By: McClendon H.B. No. 91
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the automatic admission of certain undergraduate
transfer students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 51.801, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 51.801. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter, "general
academic teaching institution," "governing board," "medical and
dental unit," "public junior college," "public technical
institute," and "university system" have the meanings assigned by
Section 61.003.
SECTION 2. Subchapter U, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.8065 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.8065. AUTOMATIC ADMISSION: UNDERGRADUATE TRANSFER
STUDENTS. (a) Each general academic teaching institution shall
admit an applicant for admission to the institution as an
undergraduate transfer student if in the year preceding the
academic year for which the applicant is applying for admission
under this section the applicant:
(1) received a degree or certificate from a public
junior college or public technical institute in a program requiring
at least 30 semester credit hours, including the courses required
in the core curriculum established under Section 61.822; and
(2) completed the program with a cumulative grade
point average of at least a 3.0 on a four-point scale or the
equivalent.
(b) To qualify for admission under this section, an
applicant must submit an application before the expiration of any
application filing deadline established by the institution.
(c) After admitting an applicant under this section, the
institution may review the applicant's record and any other factor
the institution considers appropriate to determine whether the
applicant may require additional preparation for college-level
work or would benefit from inclusion in a retention program. The
institution may require a student so identified to enroll during
the summer immediately after the student is admitted under this
section to participate in appropriate enrichment courses and
orientation programs. This section does not prohibit a student who
is not determined to need additional preparation for college-level
work from enrolling, if the student chooses, during the summer
immediately after the student is admitted under this section.
(d) Admission to a specific institution is contingent upon
the institution having space available for admission of additional
students.
(e) An institution may have requirements for admission to a
particular program or school that exceed a 3.0 average. Admissions
to a particular program or school within an institution shall be
based on the requirements of the institution.
SECTION 3. (a) This Act takes effect immediately and
applies beginning with admissions for the 2004 fall semester.
(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and each
general academic teaching institution shall adopt rules or policies
relating to the admission of students under Section 51.8065,
Education Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1,
2003.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.