80R2889 JRJ-D

By: Shapiro S.B. No. 238

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to authorizing certain community colleges to offer a baccalaureate degree program in interior design.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 130.0012(a), (b), and (d), Education Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall establish a pilot project to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of authorizing public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs in the fields described by Subsection (b) [of applied science and applied technology]. Participation in the pilot project does not otherwise alter the role and mission of a public junior college.

(b) The coordinating board shall operate the pilot project at:

(1) three public junior colleges, as determined by the coordinating board, to offer baccalaureate degree programs in the fields of applied science and applied technology; and

(2) one public junior college, with an established accredited interior design program that includes an advanced technical certificate program, to offer a baccalaureate degree program in the field of interior design.

(d) A public junior college participating in the pilot project that offers a baccalaureate degree program in the fields of applied science and applied technology may not offer more than five baccalaureate degree programs under the project at any time. The degree programs are subject to the continuing approval of the coordinating board. In determining what baccalaureate degree programs are to be offered, the junior college and the coordinating board shall consider:

(1) the need for the degree programs in the region served by the junior college;

(2) how those degree programs would complement the other programs and course offerings of the junior college;

(3) whether those degree programs would unnecessarily duplicate the degree programs offered by other institutions of higher education; and

(4) the ability of the junior college to support the program and the adequacy of the junior college's facilities, faculty, administration, libraries, and other resources.

SECTION 2. 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, 2007.