WA SB5523

Community and technical college boards of trustees must expand from five to six members, with the sixth position filled by a student trustee appointed by the governor from candidates submitted by associated student governments, beginning July 1, 2026

Student trustees serve one-year terms, must be at least 18 years old, enrolled for at least 10 credits, and in good academic standing; they must recuse themselves from voting on litigation, faculty hiring/discipline, and collective bargaining matters

Student representatives from associated student governments at community and technical colleges must be given an opportunity to provide in-person reports at each regular board of trustees meeting

At four-year universities (UW, WSU, regional universities), student representatives from undergraduate and graduate student governments at each campus must be given an opportunity to provide in-person reports at regular board meetings

State funding cannot be used for student trustee travel to non-regularly scheduled meetings, though student fees, local college funds, or private sources may cover such travel