[Wsssc] Possible legislative priorities

[Robert Cox]

Good afternoon, colleagues,

As we discussed at the meeting a little over a week ago, the presidents have been sent the legislative agenda survey. Based on our conversation with Arlen and Tim, for this year, the way we can get WSSSC legislative priorities on the agenda is to send them to our Presidents, discuss them with them, and have them add them to the list of priorities before they send in their survey on February 29th.

Although we didn't get a chance to formally vote on WSSSC priorities, we have identified the list of priorities below. This list is not comprehensive but rather is from notes for the last couple of years that we have tracked as priorities came up in meetings.

If you agree that any of these priorities are significant, I would encourage you to talk to your subject matter expert (listed below), discuss them with your presidents,  and add them to your survey as appropriate. If there is something that you are aware of that is missing from the list please send it to the group. The following list that we identified is in no particular order:


  *   Change WA State Financial Aid eligibility to match the Federal Requirements. This would greatly simplify processing aid in our FA offices. Specifically:
     *   Changing the 600% max timeframe for WCG to match Pell lifetime eligibility.  FA has pushed hard for WSAC to take that to the legislature to align so we aren't monitor two different lifetime timeframes.  Currently WCG is 10 semester or 15 quarters for fulltime, equaling 5 year or 500%.  (Subject matter expert: Financial Aid Director)

  *   Make the Associates degree a state  approved HS graduation pathway for HS students. This legislative action would allow HS students to fully participate in RS without having to worry about HS degree requirements. It would allow students to take elective classes that are required for entrance to their BA program and would open the door to students in CTE fields to focus on technical degrees with applicable elective classes. It would also make it so HS students don't have to choose between getting their Associates degree and walking with their friends in HS graduation.  (Subject matter expert: Running Start Director/staff)
  *   Flexibility for the Community Based funding FAFSA completion effort. Allow colleges to work with CBS's if possible but also allow colleges in rural areas to use the funding for campus staff. (Subject matter expert: Financial Aid Director)
  *   Increase the athletic tuition waiver from 25% to 40% and broaden it to non-NWAC sports and student leadership positions. (Subject matter expert: Athletic Director)
  *   Additional Emergency funds for students (increase SSEH and SEAG). (Subject Matter expert: SEAG/SSEH project manager)
  *   Additional funding for mental health counselors with proper mental health credentials. (Subject matter expert: Director of Counseling)
  *   Funding to support affordable housing options for students (perhaps something like funds for on-campus housing subsidies for the lowest income students). ( Subject matter expert: Housing Director)

Hopefully next year we will have a more comprehensive process to discuss these items at WSSSC and formally vote on them.


Claire and Rob


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Robert Cox
Vice President | Student Services
robert.cox at centralia.edu<mailto:robert.cox at centralia.edu> | O: 360-623-8385 C: 360-688-3827
Student Services Office: TAC 210
600 Centralia College Blvd. Centralia, WA 98531
www.centralia.edu<http://www.centralia.edu/> | 360-736-9391

My work hours might not be the same as yours. If you receive this email outside of your work hours, please note that it is not sent with an expectation that you are reading or responding outside of your work hours. Thanks for your understanding!

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