RCW 28B.50.825
Bachelor of science degree in computer science.
(1) Subject to approval by the college board, community colleges and technical colleges are authorized to offer bachelor of science degrees in computer science.
(2) Community colleges and technical colleges may develop the curriculum for and design and deliver courses leading to a bachelor of science degree in computer science.
(3) Degree programs developed under this section are subject to approval by the college board under RCW 28B.50.090
before a college may enroll students in upper-division courses.
(4)(a) Colleges may submit an application to the college board. The college board shall review the applications and select the colleges using objective criteria including, but not limited to:
(i) The college demonstrates the capacity to make a long-term commitment of resources to build and sustain a high quality program;
(ii) The college has or can readily engage faculty appropriately qualified to develop and deliver a high quality curriculum at the baccalaureate level;
(iii) The college can demonstrate demand for the proposed program from a sufficient number of students within its service area to make the program cost-effective and feasible to operate;
(iv) The college can demonstrate that employers demand the level of technical training proposed within the program, making it cost-effective for students to seek the degree; and
(v) The proposed program fills a gap in options available for students because it is not offered by a public four-year institution of higher education in the college's geographic area or if there is a shortage of programs demanded by industry and workforce.
(b) Applications may not be submitted earlier than December 1, 2021.
(5) A community college offering a bachelor of science degree in computer science on July 25, 2021, is exempt from the requirements of subsection (4) of this section.
[
2021 c 147 s 2
;
2016 sp.s. c 33 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Findings
—
2021 c 147:
"The legislature finds it essential that Washington students, especially low-income students and students of color, have the necessary credentials to secure the high-demand jobs of the future. Washington is fortunate to be home to a large, and growing, technology sector. The technology sector in Washington currently has more than 24,000 job openings, most of which require a four-year bachelor of science degree in computer science. The legislature also finds that the state imported four times as many computer science graduates than it produced in state. The legislature also finds that the state can do a better job of training Washington residents to secure these living wage jobs of the future. Additionally, of the 1,883 computer science degrees awarded in Washington during the 2018-19 school year, only 3.8 percent were awarded to African American students, 5.6 percent to Hispanic students, and less than 1 percent to Native Americans. The legislature further finds that Washington's competitiveness in the global economy requires the state to ensure companies are able to hire a qualified workforce of Washington residents. To achieve the goals set forth in the workforce education investment act, specifically 70 percent postsecondary credential attainment, the legislature finds that we need to expand access to the high-demand field of computer science, especially to students of color." [
2021 c 147 s 1
.]
RCW 28B.50.835
Exceptional faculty awards
—
Intent.
The legislature recognizes that quality in the state's community and technical colleges would be strengthened by additional partnerships between citizens and the institutions. The legislature intends to foster these partnerships by creating a matching grant program to assist public community and technical colleges in creating endowments for funding exceptional faculty awards.
[
1991 c 238 s 62
;
1990 c 29 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1990 c 29:
"If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [
1990 c 29 s 8
.]
RCW 28B.50.8351
Exceptional faculty awards
—
"Foundation" defined.
For purposes of RCW 28B.50.835
through
28B.50.843
"foundation" means a private nonprofit corporation that: (1) Is registered under Title
24
RCW and qualified as a tax-exempt entity under section 501(c)(3) of the federal internal revenue code; (2) exists solely for the benefit of one or more community or technical colleges in this state; and (3) is registered with the attorney general's office under the charitable trust act, chapter
11.110
RCW.
[
1993 c 87 s 3
.]
RCW 28B.50.837
Exceptional faculty awards
—
Established
—
Community and technical college faculty awards trust fund.
(1) The Washington community and technical college exceptional faculty awards program is established. The program shall be administered by the college board. The college faculty awards trust fund hereby created shall be administered by the state treasurer.
(2) Funds appropriated by the legislature for the community and technical college exceptional faculty awards program shall be deposited in the college faculty awards trust fund. At the request of the college board, the treasurer shall release the state matching funds to the local endowment fund of the college or its foundation. No appropriation is necessary for the expenditure of moneys from the fund. Expenditures from the fund may be used solely for the exceptional faculty awards program. During the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, the legislature may transfer from the college faculty awards trust fund to the state general fund such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance in the account.
[
2011 2nd sp.s. c 9 s 901
;
2010 1st sp.s. c 37 s 914
;
2009 c 564 s 1803
;
2003 c 129 s 2
;
2002 c 371 s 902
;
1993 c 87 s 1
; 1991 sp.s. c 13 ss 108, 109;
1991 c 238 s 63
;
1990 c 29 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Effective dates
—
2011 2nd sp.s. c 9:
"Except for sections 903 and 905 of this act which take effect July 1, 2012, this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [December 20, 2011]." [
2011 2nd sp.s. c 9 s 917
.]
Effective date
—
2010 1st sp.s. c 37:
See note following RCW 13.06.050
.
Effective date
—
2009 c 564:
See note following RCW 2.68.020
.
Severability
—
Effective date
—
2002 c 371:
See notes following RCW 9.46.100
.
Effective dates
—
Severability
—
1991 sp.s. c 13:
See notes following RCW 18.08.240
.
Severability
—
1990 c 29:
See note following RCW 28B.50.835
.
RCW 28B.50.839
Exceptional faculty awards
—
Guidelines
—
Matching funds
—
Donations
—
Disbursements.
(1) In consultation with eligible community and technical colleges, the college board shall set priorities and guidelines for the program.
(2) All community and technical colleges and their foundations shall be eligible for matching trust funds. When they can match the state funds with equal cash donations from private sources, institutions and foundations may apply to the college board for grants from the fund in ten thousand dollar increments up to a maximum set by the college board. These donations shall be made specifically to the exceptional faculty awards program and deposited by the institution or foundation in a local endowment fund or a foundation's fund. Otherwise unrestricted gifts may be deposited in the endowment fund by the institution or foundation.
(3) Once sufficient private donations are received by the institution or foundation, the institution shall inform the college board and request state matching funds. The college board shall evaluate the request for state matching funds based on program priorities and guidelines. The college board may ask the state treasurer to release the state matching funds to a local endowment fund established by the institution or a foundation's fund established by a foundation for each faculty award created.
(4) A college, by action of its board of trustees, may transfer those exceptional faculty award funds accumulated in its local endowment fund between July 1, 1991, and July 25, 1993, to its foundation's local endowment fund established as provided in subsection (2) of this section.
[
2003 c 129 s 1
;
1994 c 234 s 3
;
1993 c 87 s 2
;
1991 c 238 s 64
;
1990 c 29 s 3
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1990 c 29:
See note following RCW 28B.50.835
.
RCW 28B.50.841
Exceptional faculty awards
—
Name of award
—
Duties of institution
—
Use of endowment proceeds.
(1) The faculty awards are the property of the institution and may be named in honor of a donor, benefactor, or honoree of the institution, at the option of the institution. The institution shall designate the use of the award to individuals, groups, or for the improvement of faculty as a whole. The designation shall be made or renewed annually.
(2) The institution is responsible for soliciting private donations, investing and maintaining its endowment funds, administering the faculty awards, and reporting on the program to the governor, the college board, and the legislature, upon request. The institution may augment its endowment fund with additional unrestricted private donations. The principal of the invested endowment fund shall not be invaded.
(3) The proceeds from the endowment fund shall be used to pay expenses for faculty awards, which may include faculty development activities, in-service training, temporary substitute or replacement costs directly associated with faculty development programs, conferences, travel, publication and dissemination of exemplary projects; to supplement the salary of the holder or holders of a faculty award; or to pay expenses associated with the holder's program area. Funds from this program shall not be used to supplant existing faculty development funds.
[
2000 c 127 s 1
;
1991 c 238 s 65
;
1990 c 29 s 4
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1990 c 29:
See note following RCW 28B.50.835
.
RCW 28B.50.843
Exceptional faculty awards
—
Determination of award
—
Collective bargaining.
The process for determining local awards shall be subject to collective bargaining. Decisions regarding the amounts of individual awards and who receives them shall not be subject to collective bargaining and shall be subject to approval of the applicable board of trustees.
[
1991 c 238 s 66
;
1990 c 29 s 5
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1990 c 29:
See note following RCW 28B.50.835
.
RCW 28B.50.844
Exceptional faculty awards
—
Eligibility of foundation for matching funds
—
Endowment fund management.
A foundation is not eligible to receive matching funds under RCW 28B.50.835
through
28B.50.843
unless the foundation and the board of trustees of the college for whose benefit the foundation exists have entered into a contract, approved by the attorney general, that: (1) Specifies the services to be provided by the foundation; (2) provides for protection of the community and technical college exceptional awards endowment funds under the foundation's control; and (3) provides for the college's assumption of ownership, management, and control of such funds if the foundation ceases to exist or function properly, or fails to provide the specified services in accordance with the contract.
The principal of the community and technical college exceptional awards endowment fund managed by the foundation shall not be invaded. Funds recovered by a college under this section shall be deposited into the college's local endowment fund. For purposes of this section, community and technical college exceptional awards endowment funds include the private donations, state matching funds, and any accrued interest on such donations and matching funds.
[
1993 c 87 s 4
.]
RCW 28B.50.850
Faculty tenure
—
Purpose.
It shall be the purpose of RCW 28B.50.850
through
28B.50.869
to establish a system of faculty tenure which protects the concepts of faculty employment rights and faculty involvement in the protection of those rights in the state system of community and technical colleges. RCW 28B.50.850
through
28B.50.869
shall define a reasonable and orderly process for appointment of faculty members to tenure status and the dismissal of the tenured faculty member.
[
2015 c 55 s 228
;
1991 c 238 s 67
;
1969 ex.s. c 283 s 32
. Formerly RCW 28.85.850
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 283:
See note following RCW 28A.150.050
.
RCW 28B.50.851
Faculty tenure
—
Definitions.
As used in RCW 28B.50.850
through
28B.50.869
:
(1) "Administrative appointment" shall mean employment in a specific administrative position as determined by the appointing authority;
(2) "Appointing authority" shall mean the board of trustees of a college district;
(3)(a) "Faculty appointment," except as otherwise provided in (b) of this subsection, shall mean full time employment as a teacher, counselor, librarian or other position for which the training, experience and responsibilities are comparable as determined by the appointing authority, except administrative appointments; "faculty appointment" shall also mean department heads, division heads and administrators to the extent that such department heads, division heads or administrators have had or do have status as a teacher, counselor, or librarian; faculty appointment shall also mean employment on a reduced work load basis when a faculty member has retained tenure under RCW 28B.50.859
;
(b) "Faculty appointment" shall not mean special faculty appointment as a teacher, counselor, librarian, or other position as enumerated in (a) of this subsection, when such employment results from special funds provided to a community or technical college district from federal moneys or other special funds which other funds are designated as "special funds" by the college board: PROVIDED, That such "special funds" so designated by the college board for purposes of this section shall apply only to teachers, counselors and librarians hired from grants and service agreements and teachers, counselors and librarians hired in nonformula positions. A special faculty appointment resulting from such special financing may be terminated upon a reduction or elimination of funding or a reduction or elimination of program: PROVIDED FURTHER, That "faculty appointees" holding faculty appointments pursuant to subsections (7) or (3)(a) of this section who have been subsequently transferred to positions financed from "special funds" pursuant to (b) of this subsection and who thereafter lose their positions upon reduction or elimination of such "special funding" shall be entitled to be returned to previous status as faculty appointees pursuant to subsection (7) or (3)(a) of this section depending upon their status prior to the "special funding" transfer. Notwithstanding the fact that tenure shall not be granted to anyone holding a special faculty appointment, the termination of any such faculty appointment prior to the expiration of the term of such faculty member's individual contract for any cause which is not related to elimination or reduction of financing or the elimination or reduction of program shall be considered a termination for cause subject to the provisions of this chapter;
(4) "Probationary faculty appointment" shall mean a faculty appointment for a designated period of time which may be terminated without cause upon expiration of the probationer's terms of employment;
(5) "Probationer" shall mean an individual holding a probationary faculty appointment;
(6) "Review committee" shall mean a committee composed of the probationer's faculty peers, a student representative, and the administrative staff of the community or technical college: PROVIDED, That the majority of the committee shall consist of the probationer's faculty peers;
(7) "Tenure" shall mean a faculty appointment for an indefinite period of time which may be revoked only for adequate cause and by due process.
[
2015 c 55 s 229
;
1993 c 188 s 1
;
1991 c 294 s 2
;
1991 c 238 s 68
;
1988 c 32 s 2
;
1975 1st ex.s. c 112 s 1
;
1974 ex.s. c 33 s 1
;
1970 ex.s. c 5 s 3
;
1969 ex.s. c 283 s 33
. Formerly RCW 28.85.851
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015
(2)(k).
Construction
—
1993 c 188:
"Nothing contained in this act shall be construed to alter any existing collective bargaining unit or the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement." [
1993 c 188 s 5
.]
Effective date
—
1993 c 188:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1993." [
1993 c 188 s 6
.]
Severability
—
1993 c 188:
"If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [
1993 c 188 s 7
.]
Intent
—
1991 c 294:
"Improving the quality of instruction at our state institutions of higher education is a priority of the legislature. Recently, many efforts have been made by the legislature, the colleges, and the *higher education coordinating board to assess and improve the quality of instruction received by students at our state institutions. It is the intent of the legislature that, in conjunction with these various efforts, the process for the award of faculty tenure at community colleges should allow for a thorough review of the performance of faculty appointees prior to the granting of tenure." [
1991 c 294 s 1
.]
*Reviser's note:
The higher education coordinating board was abolished by 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 s 301, effective July 1, 2012.
Construction
—
1991 c 294:
"Nothing contained in this act shall be construed to alter any existing collective bargaining unit or the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement." [
1991 c 294 s 6
.]
Effective date
—
Application
—
1991 c 294:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1991, and shall apply to all faculty appointments made by community colleges after June 30, 1991, but shall not apply to employees of community colleges who hold faculty appointments prior to July 1, 1991." [
1991 c 294 s 7
.]
Severability
—
1991 c 294:
"If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [
1991 c 294 s 8
.]
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 283:
See note following RCW 28A.150.050
.
RCW 28B.50.852
Faculty tenure
—
Rules and regulations
—
Award of faculty tenure
—
Maximum probationary period.
The appointing authority shall promulgate rules and regulations implementing RCW 28B.50.850
through
28B.50.869
and shall provide for the award of faculty tenure following a probationary period not to exceed nine consecutive college quarters, excluding summer quarter and approved leaves of absence: PROVIDED, That tenure may be awarded at any time as may be determined by the appointing authority after it has given reasonable consideration to the recommendations of the review committee. Upon formal recommendation of the review committee and with the written consent of the probationary faculty member, the appointing authority may extend its probationary period for one, two, or three quarters, excluding summer quarter, beyond the maximum probationary period established herein. No such extension shall be made, however, unless the review committee's recommendation is based on its belief that the probationary faculty member needs additional time to complete satisfactorily a professional improvement plan already in progress and in the committee's further belief that the probationary faculty member will complete the plan satisfactorily. At the conclusion of any such extension, the appointing authority may award tenure unless the probationary faculty member has, in the judgment of the committee, failed to complete the professional improvement plan satisfactorily.
[
1991 c 294 s 3
;
1969 ex.s. c 283 s 34
. Formerly RCW 28.85.852
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
Construction
—
Effective date, application
—
Severability
—
1991 c 294:
See notes following RCW 28B.50.851
.
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 283:
See note following RCW 28A.150.050
.
RCW 28B.50.855
Faculty tenure
—
Written agreement embodying terms of employment furnished faculty.
The appointing authority shall provide each faculty member, immediately upon employment, with a written agreement which delineates the terms of employment including all conditions and responsibilities attached thereto.
[
1969 ex.s. c 283 s 35
. Formerly RCW 28.85.855
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 283:
See note following RCW 28A.150.050
.
RCW 28B.50.856
Faculty tenure
—
Evaluation of probationer by review committee
—
Progress report, acknowledgment of receipt
—
Recommendation as to tenure.
The probationary faculty appointment period shall be one of continuing evaluation of a probationer by a review committee. The evaluation process shall place primary importance upon the probationer's effectiveness in his or her appointment. The review committee shall periodically advise each probationer, in writing, of his or her progress during the probationary period and receive the probationer's written acknowledgment thereof. The review committee shall at appropriate times make recommendations to the appointing authority as to whether tenure should or should not be granted to individual probationers: PROVIDED, That the final decision to award or withhold tenure shall rest with the appointing authority, after it has given reasonable consideration to the recommendations of the review committee.
[
2011 c 336 s 741
;
1969 ex.s. c 283 s 36
. Formerly RCW 28.85.856
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 283:
See note following RCW 28A.150.050
.
RCW 28B.50.857
Faculty tenure
—
Decision not to renew probationary appointment, notice by appointing authority, when.
Upon the decision not to renew a probationary faculty appointment, the appointing authority shall notify the probationer of such decision as soon as possible during the regular college year: PROVIDED, That such notice may not be given later than one complete quarter, except summer quarter, before the expiration of the probationary faculty appointment.
[
1991 c 294 s 4
;
1969 ex.s. c 283 s 37
. Formerly RCW 28.85.857
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
Construction
—
Effective date, application
—
Severability
—
1991 c 294:
See notes following RCW 28B.50.851
.
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 283:
See note following RCW 28A.150.050
.
RCW 28B.50.859
Faculty tenure
—
Tenure retained upon reduced work load assignment.
An appointing authority may allow a tenured faculty member to retain tenure upon assignment to a reduced work load. The appointing authority and the faculty member shall execute a written agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of the assignment, including the conditions, if any, under which the faculty member may return to full time employment.
[
1988 c 32 s 1
.]
RCW 28B.50.860
Faculty tenure
—
Tenure retained upon administrative appointment.
A tenured faculty member, upon appointment to an administrative appointment shall be allowed to retain his or her tenure.
[
2011 c 336 s 742
;
1977 ex.s. c 282 s 7
;
1969 ex.s. c 283 s 38
. Formerly RCW 28.85.860
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1977 ex.s. c 282:
See note following RCW 28B.50.870
.
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 283:
See note following RCW 28A.150.050
.
RCW 28B.50.861
Faculty tenure
—
Dismissal only for sufficient cause.
The tenured faculty member shall not be dismissed except for sufficient cause, nor shall a faculty member who holds a probationary faculty appointment be dismissed prior to the written terms of the appointment except for sufficient cause.
[
1969 ex.s. c 283 s 39
. Formerly RCW 28.85.861
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 283:
See note following RCW 28A.150.050
.
RCW 28B.50.862
Faculty tenure
—
Certain grounds constituting sufficient cause.
Sufficient cause shall also include aiding and abetting or participating in: (1) Any unlawful act of violence; (2) any unlawful act resulting in destruction of community or technical college property; or (3) any unlawful interference with the orderly conduct of the educational process.
[
2015 c 55 s 230
;
1969 ex.s. c 283 s 40
. Formerly RCW 28.85.862
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 283:
See note following RCW 28A.150.050
.
RCW 28B.50.863
Faculty tenure
—
Review prior to dismissal
—
Scope
—
Recommendations of review committee.
Prior to the dismissal of a tenured faculty member, or a faculty member holding an unexpired probationary faculty appointment, the case shall first be reviewed by a review committee. The review shall include testimony from all interested parties including, but not limited to, other faculty members and students. The faculty member whose case is being reviewed shall be afforded the right of cross-examination and the opportunity to defend himself or herself. The review committee shall prepare recommendations on the action they propose be taken and submit such recommendations to the appointing authority prior to their final action.
[
2011 c 336 s 743
;
1969 ex.s. c 283 s 41
. Formerly RCW 28.85.863
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 283:
See note following RCW 28A.150.050
.
RCW 28B.50.864
Faculty tenure
—
Appeal from decision for dismissal
—
Procedure.
Any faculty member dismissed pursuant to RCW 28B.50.850
through
28B.50.869
shall have a right to appeal the final decision of the appointing authority in accordance with RCW 34.05.510
through
34.05.598
.
[
1989 c 175 s 80
;
1973 c 62 s 24
;
1969 ex.s. c 283 s 42
. Formerly RCW 28.85.864
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
1989 c 175:
See note following RCW 34.05.010
.
Savings
—
Severability
—
1973 c 62:
See notes following RCW 28B.10.510
.
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 283:
See note following RCW 28A.150.050
.
RCW 28B.50.867
Faculty tenure
—
Tenure rights upon transfer of employment to another community or technical college.
Upon transfer of employment from one community or technical college to another community or technical college within a district, a tenured faculty member shall have the right to retain tenure and the rights accruing thereto which he or she had in his or her previous employment: PROVIDED, That upon permanent transfer of employment to another college district a tenured faculty member shall not have the right to retain his tenure or any of the rights accruing thereto.
[
1991 c 238 s 69
;
1969 ex.s. c 283 s 43
. Formerly RCW 28.85.867
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 283:
See note following RCW 28A.150.050
.
RCW 28B.50.868
Faculty tenure
—
Faculty members currently employed granted tenure.
All employees of a community college district, except presidents, who were employed in the community college district at the effective date of chapter 283, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. and who hold or have held a faculty appointment with the community college district or its predecessor school district shall be granted tenure by their appointing authority notwithstanding any other provision of RCW 28B.50.850
through
28B.50.869
.
[
1970 ex.s. c 5 s 4
;
1969 ex.s. c 283 s 44
. Formerly RCW 28.85.868
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
The various provisions of chapter 283, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. became effective on several different dates. The effective date of the provisions thereof relating to tenure appears to have been midnight August 10, 1969, see preface, Laws of 1969 ex. sess., and see also 1969 ex.s. c 283 ss 54 and 55 (uncodified).
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 283:
See note following RCW 28A.150.050
.
RCW 28B.50.869
Faculty tenure
—
Review committees, composition
—
Selection of faculty representatives, student representative.
The review committees required by RCW 28B.50.850
through
28B.50.869
shall be composed of members of the administrative staff, a student representative, and the faculty. The representatives of the faculty shall represent a majority of the members on each review committee. The members representing the faculty on each review committee shall be selected by a majority of the faculty and faculty department heads acting in a body. The student representative, who shall be a full time student, shall be chosen by the student association of the particular community or technical college in such manner as the members thereof shall determine.
[
1993 c 188 s 2
;
1991 c 238 s 70
;
1974 ex.s. c 33 s 2
;
1969 ex.s. c 283 s 45
. Formerly RCW 28.85.869
.]
NOTES:
Construction
—
Effective date
—
Severability
—
1993 c 188:
See notes following RCW 28B.50.851
.
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 283:
See note following RCW 28A.150.050
.
RCW 28B.50.870
Faculty tenure
—
For certain educational programs operated in state correctional institutions.
The district board of trustees of any college district currently operating an educational program with funds provided by another state agency, including federal funds, which program has been in existence for five or more years under the administration of one or more college districts, shall provide for the award or denial of tenure to anyone who holds a special faculty appointment in such curricular program and for as long as the program continues to be funded in such manner, utilizing the prescribed probationary processes and procedures set forth in this chapter with the exception that no student representative shall be required to serve on the review committee defined in RCW 28B.50.851
: PROVIDED, That such review processes and procedures shall not be applicable to faculty members whose contracts are renewed after *the effective date of this 1977 amendatory act and who have completed at least three consecutive years of satisfactory full time service in such program, who shall be granted tenure by the college district: PROVIDED FURTHER, That faculty members who have completed one year or more of satisfactory full time service in such program shall be credited with such service for the purposes of this section: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That provisions relating to tenure for faculty under the provisions of this section shall be distinct from provisions relating to tenure for other faculty of the college district and faculty appointed to such special curricular program shall be treated as a separate unit as respects selection, retention, reduction in force or dismissal hereunder: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That the provisions of this section shall only be applicable to faculty holding a special faculty appointment in an educational program operated in a state correctional institution pursuant to a written contract with a college district.
[
1991 c 238 s 71
;
1977 ex.s. c 282 s 1
.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
Phrase "the effective date of this 1977 amendatory act":  Except for RCW 28B.50.100
and
28B.50.101
which were effective January 1, 1978, (see note following RCW 28B.50.100
) the effective date of 1977 ex.s. c 282 (the enactment of RCW 28B.50.870, 28B.50.090, 28B.50.140, 28B.50.300, and
28B.50.860
and the repeal of RCW 28B.50.570, 28B.50.590, 28B.50.750, and
28B.56.060
) was September 21, 1977.
Severability
—
1977 ex.s. c 282:
"If any provision of this 1977 amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [
1977 ex.s. c 282 s 10
.]
RCW 28B.50.872
Periodic posttenure evaluation.
By June 30, 1994, each community and technical college shall establish, through the local collective bargaining process, periodic posttenure evaluation of all full-time faculty consistent with the standards of the Northwest association of schools and colleges.
[
1993 c 188 s 3
.]
NOTES:
Construction
—
Effective date
—
Severability
—
1993 c 188:
See notes following RCW 28B.50.851
.
RCW 28B.50.873
Reduction in force of tenured or probationary faculty members due to financial emergency
—
Conditions
—
Procedure
—
Rights.
The college board may declare a financial emergency under the following conditions: (1) Reduction of allotments by the governor pursuant to *RCW 43.88.110
(2), or (2) reduction by the legislature from one biennium to the next or within a biennium of appropriated funds based on constant dollars using the implicit price deflator. When a district board of trustees determines that a reduction in force of tenured or probationary faculty members may be necessary due to financial emergency as declared by the state board, written notice of the reduction in force and separation from employment shall be given the faculty members so affected by the president or district president as the case may be. Said notice shall clearly indicate that separation is not due to the job performance of the employee and hence is without prejudice to such employee and need only state in addition the basis for the reduction in force as one or more of the reasons enumerated in subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
Said tenured or probationary faculty members will have a right to request a formal hearing when being dismissed pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) of this section. The only issue to be determined shall be whether under the applicable policies, rules or collective bargaining agreement the particular faculty member or members advised of severance are the proper ones to be terminated. Said hearing shall be initiated by filing a written request therefor with the president or district president, as the case may be, within ten days after issuance of such notice. At such formal hearing the tenure review committee provided for in RCW 28B.50.863
may observe the formal hearing procedure and after the conclusion of such hearing offer its recommended decision for consideration by the hearing officer. Failure to timely request such a hearing shall cause separation from service of such faculty members so notified on the effective date as stated in the notice, regardless of the duration of any individual employment contract.
The hearing required by this section shall be an adjudicative proceeding pursuant to chapter
34.05
RCW, the Administrative Procedure Act, conducted by a hearing officer appointed by the board of trustees and shall be concluded by the hearing officer within sixty days after written notice of the reduction in force has been issued. Ten days written notice of the formal hearing will be given to faculty members who have requested such a hearing by the president or district president as the case may be. The hearing officer within ten days after conclusion of such formal hearing shall prepare findings, conclusions of law and a recommended decision which shall be forwarded to the board of trustees for its final action thereon. Any such determination by the hearing officer under this section shall not be subject to further tenure review committee action as otherwise provided in this chapter.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, at the time of a faculty member or members request for formal hearing said faculty member or members may ask for participation in the choosing of the hearing officer in the manner provided in RCW 28A.405.310
(4), said employee therein being a faculty member for the purposes hereof and said board of directors therein being the board of trustees for the purposes hereof: PROVIDED, That where there is more than one faculty member affected by the board of trustees' reduction in force such faculty members requesting hearing must act collectively in making such request: PROVIDED FURTHER, That costs incurred for the services and expenses of such hearing officer shall be shared equally by the community or technical college and the faculty member or faculty members requesting hearing.
When more than one faculty member is notified of termination because of a reduction in force as provided in this section, hearings for all such faculty members requesting formal hearing shall be consolidated and only one such hearing for the affected faculty members shall be held, and such consolidated hearing shall be concluded within the time frame set forth herein.
Separation from service without prejudice after formal hearing under the provisions of this section shall become effective upon final action by the board of trustees.
It is the intent of the legislature by enactment of this section and in accordance with RCW 28B.52.035, to modify any collective bargaining agreements in effect, or any conflicting board policies or rules, so that any reductions in force which take place after December 21, 1981, whether in progress or to be initiated, will comply solely with the provisions of this section: PROVIDED, That any applicable policies, rules, or provisions contained in a collective bargaining agreement related to lay-off units, seniority and reemployment rights shall not be affected by the provisions of this paragraph.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the right of the board of trustees or its designated appointing authority not to renew a probationary faculty appointment pursuant to RCW 28B.50.857
.
[
1991 c 238 s 72
;
1990 c 33 s 559
;
1989 c 175 s 81
;
1981 2nd ex.s. c 13 s 1
.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
RCW 43.88.110
was amended by 1991 c 358 s 2 changing subsection (2) to subsection (3).
Purpose
—
Statutory references
—
Severability
—
1990 c 33:
See RCW 28A.900.100
through
28A.900.102
.
Effective date
—
1989 c 175:
See note following RCW 34.05.010
.
Severability
—
1981 2nd ex.s. c 13:
"If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [
1981 2nd ex.s. c 13 s 3
.]
RCW 28B.50.874
Transfer of administration of vocational-technical institutes to system of community and technical colleges
—
Personnel rights.
When the state system of community and technical colleges assumes administrative control of the vocational-technical institutes, personnel employed by the vocational-technical institutes shall:
(1) Suffer no reduction in compensation, benefits, seniority, or employment status. After September 1, 1991, classified employees shall continue to be covered by chapter
41.56
RCW and faculty members and administrators shall be covered by chapter
28B.50
RCW;
(2) To the extent applicable to faculty members, any faculty currently employed on a "continuing contract" basis under RCW 28A.405.210
be awarded tenure pursuant to RCW 28B.50.851
through
28B.50.873, except for any faculty members who are provisional employees under RCW 28A.405.220
;
(3) Be eligible to participate in the health care and other insurance plans provided by the health care authority and the public employees' benefits board pursuant to chapter
41.05
RCW;
(4) Be eligible to participate in old age annuities or retirement income plans under the rules of the state board for community and technical colleges pursuant to RCW 28B.10.400
or the teachers' retirement system plan 1 for personnel employed before July 1, 1977, or plan 2 for personnel employed after July 1, 1977, under chapter
41.32
RCW; however, no affected vocational-technical institute employee shall be required to choose from among any available retirement plan options prior to six months after September 1, 1991;
(5) Have transferred to their new administrative college district all accrued sick and vacation leave and thereafter shall earn and use all such leave under the rule established pursuant to RCW 28B.50.551
;
(6) Be eligible to participate in the deferred compensation plan and programs pursuant to RCW 41.05.123, 41.05.300
through
41.05.360, and
41.05.295
under the applicable rules.
An exclusive bargaining representative certified to represent a bargaining unit covering employees of a vocational technical institute on September 1, 1991, shall remain the exclusive representative of such employees thereafter until and unless such representative is replaced or decertified in accordance with state law.
Any collective bargaining agreement in effect on June 30, 1991, shall remain in effect as it applies to employees of vocational technical institutes until its expiration or renewal date or until renegotiated or renewed in accordance with chapter
28B.52
or
41.56
RCW. After the expiration date of a collective bargaining agreement, all of the terms and conditions specified in the collective bargaining agreement, as it applies to employees of vocational-technical institutes, shall remain in effect until the effective date of a subsequent agreement, not to exceed one year from the termination date stated in the agreement. The board of trustees and the employees may mutually agree to continue the terms and conditions of the agreement beyond the one year extension. However, nothing in this section shall be construed to deny any employee right granted under chapter
28B.52
or
41.56
RCW. Labor relations processes and agreements covering faculty members of vocational technical institutes after September 1, 1991, shall be governed by chapter
28B.52
RCW. Labor relations processes and agreements covering classified employees of vocational technical institutes after September 1, 1991, shall continue to be governed by chapter
41.56
RCW.
[
2008 c 229 s 11
;
1998 c 116 s 14
;
1991 c 238 s 83
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2008 c 229:
See note following RCW 41.05.295
.
RCW 28B.50.8742
Technical colleges
—
Employee option to reenroll in public employees' benefits trust.
Employees of technical colleges who were members of the [a] public employees' benefits trust and as a result of chapter 238, Laws of 1991, were required to enroll in public employees' benefits board-sponsored plans, must decide whether to reenroll in the trust by January 1, 1996, or the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreements, whichever is later. Employees of a bargaining unit or administrative or managerial employees otherwise not included in a bargaining unit shall be required to transfer by group. Administrative or managerial employees shall transfer in accordance with rules established by the health care authority. If employee groups elect to transfer, they are eligible to reenroll in the public employees' benefits board-sponsored plans. This one-time reenrollment option in the public employees' benefits board-sponsored plans is available to be exercised in January 2001, or only every five years thereafter, until exercised.
[
1995 1st sp.s. c 6 s 10
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
1995 1st sp.s. c 6:
See note following RCW 28A.400.410
.
RCW 28B.50.8744
Technical colleges
—
Payment to public employees' and retirees' insurance account.
(1) In a manner prescribed by the state health care authority, technical colleges who have employees enrolled in a benefits trust shall remit to the health care authority for deposit in the public employees' and retirees' insurance account established in RCW 41.05.120
the amount specified for remittance in the omnibus appropriations act.
(2) The remittance requirements of this section do not apply to employees of a technical college who receive insurance benefits through contracts with the health care authority.
[
1995 1st sp.s. c 6 s 19
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
1995 1st sp.s. c 6:
See note following RCW 28A.400.410
.
RCW 28B.50.875
Laboratory services for the analyzing of samples, public agencies may contract with college for.
Local law enforcement agencies or such other public agencies that shall be in need of such service may contract with any community or technical college for laboratory services for the analyzing of samples that chemists associated with such colleges may be able to perform under such terms and conditions as the individual college may determine.
Employees of the Seattle Vocational Institute are exempt from this section until July 1, 1993.
[
1991 c 238 s 73
;
1969 ex.s. c 261 s 35
. Formerly RCW 28.85.875
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1969 ex.s. c 261:
See note following RCW 28B.50.020
.
RCW 28B.50.877
Technical colleges
—
Purchase of support services from school districts.
During the period from May 17, 1991, until September 1, 1991:
(1) The executive director of the state board for community and technical colleges, or the executive director's designee, may enter into contracts, or agreements for goods, services, and personnel, on behalf of the technical college, which are effective after September 1, 1991. The executive director, or the executive director's designee, may conduct business, including budget approval, relevant to the operation of the technical college in the period subsequent to September 1, 1991.
(2) Vocational-technical institute directors may conduct business relevant to the operation of the vocational-technical institutes. School boards and superintendents may not restrict or remove powers previously delegated to the vocational-technical institute directors during the 1990-91 school year.
(3) Technical colleges' boards of trustees appointed before September 1, 1991, shall serve in an advisory capacity to the vocational-technical institute director.
As of September 1, 1991, technical colleges may, by interlocal agreement, continue to purchase from the school districts, support services within mutually agreed upon categories at a cost not to exceed the indirect rate charged during the 1990-91 school year. No employee of a technical college may be discriminated against based on actions or opinions expressed on issues surrounding chapter 238, Laws of 1991. Any dispute related to issues contained in this section shall be resolved under *RCW 28B.50.302
.
[
1991 c 238 s 143
.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
RCW 28B.50.302
was decodified pursuant to
2015 c 55 s 119
.
RCW 28B.50.880
Apprentices
—
Recommendations of the state board for community and technical colleges.
The state board for community and technical colleges shall provide recommendations to the apprenticeship council and apprenticeship programs, established under chapter
49.04
RCW, on matters of related and supplemental instruction for apprentices, coordination of instruction with job experiences, and the qualification of teachers for such instruction.
[
2001 c 204 s 8
;
1991 c 238 s 111
.]
RCW 28B.50.890
Apprentices
—
Associate degree pathway.
(1) At the request of an apprenticeship committee pursuant to RCW 49.04.150, the community or technical college or colleges providing apprentice-related and supplemental instruction for an apprenticeship program shall develop an associate degree pathway for the apprentices in that program, if the necessary resources are available.
(2) In developing a degree program, the community or technical college or colleges shall ensure, to the extent possible, that related and supplemental instruction is credited toward the associate degree and that related and supplemental instruction and other degree requirements are not redundant.
(3) If multiple community or technical colleges provide related and supplemental instruction for a single apprenticeship committee, the colleges shall work together to the maximum extent possible to create consistent requirements for the pathway.
[
2003 c 128 s 3
.]
NOTES:
Findings
—
2003 c 128:
See note following RCW 49.04.150
.
RCW 28B.50.891
Apprenticeship programs or certificate programs
—
Transferable course credits.
Beginning with the 2015-16 academic year, any community or technical college that offers an apprenticeship program or certificate program for paraeducators must provide candidates the opportunity to earn transferable course credits within the program. The programs must also incorporate the standards of practice developed by the Washington professional educator standards board under RCW 28A.410.260
and include multicultural education and principles of language acquisition. Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, by September 1, 2018, the paraeducator apprenticeship and certificate programs must also incorporate the state paraeducator standards of practice adopted by the paraeducator board under RCW 28A.413.050
.
[
2021 c 197 s 13
;
2017 c 237 s 20
;
2014 c 136 s 4
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
Intent
—
2021 c 197:
See note following RCW 28A.415.443
.
RCW 28B.50.895
Apprentice education waivers.
With regard to waivers for courses offered for the purpose of satisfying related or supplemental educational requirements for apprentices registered with the Washington state apprenticeship council or the federal bureau of apprenticeship and training, colleges may at the request of an apprenticeship organization, deduct the tuition owed from training contracts with that apprentice organization.
[
2005 c 159 s 1
.]
RCW 28B.50.902
Centers of excellence.
(1) The college board, in consultation with business, industry, labor, the workforce training and education coordinating board, the department of commerce, the employment security department, and community and technical colleges, shall designate centers of excellence and allocate funds to existing and new centers of excellence based on a competitive basis.
(2) Eligible applicants for the program established under this section include community and technical colleges. Priority shall be given to applicants that have an established education and training program serving the targeted industry and that have in their home district or region an industry cluster with the same targeted industry at its core.
(3) It is the role of centers of excellence to employ strategies to:
(a) Create educational efficiencies;
(b) Build a diverse, competitive workforce for strategic industries;
(c) Maintain an institutional reputation for innovation and responsiveness;
(d) Develop innovative curriculum and means of delivering education and training;
(e) Act as brokers of information and resources related to community and technical college education and training and assistance available for firms in a targeted industry; and
(f) Serve as partners with workforce development councils, associate development organizations, and other workforce and economic development organizations.
(4) Examples of strategies under subsection (3) of this section include but are not limited to: Sharing curriculum and other instructional resources, to ensure cost savings to the system; delivering collaborative certificate and degree programs; and holding statewide summits, seminars, conferences, and workshops on industry trends and best practices in community and technical college education and training.
[
2014 c 174 s 2
;
2011 1st sp.s. c 14 s 6
;
2009 c 151 s 4
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
2014 c 174:
"The legislature intends to dissolve the operations of innovate Washington and transfer the innovate Washington facilities to Washington State University." [
2014 c 174 s 1
.]
RCW 28B.50.903
Coordination and alignment of aerospace training programs
—
Aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing pipeline advisory committee.
(1) The state board for community and technical colleges, in collaboration with aerospace or advanced materials long-term training providers, short-term training providers whose mission is focused on customized and innovative short-term training, and apprenticeship program providers, shall facilitate coordination and alignment of aerospace training programs to the maximum extent possible. This coordination and alignment shall include but not be limited to the following activities:
(a) Providing up-to-date information about the aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing training programs in the state;
(b) Providing information about grants and partnership opportunities;
(c) Providing coordination for professional development for faculty and other education and training providers;
(d) Evaluating programs identified by the aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing pipeline advisory committee annually for completion and job placement results; and
(e) Making budget recommendations to the governor and the legislature specific to the aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing training programs.
(2) The state board for community and technical colleges shall establish an aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing pipeline advisory committee consisting of not less than eleven nor more than fifteen members. A majority of members shall represent industry with the chair selected by the committee from among the industry members. Members of the advisory committee shall also include at least two persons representing labor who represent aerospace or advanced materials production workers and also include education and training providers including, but not limited to, the director of a long-term training program, the director of a short-term training program whose mission is to focus on customized and innovative short-term training, and the director of an apprenticeship program. The advisory committee's duties include but are not limited to:
(a) Providing direction for a skills gap analysis that is: (i) Produced with the workforce training and education coordinating board using data developed through the education data center; and (ii) consistent with the joint assessment by the higher education coordinating board or its successor, the state board for community and technical colleges, and the workforce training and education coordinating board of the number and type of higher education and training credentials required to match employer demand for a skilled and educated workforce;
(b) Establishing goals for students served, program completion rates, and employment rates;
(c) Coordinating and disseminating industry advice for aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing training programs; and
(d) Recommending training programs for review by the workforce training and education coordinating board in coordination with the state board for community and technical colleges.
(3) All requirements in this section are subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for the specific purposes described.
[
2012 c 50 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
Intent
—
2012 c 50:
"The legislature finds that a skilled workforce is essential for employers and job seekers to compete and grow Washington's aerospace industry as part of the global economy. The legislature intends to improve coordination of the state's training system for skilled aerospace workers in order to provide better alignment with industry needs in the present and over the long term for both two-year training programs, short-term training, and relevant apprenticeship programs to keep pace with a rapidly changing industry. The legislature further intends to increase aerospace skill development and education and training programs and help increase jobs for Washington's citizens." [
2012 c 50 s 1
.]
RCW 28B.50.912
Transfer of powers from superintendent of public instruction and state board of education to state board for community and technical colleges.
All powers, duties, and functions of the superintendent of public instruction and the state board of education pertaining to projects of adult education, including the state-funded *even start and including the adult education programs operated pursuant to 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1201 as amended by P.L. 100-297, are transferred to the state board for community and technical colleges. All references to the director or superintendent of public instruction or the state board of education in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the director or the state board for community and technical colleges when referring to the functions transferred in this section.
[
1991 c 238 s 85
.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
Chapter
28B.06
RCW, project even start, expired August 1, 2015, pursuant to
2015 c 55 s 101
.
RCW 28B.50.913
Transfer of powers from Washington institute for applied technology to Seattle Vocational Institute.
The public nonprofit corporation for the Washington institute for applied technology is hereby abolished and its powers, duties, and functions are hereby transferred to the sixth college district. The Washington institute for applied technology shall be renamed the Seattle Vocational Institute. The Seattle Vocational Institute shall become a fourth unit of the sixth college district. All references to the director or public nonprofit corporation for the Washington institute for applied technology in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the director of the Seattle Vocational Institute.
[
1991 c 238 s 94
.]
RCW 28B.50.916
Students experiencing homelessness and foster youth program.
(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, each community and technical college may implement a program to provide assistance to students experiencing homelessness and to students who were in the foster care system when they graduated high school. The program must provide certain accommodations to these students that may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) Access to laundry facilities;
(b) Access to storage;
(c) Access to locker room and shower facilities;
(d) Reduced-price meals or meal plans, and access to food banks;
(e) Access to technology;
(f) Access to short-term housing or housing assistance, especially during seasonal breaks; and
(g) Case management services.
(2) The community and technical colleges may also establish plans to develop surplus property for affordable housing to accommodate the needs of students experiencing homelessness and students who were in the foster care system when they graduated high school.
(3) The community and technical colleges shall leverage existing community resources by making available to students in the program information that is available for individuals experiencing homelessness, including through not-for-profit organizations, the local housing authority, and the department of commerce's office of homeless youth.
(4) The community and technical colleges participating in the program shall annually provide a joint report to the appropriate committees of the legislature in accordance with RCW 43.01.036
beginning December 1, 2023, that includes at least the following information:
(a) The number of students experiencing homelessness or food insecurity, and the number of students who were in the foster care system when they graduated high school who attended a community or technical college during the program. The college board shall coordinate with all of the community and technical colleges to collect voluntary data on how many students experiencing homelessness or food insecurity are attending the community and technical colleges;
(b) The number of students assisted by the program;
(c) Strategies for accommodating students experiencing homelessness or food insecurity, and former foster care students; and
(d) Legislative recommendations for how students experiencing homelessness or food insecurity, and former foster care students could be better served.
(5) For purposes of this section, "program" means the students experiencing homelessness and foster youth program.
[
2023 c 339 s 1
;
2021 c 62 s 1
;
2019 c 330 s 1
.]
RCW 28B.50.920
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
—
Strategic plans
—
Student-based organizations
—
Outreach programs
—
Model faculty diversity programs.
(1) Beginning July 30, 2022, all community and technical colleges must submit, on a biennial basis, strategic plans to the state board for community and technical colleges for achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion of all races on their campuses.
(2) Colleges must create their strategic plans using an inclusive process of stakeholders including, but not limited to, classified staff, faculty, administrative exempt staff, students, and community organizations. Colleges are encouraged to use campus climate surveys to develop and update strategic plans for diversity, equity, and inclusion of all races.
(3) In addition to planning, each community and technical college shall include in its diversity program opportunities for students from historically marginalized communities to form student-based organizations, and to use community-based organizations, that permit students to work together to mentor and assist one another in navigating the educational system and to access trained mentors using evidence-based mentoring strategies.
(4) Each community and technical college shall establish a culturally appropriate outreach program. The outreach program may include communities of color, students with disabilities, neurodiverse communities, and low-income communities and be designed to assist potential students to understand the opportunities available in the community and technical college system. The outreach program may assist students with navigating the student aid system. Outreach programs may include partnerships with appropriate community-based organizations and use research and supports from the student achievement council.
(5) The state board for community and technical colleges shall develop a model faculty diversity program designed to provide for the retention and recruitment of faculty from all racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. The faculty diversity program must be based on proven practices in diversity hiring processes.
(6) Each community and technical college shall conspicuously post on its website and include in the strategic plans, programs, and reports definitions for key terms including: Diversity, equity, inclusion, culturally competent, culturally appropriate, historically marginalized communities, communities of color, low-income communities, and community organizations.
[
2021 c 272 s 3
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
2021 c 272:
"The legislature recognizes that student completion rates for workforce training certification and degree programs at community and technical colleges are far lower than desirable to ensure that students may utilize the opportunities of postsecondary education to lift themselves and their families out of poverty and to meet our state's student achievement council road map goals, including for 70 percent of Washington residents to have a postsecondary certification or degree to meet workforce needs. The legislature recognizes that first-generation college-attending students, students with disabilities, and underrepresented minority students face far greater obstacles to apply, remain in school, and complete programs. This disparate impact greatly affects our state's commitment to equity.
The legislature recognizes that offering tuition financial support to first-generation and underrepresented minority students is necessary for students to enroll and attend college but must also be accompanied by proven supports for them to complete their degrees or workforce training programs.
The legislature recognizes that there are mentorship and advising programs based on strong evidence that have been proven to be successful in greatly increasing retention and degree or workforce training completion rates for first-generation students, underrepresented minority students, students with disabilities, and for all students at community and technical colleges. It is the legislature's intent that successful programs such as guided pathways be implemented at all community and technical colleges with the goal of doubling completion rates (as measured by completion in six years) for students in the next eight years. To accomplish this goal, the legislature intends to achieve full implementation of research-based programs to improve student outcomes, such as guided pathways. The legislature affirms that all students receiving Washington college grants, college bound scholarships, or federal Pell grants should receive the supports, including mentoring, that have been proven to increase completion rates.
The legislature further finds that research establishes that students from underrepresented minorities are far more likely to complete degrees or workforce training certification programs if the faculty and staff of the college reflect the diversity of the student body. Therefore, the legislature intends for the state's community and technical colleges to develop and implement plans to increase faculty and staff diversity." [
2021 c 272 s 1
.]
Findings
—
2021 c 272:
"The legislature finds that there is a need to expand investments in community and technical colleges for the purpose of guaranteeing both equitable access and educational success for all residents of the state, particularly for students from communities of color and low-income communities. The legislature finds further that equality of opportunity for all students requires investments to support services that are critical to: The success of students of color and low-income students; provide systemwide equity initiatives intended to make community and technical college campuses welcoming, benevolent places; overcome the digital divide for all students; and provide qualified and available counseling throughout the community and technical college system. The legislature also finds that a more full-time, stable, fairly compensated, and diverse community and technical college faculty is necessary to enhance student success and to improve the mentoring available for a diverse student body. The legislature also finds that resources for student aid and workforce investment need to be adequate to meet the needs of all students in the state, particularly those from families of color and low-income families." [
2021 c 272 s 2
.]
Short title
—
2021 c 272:
"This act may be known and cited as the our colleges our future act of 2021." [
2021 c 272 s 11
.]
RCW 28B.50.925
Guided pathways
—
Implementation
—
Reports.
(1) Subject to availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, each community and technical college shall fully implement guided pathways. At a minimum, guided pathways implementation must include:
(a) Comprehensive mapping of student educational pathways with student end goals in mind. These must include transparent and clear career paths that are tightly aligned to the skills sought by employers. Pathways must align course sequences to show clear paths for students, alignment with K-12 and university curriculum, and skill sets needed to enter the workforce;
(b) Dedicated advising and career counseling that helps students make informed program choices and develop completion plans. Advising services may include processes that help students explore possible career and educational choices while also emphasizing early planning. Advising must be culturally competent and with an emphasis on helping historically underserved, low-income, and students of color navigate their education;
(c) Data analysis of student learning as well as program and service outcomes. Data must be used to inform program development, the creation and further refinement of student pathways, and to provide opportunities for early intervention to help students succeed; and
(d) A student success support infrastructure using programs that the state board for community and technical colleges finds have been effective in closing equity gaps among historically underserved student populations and improve student completion rates. The student success support program must be based on research or documented evidence of success. In tandem with guided pathways implementation, student success support programs may include evidence-based elements such as:
(i) Equity competent academic advising services;
(ii) Equity competent career development programming;
(iii) Clear information regarding financial aid and financial literacy; and
(iv) Inclusive curriculum and teaching practices.
(2) Each community and technical college shall post on its website and include in the guided pathways program documentation and reports definitions for key terms including: Diversity, equity, inclusion, culturally competent, culturally appropriate, historically marginalized communities, communities of color, low-income communities, and community organizations.
(3)(a) The Washington state institute for public policy, in consultation with the workforce education investment accountability and oversight board under RCW 28B.77.310, shall complete an evaluation of the guided pathways model. To the extent possible, the institute shall complete a preliminary report that evaluates the effect of the guided pathways model on early student outcomes including, but not limited to, student retention and persistence, college level English and math within the first year, and graduation and transfer rates. The preliminary report must review the implementation of the guided pathways model in Washington and any available evidence of the effectiveness of the guided pathways model. The preliminary report must be submitted by December 15, 2023.
(b) The Washington state institute for public policy shall complete a final report that evaluates the effect of the guided pathways on longer-term student outcomes including, but not limited to, degree completion, time to degree, transfer to four-year institutions, employment, and earnings, to the extent possible. The final report must be submitted by December 15, 2029.
(c) Both the preliminary and final reports must consider differences in outcomes by racial and ethnic subgroups and socioeconomic status.
[
2023 c 282 s 2
;
2021 c 272 s 4
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
Findings
—
Short title
—
2021 c 272:
See notes following RCW 28B.50.920
.
RCW 28B.50.930
Mental health counselor pilot program.
(Expires January 1, 2026.)
(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the college board shall administer a pilot program to increase student access to mental health counseling and services.
(2) The college board, in collaboration with the selection committee, shall select community or technical colleges to participate in the pilot program. At least half of the participating colleges must be located outside of the Puget Sound area. For purposes of this section, "Puget Sound area" means Snohomish, King, Pierce, and Thurston counties. Each participating college must receive a grant to implement one or more strategies to increase student access to mental health counseling and services, including substance use disorder counseling and services.
(3)(a) A selection committee consisting of the following shall assist with the application selection process:
(i) One community or technical college president;
(ii) One community or technical college vice president for student services or student instruction;
(iii) Two faculty counselors employed at a community or technical college; and
(iv) One community or technical college student.
(b) The selection committee may consult with representatives of an entity within a college or university that has expertise in suicide prevention and the department of health in developing selection criteria.
(4) Community and technical colleges wishing to participate in the pilot program shall apply to the college board. Applicants must identify opportunities for expanding on-campus mental health counseling and services. Applicants must also show a commitment to further develop partnerships by engaging external community providers, including those who provide crisis services and substance use disorder treatment and counseling. Applications that demonstrate plans to include one or more of the following strategies recommended by the community and technical college counselors task force must be prioritized:
(a) Improve equity, diversity, and inclusion of all races in counseling services, such as by diversifying the counselor workforce by adopting equity-centered recruiting, training, and retention practices or by providing equity training and awareness for all counselors;
(b) Meet mental health needs of students through an all-campus effort;
(c) Engage students to help increase mental health and counseling awareness and promote help-seeking behavior through student groups and other methods;
(d) Increase the visibility of counseling services on campus;
(e) Increase or expand external partnerships with community service providers;
(f) Adopt the use of telebehavioral health, especially in underresourced communities;
(g) Develop an assessment of counseling services to inform improvements and ensure counseling services are meeting student needs; or
(h) Implement counseling approaches grounded in theory that have evidence of being effective.
(5) Colleges selected to participate in the pilot program that use grant funding to hire additional mental health counselors must hire counselors who have specific graduate-level training for meeting the mental and behavioral health needs of students.
(6) Colleges selected to participate in the pilot program shall submit a joint report to the appropriate committees of the legislature and in accordance with RCW 43.01.036
by November 1, 2023. The report must include:
(a) Information on which colleges were selected for the pilot program, how much grant funding was received per college, and what strategies each implemented to increase student access to mental health counseling and services;
(b) Demographic data of students accessing mental health counseling and services, including those students who are considered underrepresented or traditionally have limited access to mental health counseling and services;
(c) Whether the mental health counseling and services provided are meeting the demand of students in terms of type and availability, and whether the various types of mental health counseling and services are being provided by community providers versus on-campus services;
(d) Information and data on the effectiveness, including cost-effectiveness, of each strategy used to increase student access to mental health counseling and services, including substance use disorder counseling and services, such as the number of additional students served, reduced wait times for counseling appointments, or other data that reflects expanded access; and
(e) Lessons learned and recommendations for improving student access to mental health counseling and services at community and technical colleges and to community providers, including whether there were any strategies implemented that proved more effective than others in increasing access.
(7) Colleges selected for the pilot program shall conspicuously post on their websites and include in the report to the legislature the definitions for key terms including: Diversity, equity, inclusion, culturally competent, culturally appropriate, historically marginalized communities, communities of color, low-income communities, and community organizations.
(8) The pilot program expires July 1, 2025.
(9) This section expires January 1, 2026.
[
2021 c 272 s 6
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
Findings
—
Short title
—
2021 c 272:
See notes following RCW 28B.50.920
.
RCW 28B.50.935
Faculty counselors
—
Minimum standards.
(1) It is the intent of the legislature to provide clear minimum standards to ensure qualified faculty counselors while also providing flexibility to allow for differences in criteria required by hiring institutions. Within existing resources, and beginning September 1, 2021, the college board shall adopt rules regarding the minimum hiring standards for a faculty counselor. At a minimum, these must include:
(a) A graduate or professional degree in a related field;
(b) Completion of appropriate graduate coursework; and
(c) Standards established by the state board for community and technical colleges.
(2) The requirements and standards imposed through this section do not apply to an individual employed by a college district as a counselor before September 1, 2021. Counselors who began employment at one college district prior to September 1, 2021, and moved employment to a different college district after that date may carry the exemptions from the requirements and standards imposed through this section to their new place of employment.
[
2021 c 272 s 7
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
Findings
—
Short title
—
2021 c 272:
See notes following RCW 28B.50.920
.
RCW 28B.50.940
Student aid outreach and completion initiative pilot program
—
Outreach specialists.
Subject to availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the college board shall administer a free application for federal student aid and Washington application for state financial aid outreach and completion initiative pilot program.
(1) The college board shall select community or technical colleges to participate in the pilot program. The colleges selected to participate must each be located within educational service districts that are in the bottom two for free application for federal student aid completion rates when combining their respective school districts' free application for federal student aid completion rates over the past three completed academic years prior to June 9, 2022. Colleges selected to participate shall employ outreach specialists to work directly with the high schools located in the corresponding educational service district. It is the legislature's intent that the outreach specialists be employed at a ratio of one to 600 high school seniors within the corresponding educational service district. The outreach specialists shall make significant contact with high school students and their families for the purpose of increasing free application for federal student aid and Washington application for state financial aid completion rates. The outreach specialists shall use the free application for federal student aid and Washington application for state financial aid data maintained by the student achievement council to conduct targeted outreach and free application for federal student aid and Washington application for state financial aid completion assistance to high school seniors. The outreach specialists shall also provide information on how to access private scholarships. The outreach specialists shall conduct other outreach as appropriate, including virtual or in-person presentations with students and families, announcements on school intercoms and social media channels, outreach to recent high school graduates as peer messengers, and events at school college or career fairs.
(2) The college board shall report annually to the appropriate committees of the legislature in accordance with RCW 43.01.036
beginning December 1, 2023, on the free application for federal student aid and Washington application for state financial aid outreach and completion initiative pilot program. The report must include details on how the colleges selected used the funding and how the initiatives worked to increase free application for federal student aid and Washington application for state financial aid completion rates. The report must also include before and after free application for federal student aid and Washington application for state financial aid completion data and specific details about the number of high school students assisted in completing the free application for federal student aid and Washington application for state financial aid.
[
2022 c 214 s 3
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
2022 c 214:
See note following RCW 28B.77.300
.
RCW 28B.50.945
Career and technical education dual credit pilot program.
(Expires July 1, 2030.)
(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the college board shall administer, and award grant funding to, a regional pilot program, for the purpose of increasing career and technical education dual credit participation and credential attainment in professional technical programs.
(2) The pilot program must be a continuation of the pilot program established in section 601(47)(a), chapter 376, Laws of 2024. This pilot program may receive grant funding for up to two years.
(3) Community and technical colleges, public high schools, and skill centers participating in a pilot program may use grant funding to cover expenses for the following activities:
(a) Developing, and updating annually, a comprehensive catalog of dual credit courses and programs offered to students enrolled in public high schools;
(b) Aligning career and technical education dual credit programs with postsecondary credential pathways and apprenticeships leading to in-demand career fields;
(c) Providing technical assistance to public high schools and institutions of higher education to improve the accuracy and speed of awarding dual credits and updating transcripts;
(d) Providing professional development for staff of public high schools and institutions of higher education to develop, align, and articulate dual credit courses; and
(e) Supporting public high school staff in the following activities:
(i) Outreach to prospective students and students who have completed career and technical education dual credit courses and are eligible for postsecondary credit about how to receive and where to apply the credit;
(ii) Providing technical assistance in course curriculum alignment for career and technical education dual credit courses;
(iii) Partnering with institutions of higher education to develop articulation agreements for career and technical education dual credit courses; and
(iv) Awarding equipment and supplies grants for career and technical education dual credit courses that meet emerging needs in high-demand, high-paying industries.
(4) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Public high school" means a public school as defined in RCW 28A.150.010
with any of grades nine through 12; and
(b) "Skill centers" refers to the regional career and technical education partnerships established under chapter
28A.245
RCW.
(5) This section expires July 1, 2030.
[
2025 c 104 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Findings
—
Intent
—
2025 c 104:
"(1) The legislature finds that students who participate in dual credit programs have higher rates of college enrollment, persistence, and completion. Dual credit programs are an important economic development for Washington because they equip students with the skills needed for high-skill, high-wage employment and continued education in high-demand sectors.
(2) Career and technical education (CTE) dual credit is the most commonly accessed form of dual credit in Washington and has significant potential to improve equitable access to postsecondary pathways for students from all backgrounds. However, it lags behind other course-based dual credit programs in ensuring that students receive a transcripted credit while in high school, and that the credit they earn will transfer to the postsecondary institution of their choice.
(3) Therefore, the legislature intends to extend and expand a pilot program for the purpose of increasing CTE dual credit participation and credential attainment in professional technical programs and receive recommendations on future amendments to state dual credit policies." [
2025 c 104 s 1
.]
RCW 28B.50.947
Career and technical education dual credit pilot program
—
Reports.
(Expires July 1, 2030.)
(1) In compliance with RCW 43.01.036, the college board, in consultation with the office of the superintendent of public instruction, shall jointly report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the implementation of chapter 104, Laws of 2025 and with recommendations for additional improvements to state dual credit policies. The preliminary report is due by December 10, 2026, and the final report is due by August 10, 2027.
(2) One or both reports must include the following information:
(a) Findings regarding the pilot program created for the purpose of increasing career and technical education dual credit participation and credential attainment in professional technical programs under RCW 28B.50.945
; and
(b) Recommendations to the legislature and relevant state agencies for:
(i) Improving career and technical education course articulation and for the development of statewide articulation agreements;
(ii) Improving data collection and reporting methods;
(iii) Credit transcription and transfer processes;
(iv) Ensuring college and career counseling for high school students includes robust and accurate information about dual credit pathways, including career and technical education dual credit, and their alignment to postsecondary credential and apprenticeship opportunities;
(v) Further alignment of career and technical education dual credit with career-connected learning, apprenticeship, and credential pathways; and
(vi) Identification of additional priority career and technical education dual credit courses for statewide articulation, considering, but not limited to, the targeted industry sectors under RCW 43.330.090
.
(3) The final report must establish recommendations to improve state career and technical education dual credit policies, create statewide articulation agreements, and improve the uniform transcription of earned credits. These recommendations must include input from a statewide organization representing career and technical education and other relevant interested parties and report on potential statutory changes and administrative rule improvements that support equitable student access to, and the effectiveness of, career and technical education dual credit programs.
(4) This section expires July 1, 2030.
[
2025 c 104 s 3
.]
NOTES:
Findings
—
Intent
—
2025 c 104:
See note following RCW 28B.50.945
.
RCW 28B.50.980
Construction
—
Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships
—
2009 c 521.
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
[
2009 c 521 s 75
.]