State Board to hear college system's 2024 legislative priorities
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges will hold its regular business meeting Thursday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. On the agenda is a discussion and preview of the college system's 2024 legislative agenda and priorities. Those include requests for funding to:
- Create at least 15 additional Bachelor of Science in Computer Science programs.
- Develop free, copyright cleared educational resources as an alternative to high-priced textbooks.
- Upgrade college buildings to comply with the state's Clean Building Act and decarbonization and energy efficiency efforts.
- Construction of Lower Columbia College's Center for Vocational and Transitional Studies.
- Design and construction of Columbia Basin College's Performing Arts Building Replacement.
The board is also scheduled to discuss the accountability metrics in its recently updated 2020-30 Strategic Action Plan and is set to approve bachelor's and applied bachelor's degrees at:
- South Puget Sound Community College and Grays Harbor College for a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
- Olympic College for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Healthcare.
- Spokane Community College for a Bachelor of Applied Science in DevOps Engineering.
Prior to the business meeting, the board will hold a study session Oct. 18 when they are expected to hear degree statements of need from:
- Bellevue College for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Radiation Therapy
- Green River College for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Accounting
- Walla Walla Community College for a Bachelor of Applied Science Teacher Education
The business meeting and study session will be held at South Seattle College Georgetown Campus, 6737 Corson Ave. S in Seattle. The agenda and background materials are posted on the State Board website. Both meetings are open to the public.
