please contact David at 360-704-4347 or .

ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING (ERP) SOFTWARE SYSTEM UPDATE

Attached are the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Project Principles and project philosophy approved at the March WACTC meeting. The principles were created by the WACTC Technology Committee and contain elements that were identified by Collegiate Project Services as part of their work to assist our system in selecting options to modernize our student, financial, and payroll/personnel computer systems. Guiding principles are strategic and needed to reflect the commitment of system leadership to the successful implementation of the ERP while guiding our work. Establishing Project Principles is the first of seven steps required for this project. The remaining steps include: 2) Assessing “Readiness” (achieve organizational understanding); 3) Determine software requirements and document business practices; 4) Select the ERP Technology Partners; 5) Plan the implementation; 6) Implement the ERP solution; and 7) Post the Implementation Assessment.

SBCTC-IT REPORT