SRC-JRN S.B. 296 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 296
By: Sibley
Education
2-10-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, there is no uniform application form for persons seeking
application as an undergraduate student to a general academic teaching
institution, nor is there widespread use of exchanging transcripts
electronically among Texas schools.  Common applications have been used
for many years among both private and public colleges.  Thus, it has been
argued that the availability of common applications on the Internet and
the use of electronic transcripts makes the student's application process
to colleges easier and reduces the costs.  This bill requires the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt a uniform undergraduate
admissions application form and requires the board to make the application
available by electronic means such as the Internet. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 296 requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board to adopt a uniform admission application for general academic
teaching institutions and requires the board to make the application
available to the public by electronic means such as the internet. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board under SECTION 1 (Chapter 61C, Section 61.080(a), Education Code) of
this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 61C, Education Code, by adding Section 61.080,
as follows: 

Sec. 61.080. UNIFORM UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION APPLICATION FORM. Requires
the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board), by rule, to adopt a
uniform admission application form for a person seeking admission as an
undergraduate student to a general academic teaching institution
(institution).  Requires the board to include certain information on the
form that the board considers appropriate.  Requires the board to consult
with a representative of each institution  before adopting a form or
revision to a form under this section.  Requires the board to publicize
the availability of the form and to ensure that copies and information
relating to its use are distributed to the appropriate personnel at each
public high school.  Requires the board to make the form available to the
public via the Internet or other commonly used telecommunications medium.
Requires each  institution to accept an undergraduate application using
the form adopted under this section.  Provides that an applicant may use a
photocopy of the adopted form.  Provides that an institution is not
prohibited from using its own undergraduate admission application form or
from requiring additional information after the applicant has submitted
the uniform admission application form. 

SECTION 2. Requires the board to adopt a uniform undergraduate admission
application form by January 1, 1998.  Requires an institution to accept
undergraduate applications using the uniform admission application form
beginning with applicants for the 1998-1999 academic year. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.