Washington SB 5830: Increasing tenure-track faculty at the public baccalaureate institutions.

Bill Text

AN ACT Relating to increasing tenure-track faculty at the public 1
baccalaureate institutions; adding a new section to chapter 28B.10 2
RCW; and providing an expiration date.3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 28B.10 5
RCW to read as follows:6
(1) The legislature recognizes that extensive research has shown 7
that student outcomes and success, especially for first generation, 8
underserved students, significantly improve by increasing the number 9
of tenure-track faculty at public four-year universities.10
(a) The legislature's goal is that the state universities, 11
regional universities, and state college add 200 new full-time 12
tenure-track positions in the 2022-23 academic year. These positions 13
shall be divided among the six institutions with the most positions 14
allocated to the institutions with the highest student to faculty 15
ratios:16
(i) Thirty at the University of Washington;17
(ii) Thirty at Washington State University;18
(iii) Fifty at Central Washington University;19
(iv) Fifty at Eastern Washington University;20
(v) Twenty at Western Washington University; and21
S-3301.3
SENATE BILL 5830
State of Washington 67th Legislature 2022 Regular Session
By Senators Liias, Hasegawa, Nobles, and C. Wilson
Read first time 01/12/22. Referred to Committee on Higher Education
& Workforce Development.
p. 1 SB 5830

(vi) Twenty at The Evergreen State College.1
(b) This goal is best accomplished through converting part-time 2
faculty positions to full-time tenure-track positions and by hiring 3
new full-time faculty through institutional search processes, with 4
special attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion. If specific 5
funding for the purpose of conversion assignments proposed in this 6
section is not provided in the omnibus operating appropriations act, 7
the conversion assignments proposed must be delayed until such time 8
as specific funding is provided.9
(c) The state universities, regional universities, and state 10
college shall develop a model faculty diversity program designed to 11
provide for the retention and recruitment of faculty from all racial, 12
ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. The faculty diversity program must 13
be based on proven practices in diversity hiring processes. If the 14
state university, regional university, or state college have already 15
developed a plan that meets these requirements, then they are 16
considered in compliance. Any hires made under this section must be 17
conducted in alignment with the faculty diversity program.18
(d) The Washington student achievement council must collect data 19
and assess the impact of the 200 additional full-time tenure-track 20
faculty on student completion rates. The Washington student 21
achievement council must convene representatives of faculty, staff, 22
and administration to report on outcomes as a result of increasing 23
full-time tenure-track faculty. In consultation with representatives 24
of faculty, staff, and administration, the Washington student 25
achievement council must make recommendations about future steps to 26
increase full-time tenure-track faculty that incorporate faculty 27
diversity and historically underserved communities. The Washington 28
student achievement council must report the results of its 29
assessment, along with next step recommendations, to the legislature 30
by December 15, 2024. The Washington student achievement council 31
shall conspicuously post on its website and include in the report 32
definitions for key terms including: Diversity, equity, inclusion, 33
culturally competent, culturally appropriate, historically 34
marginalized communities, communities of color, low-income 35
communities, and community organizations.36
(2) This section expires July 1, 2025.37
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