We will update this page as we make progress on issues and add new causes to our work. If you are interested in being involved, we will inevitably deal with issues that require extra help and will solicit for participation in committees. When that time comes, we will most likely create a new page. In the meantime, this is a great way to keep track of our work, and if you think you may be able to help with something, don’t hesitate to reach out to wafactc@gmail.com.
An Online HS+ Community for Faculty – Survey Response Request
The FACTC Communications Chair, Lauran Schaefer, agreed to share a survey from Shaunie Decker at Green River College about the formation of an online HS+ Community for Faculty. Decker requested responses to this survey about possible online hosting platforms for the community by March 15, 2025.
Joining the State Board of Community & Technical Colleges Formal Structure
The FACTC will be deciding whether they want to join the SBCTC commission and council structure. This has been a longstanding conversation, and in the last year, the representatives spent significant time learning about the benefits and potential drawbacks of joining the SBCTC. If you’re interested in learning more about this issue, the executive leadership drafted a summary of the considerations involved in this decision. A formal vote will occur at the Spring 2025 meeting on April 29, 2025. Thank you to our representative from Walla Walla Community College, Jennifer Vaughn, for spearheading this effort.
General Inquiry Into the Similarities & Differences in Salary & Promotion Criteria
We are currently collecting information from our representatives about the salary and promotion criteria at their respective colleges. This is an issue led by our Vice President, Sangeeta Sangha, who provided an explanation for the inquiry and guiding questions for representatives. While this document is not the version that our members are using to provide feedback, we encourage you to leave comments in the margins if you have information that may be relevant.
SB 5663: An Act Related to Establishing a Virtual Campus for All Washingtonians
At our Winter 2025 Meeting, our President, Tish, invited a colleague, Kathy Cox, to present her work related to SB 5663, which is an act that would establish a virtual campus, similar to California’s virtual campus. The SBCTC discussed it on their blog on February 14, 2025. The bill is sponsored by Senators Slatter, Nobles, Frame, Lovick, and Valdez, and most recently passed the Senate on March 4, 2025 and was read in the House on March 6, 2025. The most recent changes scale back the bill by allowing colleges to advertise online courses outside of their district while still banning colleges from competing for enrollment.
We are following the progress of this bill, and we will continue to update faculty about its progression. When necessary, we will seek feedback about the final version of the bill from our representatives and our SBCTC partners. If you have any information for or against the bill that you would like to share, please reach out at wafactc@gmail.com.