BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 934
79R17712 KSD-D By: Wentworth et al.
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Each state-supported university in Texas has a board of regents consisting of nine members appointed by the governor. Currently, 39 states have a student representative on the board of regents of one or more state-supported institutions of higher education. C.S.S.B. 934 requires that one of the nine regents be a currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student. The term for the voting student member would be one year. The student regent would be nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate, just as the other eight regents are.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 51.531(1), Education Code, to define "medical and dental unit."
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter G, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Sections 51.355, 51.356, and 51.357, as follows:
Sec. 51.355. NONVOTING STUDENT REGENT; UNIVERSITY SYSTEM BOARD OF REGENTS. (a) Defines "student government."
(b) Requires the chancellor of each university system to develop a uniform application form to be used by each general academic teaching institution and medical and dental unit (unit) in the university system to solicit applicants for the position of student regent.
(c) Requires, except as provided by Subsection (f), not later than September 1 of each year, the student government of each general academic teaching institution and unit in a university system to solicit applicants for the position of student regent. Requires the student government not later than November 1, and from among the applications received by the student government, to select five applicants as the student government's recommendations for the student regent position and to send the applications of those applicants, with the name of each applicant and the name of the institution or unit in which the applicant is enrolled removed, to the chancellor of the university system. Requires, from among those applicants, the chancellor to select two or more applicants as the university system's recommendations for the position of student regent and to send the applications of those applicants to the governor not later than December 1. Authorizes the governor to request to review all applications for the position of student regent received by the student governments and to review information required to be removed from an application by a student government under this subsection. Requires the governor, on February 1 or as soon thereafter as practicable, to appoint one of the applicants to serve as the student regent on the university system's board of regents to a one-year term expiring on the next February 1. Provides that the governor is not required to appoint an applicant recommended by the chancellor.
(d) Requires a student regent to be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in a general academic teaching institution or unit at the time of appointment and throughout the student regent's term. Provides that for the purposes of this subsection, a person is considered to be enrolled in an institution for a summer term if they meet certain requirements pertaining to enrollment.
(e) Provides that a student regent is not a member of the board of regents of the system for which the student regent is appointed. Provides that a student regent for a university system has the same powers and duties as the members of the board of regents of the system, with certain exceptions.
(f) Prohibits the student government of the institution or unit at which the student regent was enrolled at the time of the student regent's selection from soliciting applicants for the position of student regent student regent for the next regular term of the position.
(g) Requires a vacancy in the position of student regent to be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the governor in consultation with the chancellor of the university system.
Sec. 51.356. NONVOTING STUDENT REGENT; INSTITUTION BOARD OF REGENTS. (a) Provides that this section applies only to an institution that is not a part of a university system.
(b) Defines "student government."
(c) Requires the president of a general academic teaching institution to develop a uniform application form to be used to solicit applicants for the position of student regent student regent.
(d) Requires, not later than September 1 of each year, the student government of each general academic teaching institution to solicit applicant for the position of student regent. Requires the student government, not later than November 1 and from among the applications received by the student government, to select five applicants as the student government's recommendations for the student regent position and to send the applications of those applicants, with the name of each applicant and the name of the institution in which the applicant is enrolled removed, to the president of the institution. Requires, from among those applicants, the president to select two or more applicants as the institution's recommendations for the position of student regent and to send the applications of those applicants to the governor not later than December 1. Authorizes the governor to request to review all applications for the position of student regent received by the student government and to review information required to be removed from an application by a student government under this subsection. Requires the governor, on February 1 or as soon thereafter as practicable, to appoint one of the applicants to serve as the student regent on the institution's board of regents to a one-year term expiring on the next February 1. Provides that the governor is not required to appoint an applicant recommended by the president.
(e) Requires a student regent to be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in a general academic teaching institution at the time of appointment and throughout the student regent's term of office. Provides that for the purposes of this subsection, a person is considered to be enrolled in an institution for a summer term if they meet certain requirements pertaining to enrollment.
(f) Provides that a student regent is not a member of the board of regents of the system for which the student regent is appointed. Provides that a student regent for a university system has the same powers and duties as the members of the board of regents of the system, with certain exceptions.
(g) Requires a vacancy in the position of student regent to be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the governor in consultation with the president of the institution.
SECTION 3. Provides that the initial term of a student regent student regent selected for a state university system under Section 51.355, Education Code, as added by this Act, or for a state university under Section 51.356, Education Code, as added by this Act, expires February 1, 2007. Requires the appropriate student governments, the chancellor of each state university system, the president of each state university that is not a part of a university system, and the governor to take the actions required by Sections 51.355 and 51.356, Education Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after this Act takes effect to select a student regent for each state university or state university system for that initial term.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2005.