By:  Ogden                                                        S.B. No. 503

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the provision of certain higher education information to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and to the public. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.968 to read as follows: Sec. 51.968. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION REGARDING STUDENT ENROLLMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS. (a) In this section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. (b) Each institution of higher education shall provide to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and post on the institution's Internet website in a manner accessible to the public the following information: (1) a description of any departments, schools, or certificate or degree programs of the institution that have a statewide or national reputation for excellence; (2) rates of tuition and fees for resident and nonresident students; (3) student retention and graduation rates; and (4) statistics regarding job placement rates for students awarded certificates or degrees by the institution. (c) The coordinating board by rule shall establish standards and adopt formats for the information provided and posted under Subsection (b). (d) As soon as practicable after a material change in the information required under Subsection (b), the institution of higher education shall provide to the coordinating board and post on the website the updated information. SECTION 2. (a) Section 1 of this Act applies beginning with the 2004 spring semester. (b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt rules regarding standards and formats for the information described by Subsection (b), Section 51.968, Education Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after this Act takes effect. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003.