MINUTES

 

SENATE FINANCE HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

9 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

*****

 

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair Senator Robert Duncan Senator Royce West   OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS PRESENT: Senator Kip Averitt Representative Dan Branch		Senator Steve Ogden Senator Florence Shapiro

 

*****

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 9 a.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The roll was called.

 

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

 

Interim charge #3 directed the subcommittee to "study the effects continued tuition deregulation will have on college enrollment and accessibility."

 

The following witnesses testified regarding interim charge #3:  H. Scott Caven, Jr., Chair, The University of Texas System Board of Regents;  Bill Jones, Chair, Texas A&M University System Board of Regents;  and W. Wilson Sr., Chair, University of Houston System Board of Regents.

 

A quorum was established at 9:32 a.m.

 

Senator West moved that the minutes of the March 24, 2008, and April 23, 2008, hearings be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Testimony on interim charge #3 resumed, and the following witnesses testified:  F. Scott Dueser, Chair, Texas Tech University System Board of Regents; Dr. Carol Gunn, Vice Chair, Midwestern Board of Regents; Gayle W. Strange, Chair, The University of North Texas System Board of Regents; and Joe Max Green, Chair, Stephen F. Austin Board of Regents.

 

At 11:24 a.m. Senator West assumed the chair.

 

At 11:26 a.m. Senator Zaffirini resumed the chair.

 

Testimony continued with the following witnesses:  Glenn O. Lewis, Chair, Texas Southern University Board of Regents; Bernie C. Francis, Chair, Texas State University System Board of Regents; Charles Matthews, Chancellor, Texas State University System;  Dr. Mike McKinney, Chancellor, Texas A&M University System; Susan Brown, Assistant Commissioner, Planning and Accountability, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and Dr. Raymund Paredes, Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

 

At 12:38 p.m. Senator West assumed the chair.

 

At 12:41 p.m. Senator Zaffirini resumed the chair.

 

Interim charge #2 directed the subcommittee to "review state student financial aid programs (TEXAS Grants, B-on-Time) and provide assessment of the programs' effectiveness and future funding needs."  

 

Dr. Raymund Paredes, Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board testified regarding interim charge #2.

 

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

 

There being no further business, at 1:40 p.m. the committee was recessed, subject to the call of the chair.

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

 

_____________________________

Amy Jeter, Clerk