This bill amends existing laws regarding the management and employment practices of community and technical colleges, as well as regional universities and The Evergreen State College in Washington. A significant change introduced in the bill is the requirement that each college and university must not employ more than one full-time equivalent employee for every six full-time equivalent enrolled students. This provision aims to ensure that institutions maintain a balanced ratio of staff to students, promoting efficiency and potentially reducing costs.

In addition to the employment ratio, the bill also clarifies the responsibilities of the college board and university presidents, emphasizing their roles in overseeing compliance with laws and regulations. The amendments include the insertion of language that specifies the averaging of enrollment and full-time equivalent employees over the academic year, which provides a clearer framework for how these ratios are to be calculated and monitored. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the operational effectiveness of higher education institutions in Washington while ensuring that staffing levels are aligned with student enrollment.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 28B.50.090, 28B.35.390, 28B.40.390