BILL ANALYSIS
By: Rose
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The passage of tuition deregulation in 2003, which granted tuition-setting powers to the boards of regents of public universities, made it important to provide student representation on those boards last session. Student regents offer the students' perspective on the boards of regents and ensure that the boards act fairly and in the best interest of the students.
While the induction of these student regents was very successful and they have contributed greatly to the boards on which they serve, there were a number of clarifying changes that needed to be made to the statute that governs student regents, including the time frame in which they are selected to make it more in line with the academic year.
As proposed, HB 3924 makes these clarifying changes.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1: Section 51.355 of the Education Code, as added by Chapters 292 and 1181, Acts of the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, is amended by adding additional language, eliminating existing language and making conforming changes. Changes from September 1 to November 1, the date by which the student government of each general academic teaching institution and medical and dental unit is required to solicit applicants for appointment to the next regular term of the position of student regent. Changes from November 1 to January 1, the date by which the student government is required to select five applicants from those received as its recommendations for student regent and send those applications to the chancellor of the university system. Changes from December 1 to February 1, the date by which the chancellor is required to select two or more applicants as the university system's recommendations for student regent and send those applications to the governor.
Authorizes the governor to request that an applicant submit additional information to the governor. Changes from February 1 to June 1, the date by which the governor is required to appoint one of the applicants to serve as the student regent for the system for a one-year term expiring on the next May 31, changed from February 1. Establishes that to be eligible for appointment as student regent, a person must be enrolled as an undergraduate and be in good academic standing as determined by the institution and must remain enrolled in good academic standing throughout the person's term.
Requires that throughout a student regent's term, the student must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average and make satisfactory academic progress, as determined by the president of the institution at which the student is enrolled toward a degree. The bill authorizes the president of the institution to grant a student regent an exemption from these requirements for good cause. The bill requires the president to notify the governor if the president determines that the student regent has failed to maintain the necessary qualifications. Provides that upon receiving notice that a student regent has failed to maintain the necessary qualifications, the bill requires the governor to declare the position of student regent vacant and fill the vacancy as soon as practicable in the manner prescribed. Clarifies that a student regent serves without compensation but is entitled to be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in attending board meetings, subject to the approval of the chairman of the board of regents.
SECTION 2: Section 51.356 of the Education Code is amended by adding additional language, eliminating existing language and making conforming changes. Changes from September 1 to November 1, the date by which the student government of each general academic teaching institution is required to solicit applicants for appointment to the next regular term of the position of student regent. Changes from November 1 to January 1, the date by which the student government is required to select five applicants from those received as its recommendations for student regent and send those applications to the president of the institution. Changes from December 1 to February 1, the date by which the president is required to select two or more applicants as the university's recommendations for student regent and send those applications to the governor.
Authorizes the governor to request that an applicant submit additional information to the governor. Changes from February 1 to June 1, the date by which the governor is required to appoint one of the applicants to serve as the student regent for the institution for a one-year term expiring on the next May 31, changed from February 1. Establishes that to be eligible for appointment as student regent, a person must be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate and be in good academic standing as determined by the institution and must remain enrolled in good academic standing throughout the person's term.
Requires that throughout a student regent's term, the student must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average and make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree as determined by the president of the institution at which the student is enrolled. The bill authorizes the president of the institution to grant a student regent an exemption from these requirements for good cause. The bill requires the president to notify the governor if the president determines that the student regent has failed to maintain the necessary qualifications. Provides that upon receiving notice that a student regent has failed to maintain the necessary qualifications, the bill requires the governor to declare the position of student regent vacant and fill the vacancy as soon as practicable in the manner prescribed. Clarifies that a student regent serves without compensation but is entitled to be reimbursed for the actual expenses incurred in attending board meetings, subject to the approval of the chairman of the board of regents.
SECTION 3: Changes in law made by this Act apply to a student regent on the board of regents of a state university system or state university serving on or appointed after the effective date.
SECTION 4: The term of a student regent on the board of regents of a state university system or state university that under the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act was to expire February 1, 2008, is extended to expire on May 31, 2008.
SECTION 5: Effective date.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.