BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 296

                                                                                                                                           By: Madla

                                                                                                                                            Education

                                                                                                                                            7/26/2005

                                                                                                                                              Enrolled

 

 

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Only in existence for three years, Texas A&M--Kingsville System Center--San Antonio, has undergone a dramatic increase in student enrollment which has forced the system center to utilize eight portable buildings as well as fully maximize the existing classroom space.  Although S.B. 800, 78th Regular Session, 2003, lowered from 3,500 students to 2,500 students the enrollment threshold required for the center to transform into a fully functional, stand-alone institution, the dilemma now is that, with limited space and students forced to attend classes in portable buildings, the campus is not able to expand to meet that requirement without additional funding for additional classrooms and faculty.  Money would be better spent securing the institution's ultimate goal as a fully functional, four-year, stand-alone institution which could be accomplished more expeditiously if the threshold is lowered to 1,000 full-time equivalents in any one semester as certified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.  At that time, the Texas A&M University--Kingsville System Center--San Antonio will be renamed Texas A&M University--San Antonio. 

 

S.B. 296, contingent upon the passage of tuition revenue bonds, reduces from 2,500 to 1,000 students the enrollment threshold required for Texas A&M University--Kingsville System Center--San Antonio to become Texas A&M University--San Antonio.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 87.841, Education Code, by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (e), as follows:

 

(d)  Prohibits Texas A&M University--San Antonio, notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, from operating as a general academic teaching institution until the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board certifies that enrollment at the Texas A&M University--Kingsville System Center--San Antonio has reached an enrollment equivalent of 1,000 full-time students for one semester if the legislature authorizes certain revenue bonds and the bonds are issued for that purpose.  Specifies that the alternative preexisting enrollment equivalent of 2,500 full-time students for one semester is only applicable if the aforementioned conditions are not satisfied.

 

(e)  Provides that notwithstanding any other law, Texas A&M University--San Antonio is not eligible to receive the small institution supplement under the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's General Academic Instruction and Operations Formula during the state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2005.  Provides that this subsection expires September 1, 2007.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.