By: West, et al. S.C.R. No. 78
99S1514/1
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, Over the course of the twentieth century the State
1-2 of Texas has risen to become preeminent among the 50 states, more
1-3 diverse in the composition of its citizens and economy than most,
1-4 and more unified in its collective will to achieve than any other;
1-5 and
1-6 WHEREAS, This elevation of Texas in stature among the people
1-7 of the United States has been achieved not only through the benefit
1-8 of an abundance of natural resources and the drive and optimism of
1-9 its citizens, but also through the benefit of a strong system of
1-10 education, and the state has produced two presidents, the first
1-11 African-American congresswoman, countless productive citizens, and
1-12 advances in medicine, science, space exploration, computer
1-13 technology, and the arts; and
1-14 WHEREAS, In recent years the governor and the legislature
1-15 have successfully focused significant resources and attention on
1-16 the state's K-12 public education system in an effort to ensure
1-17 that every child receives an education of the highest quality, and
1-18 the increased resources and attention have yielded substantially
1-19 improved student academic performance and higher standardized test
1-20 scores; and
1-21 WHEREAS, The state's K-12 public education system is now
1-22 graduating increasingly higher percentages of students who are
1-23 academically and mentally prepared for the challenge and
1-24 opportunity to go to college; and
2-1 WHEREAS, A highly educated citizenry comprised of individuals
2-2 from all socioeconomic backgrounds will be critical to this state
2-3 in order to sustain its economy, ensure the health and safety of
2-4 its citizens, and create opportunity for all Texans in the
2-5 twenty-first century; and
2-6 WHEREAS, The 76th Legislature is the last legislature of the
2-7 twentieth century and wishes to ensure for the citizens of the next
2-8 century a system of higher education that is positioned to
2-9 successfully navigate the challenges of the twenty-first century;
2-10 now, therefore, be it
2-11 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-12 hereby create the Special Commission on Twenty-First Century
2-13 Colleges and Universities to study issues relating to the systems
2-14 and institutions of higher education in the state, including
2-15 two-year colleges and technical colleges, and the method and level
2-16 of funding for various institutions of higher education in the
2-17 state as it pertains to their mission and role; the accessibility
2-18 and affordability of higher education in the state, including how
2-19 projected changes in the demographics of the state may impact
2-20 higher education institution enrollment capacity, student
2-21 populations, state student financial assistance programs, and
2-22 higher education admissions policies; the historic success of
2-23 institutions of higher education in retaining, educating, and
2-24 graduating students, including the factors that impact individual
2-25 institution retention and graduation rates, and the merit of
2-26 employing a system of accountability among institutions of higher
3-1 education in the state; and the role of technology in the provision
3-2 of higher education services throughout the state, including the
3-3 efficiency of current higher education telecommunications and
3-4 distance-learning network infrastructures, and the role of this
3-5 medium in providing greater access to higher education services for
3-6 the citizens of the state; and, be it further
3-7 RESOLVED, That the commission be composed of 15 members, with
3-8 five members being appointed by the governor, five members being
3-9 appointed by the lieutenant governor, and five members being
3-10 appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and, be
3-11 it further
3-12 RESOLVED, That the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker
3-13 of the house of representatives serve as honorary cochairs of the
3-14 commission. The lieutenant governor shall designate a member of
3-15 the commission as the chair of the commission and the speaker of
3-16 the house of representatives shall designate a member of the
3-17 commission as the vice chair of the commission; and, be it further
3-18 RESOLVED, That the chair may appoint advisory committees, as
3-19 necessary, whose composition may be determined by the chair and
3-20 whose members need not be members of the commission; and, be it
3-21 further
3-22 RESOLVED, That the commission shall hold meetings and public
3-23 hearings at the call of the chair, employ staff, and procure goods
3-24 and services as needed to further the work of the commission; and,
3-25 be it further
3-26 RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget Board, the Texas
4-1 Legislative Council, the Governor's Office, the Texas Education
4-2 Agency, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the State
4-3 Auditor's Office, the senate, and the house of representatives be
4-4 authorized to provide staff support to the commission on the
4-5 request of the commission; and, be it further
4-6 RESOLVED, That the commission have authority to issue process
4-7 as provided in Sections 301.024 through 301.027, Government Code,
4-8 and that the commission, except as modified by or pursuant to this
4-9 resolution, have all other powers and duties provided to special
4-10 committees by Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government Code, and the
4-11 Senate and House Rules of Procedure; and, be it further
4-12 RESOLVED, That the commission be authorized to request the
4-13 assistance, where needed in the discharge of its duties, of all
4-14 state agencies, departments, and offices and of all institutions of
4-15 higher education in the state and that it be the duty of such
4-16 agencies, departments, offices, and institutions of higher
4-17 education to assist the commission when requested to do so. The
4-18 commission shall have the power to inspect the records, documents
4-19 and files of all agencies, departments, and offices of the state
4-20 and all institutions of higher education to the extent necessary to
4-21 the discharge of its duties within the area of its jurisdiction;
4-22 and, be it further
4-23 RESOLVED, That the commission members and advisory committee
4-24 members be reimbursed from funds made available to the commission
4-25 for their necessary expenses incurred in carrying out the
4-26 provisions of this resolution in the same manner as is provided by
5-1 law for members of boards of state agencies and that the operating
5-2 expenses of the commission be paid from funds of the senate, the
5-3 house of representatives, the Texas Legislative Council, and other
5-4 participating agencies and institutions of higher education; and,
5-5 be it further
5-6 RESOLVED, That the commission be entitled to accept gifts,
5-7 grants, and donations, subject to such limitations or conditions as
5-8 may be provided by law; and, be it further
5-9 RESOLVED, That the commission make a complete report,
5-10 including findings, recommendations, and drafts of any legislation
5-11 deemed necessary, to the legislature no later than November 1,
5-12 2000. Copies of the reports shall be filed in the Legislative
5-13 Reference Library, with the Texas Legislative Council, with the
5-14 secretary of the senate, with the chief clerk of the house of
5-15 representatives, and with the office of the governor.