Undergraduate programs

AN ACT Relating to the review and discontinuance of low-1
enrollment undergraduate programs at public baccalaureate 2
institutions; adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW; and providing an 3
effective date. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The definitions in this section apply 6
throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires 7
otherwise.8
(1) "Low-enrollment program" means an undergraduate degree 9
program at a public baccalaureate institution that produces fewer 10
than 10 graduates per academic year, averaged over the most recent 11
five-year period. 12
(2) "Public baccalaureate institution" has the same meaning as 13
the state universities and regional universities defined under RCW 14
28B.10.016. 15
(3) "Teach-out plan" means a plan developed by a public 16
baccalaureate institution to ensure that students currently enrolled 17
in a discontinued program have a reasonable opportunity to complete 18
their degree. 19
S-3627.1
SENATE BILL 5909
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Senator Boehnke
Prefiled 12/17/25.
p. 1 SB 5909
(4) "Undergraduate degree program" means a program at a public 1
baccalaureate institution where a student receives a baccalaureate 2
degree at completion of the program. 3
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) Each governing board of a public 4
baccalaureate institution shall annually identify and compile a list 5
of low-enrollment programs.6
(2) A program that appears on the low-enrollment list for three 7
consecutive years is subject to a discontinuance review by the 8
governing board. 9
(3) In conducting the discontinuance review, the governing board 10
must consider extenuating circumstances including, but not limited 11
to: 12
(a) The program is new and has been offered for fewer than five 13
years; 14
(b) Equity and access considerations; 15
(c) Workforce demand or specialized regional need; and16
(d) Accreditation or licensure requirements. 17
(4) Should the governing board find no extenuating circumstances 18
in its review under subsection (3) of this section, the board shall 19
recommend discontinuing the program. 20
(5) Any recommendation for discontinuance must include a teach-21
out plan for enrolled students. All recommendations and plans for the 22
program must be included in the annual report required by section 3 23
of this act. 24
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) Where an undergraduate degree program 25
has appeared on a public baccalaureate institution's low-enrollment 26
list for three consecutive years, the public baccalaureate 27
institution shall include it in a report on low-enrollment programs 28
to the legislature. The report must include:29
(a) All low-enrollment programs identified under section 2 of 30
this act; 31
(b) Actions taken by the governing board regarding low-enrollment 32
programs; 33
(c) Data used in the review demonstrating that the program or 34
programs identified meet the threshold requirements in section 2 of 35
this act; 36
(d) Analysis of the program's financial and student-outcome 37
performance; 38
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(e) Extenuating circumstances regarding the program, as outlined 1
in section 2(3) of this act; and 2
(f) The strategy for either the: 3
(i) Closure of the program by the institution, if the governing 4
board recommends discontinuance, including any teach-out plan, 5
consolidation, or other arrangement; or 6
(ii) Continuance of the program, if the governing board 7
recommends continuing the program, and the reason for that decision.8
(2) The report must be submitted annually in compliance with RCW 9
43.01.036 to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the 10
legislature by the end of the proceeding calendar year.11
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 1 through 3 of this act 12
constitute a new chapter in Title 28B RCW.13
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This act takes effect July 1, 2026.14
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