Governor Signs Tuition Waiver Bill

April 23, 2007

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - It was a historic moment for Central Washington University last Thursday when Governor Chris Gregoire signed HB 1497, which increases the opportunity for students at Central to receive a state-supported tuition waiver. HB 1497 increases the percentage of tuition waivers for which CWU receives state reimbursement from 8 to 10 percent.

"I'm very pleased that the Legislature and the governor have given CWU the opportunity to provide tuition waivers at a level comparable to that of other state regional universities," said Dr. Jerilyn S. McIntyre, CWU president. "With the state funding associated with this new tuition waiver capacity, Central will be able to make earning a degree more affordable for students who need financial assistance."

Funding for this legislation is provided in the state operating budget, which begins a five-year phase-in of funding with an appropriation of $500,000 in 2007-09 biennium. Tuition waivers reduce some or all of the operating fees students must pay to attend CWU. The increase sets CWU's tuition waiver authority at the same level approved for Western Washington University.

"It feels great to know that the bill has been signed into law and that there are no further hurdles with regard to the statute change," said Steve DuPont, ASCWU Vice President for Political Affairs, who led student efforts to get the bill approved. "I am pleased to have been able to help fulfill one of students' top priorities and come through with this legislation that directly benefits Wildcats."

About 35 supporters looked on as the governor signed the bill into law. The group included CWU Pres. Jerilyn S. McIntyre; six CWU students; CWU professor Dr. Jim Huckabay, Council of Faculty Representatives; Ann Anderson, CWU Director of Government Relations; and five legislators, including the bill's sponsor, Rep. Deb Wallace (D-Vancouver), a CWU Alumna. Also present were local legislators Rep. Bill Hinkle (R-Cle Elum) and Rep. Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake), who co-sponsored the bill, as well as Sen. Jim Clements and Sen. Janéa Holmquist, who co-sponsored the Senate version of the proposal, SB 5466.

CWU's efforts to increase state-supported tuition waiver authority began in the 2004 session of the Legislature. The combined efforts of CWU administrators, faculty, alumni and students this year earned the unanimous approval of the bill by the House and Senate.

CWU is the primary higher education provider in several central Washington counties, including Klickitat and Yakima Counties, where participation in higher education is below the state average. Many of CWU's low-income students are the first in their families to go to college, and many are from groups underrepresented in higher education. More than 80 percent of CWU students depend on some kind of financial assistance to attend school.