MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Thursday, June 24, 2010

9:00 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Higher Education was held on Thursday, June 24, 2010, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair Senator Dan Patrick, Vice Chair Senator Robert Duncan Senator Royce West

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

Senator Patrick moved that the minutes of the May 24, 2010, hearing be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. 

 

The Chair explained that the purpose of the hearing was to address interim charge two and interim charge three.

 

Interim Charge Two: Review community college service areas to ensure that student needs are being met in the most effective and efficient manner. Study and make recommendations to improve the productivity and cost-effectiveness of the community college/university model for producing baccalaureate degrees, including identifying proven best practices; analyzing success rates of similar cohorts of students by comparing those who begin at community colleges with those who begin at four-year institutions; and analyzing transfer issues including dual admissions programs and academic advising services to facilitate a seamless transfer from two-year to four-year institutions. Include an assessment of the role of technical and vocational training programs and their impact on jobs.

 

The following invited witnesses testified regarding community colleges:

 

Panel 1. Provide an overview of the structure of community colleges.

a.       Raymund Paredes, PhD, Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)

b.      Rey Garcia, PhD, President, Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC)

c.       Martha Ellis, PhD, Associate Vice Chancellor Community College Partnerships, Office of Academic Affairs, The University of Texas System

 

Panel 2. Review community college service areas to ensure that student needs are bring met in the most effective and efficient manner.

 

a.       Bill Holda, PhD, President, Kilgore College

b.      Stephen Kinslow, PhD, President, Austin Community College

c.       Glenda Barron, PhD, President, Temple College

 

Panel 3. Study and make recommendations to improve the productivity and cost-effectiveness of the community college/university model for producing baccalaureate degrees, including, identifying proven best practices;

 

a.       MacGregor Stephenson, PhD, Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Research, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)

b.      James Nelson, PhD, Dean of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Tyler

c.       Donetta Goodall, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Success, Lone Star College System

d.      David Fink, Student, Texas State University San Marcos (former student of San Antonio College)

 

Panel 4. Also including, analyzing success rates of similar cohorts of students by comparing those who begin at community colleges with those who begin at four-year institutions; and

 

a.       David Gardner, PhD, Deputy Commissioner for Academic Planning and Policy, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)

b.      Richard Jarvis, PhD, Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs, The University of Texas at El Paso

c.       Amanda Phillips, Graduate of Lee College and University of Houston Clear Lake

 

Panel 5. Also including, analyzing transfer issues including dual admissions programs and academic advising services

 

a.       Daniel Holt, PhD, President, Blinn College

b.      David Payne, PhD, Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Sam Houston State University

c.       Joel Michaelis, EdD, President, Texas Community College Instructional Administrators (TCCIA)

 

Panel 6. Also including, to facilitate a seamless transfer from two-year to four-year institutions.

 

a.       Bonita Jacobs, PhD, Executive Director,  National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students, University of North Texas

b.      Chandra Taylor Smith, PhD , Vice President of Research & Director, Pell Institute

c.       Juan Maldonado, PhD, President, Laredo Community College

d.      Valerie Osland Paton, PhD , Vice Provost for Planning and Assessment, Texas Tech University

 

Panel 7. Include an assessment of the role of technical and vocational training programs and their impact on jobs.

 

a.       Martin Hubert, Deputy Comptroller, Texas Comptroller’s Office

b.      Raymund Paredes, PhD, Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)

c.       Michael Bettersworth, Associate Vice Chancellor, Texas State Technical College

d.      Shirley Reed, EdD, President, South Texas College

 

Interim Charge Three: Study and make recommendations regarding improving developmental education, which costs the state over $100 million per year, with a focus on enhancing student success in these courses.

 

The following invited witnesses testified regarding developmental education:

 

Panel 1. Provide an overview of developmental education courses and programs across Texas.

 

a.       Raymund Paredes, PhD, Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)

b.      Richard Rhodes, PhD, Chair, Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC)

c.       Michael Collins, Program Director, Jobs for the Future (JFF)

 

Panel 2. Study and make recommendations regarding improving developmental education, which costs the state over $100 million per year,

 

a.       Judy Johnson, Chair, Access Division, Amarillo College

b.      Luzelma Canales, Interim Associate Dean of Community Engagement & Workforce Development, South Texas College

c.       Bryan Stewart, PhD, Vice President for Teaching & Learning, Tarrant County Community College

 

Panel 3. with a focus on enhancing student success in these courses.

 

a.       Charles Cook, EdD, Vice Chancellor of Instruction, Houston Community Colleges

b.      Fred Newbury, EdD, President, Texas Community College Teachers Association

c.       Miles McCall, PhD, President, Lon Morris College

d.      Nellie Boyd, EdD, Executive Director of Student Success Services, Texas Southern University

 

The following witness provided oral public testimony regarding community colleges:

 

a.       Ron Patterson, Managing Director, BFL Associates

 

The following witnesses provided written public testimony regarding community colleges:

 

a.       Patty Quinzi, Legislative Counsel, Texas American Federation of Teachers

 

The following witnesses registered but did not testify:

 

a.       Kevin Deiters, Director, Educational Opportunities and Investments Division, Texas CPA

b.      Claude Superville, PhD, Assistant Provost, Texas Southern University

c.       Betty B. Cox, EdD, Director, Summer Academy, Texas Southern University

 

There being no further business, at 3:44 p.m. the Chair announced that the Committee would stand in recess, subject to the call of the Chair.

                                         

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Senator Judith Zaffirini , Chair

 

 

 

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Gonzalo Serrano, Clerk