MINUTES

 

STANDING SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

1:00 p.m. or upon adjournment of the Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Standing Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education was held on Wednesday, June 25, 2008, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair Senator Kip Averitt Senator Dan Patrick Senator Royce West		Senator Tommy Williams

 

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Immediately upon the adjournment of the Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee, the chair called the meeting to order at 1:25 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

Senator Averitt moved that the minutes of the May 28, 2008, hearing be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. 

 

The chair explained in her opening remarks that the purpose of today's hearing is to discuss the fourth interim charge assigned to the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee.

 

Interim Charge 4 directs the subcommittee to "study the need for new higher education institutions and make recommendations for developing a long-term strategy for creating and supporting new institutions, especially additional flagship public research universities. Explore methods for determining where such universities should be located and ensuring that such universities admit a qualified and diverse student body. Consider the state's allocation of and need for resources for medical education, including graduate medical education, geographic distribution of those resources, and the value of associating a medical school with a top-tier academic campus."

 

The following witnesses gave an overview of Charge 4: Dr. Raymund Paredes, Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordination Board; Dr. David Gardner, Deputy Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and Stacey Silverman, Interim Director, Academic Research & Grant Programs, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

 

The following witnesses testified regarding new campuses: Rosemary Martínez, Vice President for Business Affairs, The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College, and Dr. Tony Zavaleta, Vice President for External Affairs, The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College.

 

The following witnesses testified regarding medical education: Dr. Kenneth Shine, Chancellor Ad Interim, The University of Texas System; Dr. Nancy W. Dickey, President, Texas A&M Health Science Center and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, Texas A&M University System and Chair, Governor's Health Care Policy Council; Dr. Marc Hahn, Dean, University of North Texas College of Medicine.

 

The following witness testified regarding the medical school/general academic institution collaboration: Dr. Brian Herman, Vice President for Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio/San Antonio Life Science Institute.

 

The chair opened the floor for public testimony. There being none, the chair closed public testimony.

 

There being no further business, at 4:20 p.m. the committee was recessed, subject to the call of the chair.

 

 

 

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Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

 

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Lauren Cook, Clerk