Rep. Riccelli on House passage of his student advisory committees bill

February 20, 2013

Riccelli and students
Rep. Riccelli and students at the Code Reviser’s office, about to drop HB 1331 into “the Hopper.”

Rep. Marcus Riccelli (D – Spokane), passed his first piece of legislation in the state House of Representatives today.  Riccelli is the 3rd Legislative District’s newest House member.  His bill, HB 1331, authorizes the formation of student advisory committees at the state’s public four-year colleges and universities.  These advisory committees would provide students a voice within the school administration on issues affecting their educational access and success, like the setting of tuition and fee levels.  Rep. Riccelli released the following statement today on final passage of his bill:

“The credit for this bill’s near-unanimous House passage goes to the students from our four-year institutions who have worked so hard over the past year to round up support for it from both sides of the aisle.

“Discussions about tuition-setting at our state’s colleges and universities are incomplete without input from those who will be paying the majority of tuition costs – the students themselves.

“Our state has gone from subsidizing two-thirds of a student’s tuition to subsidizing just over one-third.  The difference is made up by the student, generally in the form of educational debt.  This means students are paying off their education for many years, even decades, after graduation.  Taking on that kind of financial responsibility, I believe, gives these students a place at the table when tuition costs are being considered.

 “This bill gives students a stronger voice in these important discussions about the costs of their education.  I’m optimistic the Senate will also support giving our students this additional tool for engagement.”

Evan Smith, president of the Associated Students of the University of Washington, provided the following statement in support of HB 1331:

“In order to ensure we have the best campus decision-making possible, students must get involved and make their interests heard. HB 1331 provides and protects this opportunity for students and will ensure our universities are running efficiently and effectively. This is smart and bipartisan policy. Let’s get it done.”