Board Meeting - July 28, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 23, 2009

HECB meets with CTC board to discuss key issues facing higher ed

     OLYMPIA – Will Washington be able to meet its strategic goal of increasing annual degree attainment 40 percent by 2018?  Does our higher education system have the capacity to accomplish this? How do we maintain momentum in a period of reduced resources?

     The Higher Education Coordinating Board and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges will hold a joint meeting Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood to discuss these and other key issues facing the state’s higher education system.

     On the agenda are a review of recent strategic planning efforts and a report on a new initiative – a System Design Plan – that will chart the course for development of the state’s higher education system to 2030 and beyond.

     The HECB has been tasked by the Legislature to create several major reports this year prior to the 2010 session. This work will be combined with the System Design Plan work to support the effort to educate more Washington citizens to higher levels.

     Among this work is a Tuition Flexibility Study that will examine and make recommendations about alternative tuition models such as income-differentiated tuition. The HECB also is providing leadership for a statewide Technology Transformation Task Force; a College Access Portal plan for students planning, preparing, or attending postsecondary education; and a re-branding of the state’s financial aid programs as Opportunity Pathways.

     In addition, this summer and fall the HECB is participating in an effort to establish the state’s first set of Performance Agreements – contracts between the state and its four-year institutions establishing accountability and funding standards for higher education.

     Also on the agenda are a number of new degree proposals, including a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design at Bellevue College. Bellevue College is one of seven community and technical colleges authorized to offer applied bachelor’s degrees.

     The regular HECB meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to
2 p.m. and the joint meeting from 2 to 4 p.m.

     Briefing materials for the meeting are available at:
              www.hecb.wa.gov/boardmtgs/index.asp

Who:     Higher Education Coordinating Board

What:    July Regular Meeting

     Joint Meeting with the State Board for
     Community and Technical Colleges

Where:  Clover Park Technical college, Bldg. 3, Rotunda

               4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood

When:   Tuesday, July 28, 2009, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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For more information: Bob Burdick

(360) 704-4169 or bobb@hecb.wa.gov