MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Thursday, August 19, 2010

9:00 a.m.

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 Senate Committee on Higher Education was held on Thursday, August 19, 2010, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair Senator Robert Duncan Senator Chris Harris		Senator Joan Huffman, Vice Chair Senator Brian Birdwell Senator Kirk Watson Senator Royce West

 

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A joint hearing of the Senate Higher Education Committee and the House Higher Education Committee was held. Senator Zaffirini and Representative Dan Branch shared presiding duties:

 

Senator Zaffirini called the Senate Higher Education Committee to order at 9:00 a.m., and the clerk called the role.

 

Representative Branch called the House Higher Education Committee to order at 9:00 a.m., and the clerk called the role.

 

Senator Zaffirini made opening remarks and explained that the purpose of the hearing was to address interim charge six and interim charge nine:

 

Interim Change Six: Review the structure and operation of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Evaluate the board's data collection systems, including costs to higher education institutions, and make recommendations for improvements. Include an assessment of higher education reporting requirements and make recommendations to eliminate duplicate requirements and streamline reporting.

 

The following invited witnesses testified regarding the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB):

 

Panel 1.     Provide an overview of the structure and functions of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

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

b.      Aims McGuinness, PhD, Senior Associate, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems

c.       Jennifer Splansky, Senior Consultant, FSG Social Impact Advisors

d.      Ken Levine, Interim Director, Sunset Commission

e.       Heather Morris, former Student Board Member, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Panel 2.     Review the structure and operation of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

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

b.      Arturo Alonzo, EdD, Deputy Commissioner for Business and Finance, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

c.       Michael McKinney, MD, Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System and Chair of Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors

d.      Stephen Kinslow, PhD, At-Large Member, Texas Association of Community Colleges and President, Austin Community College

Panel 3.     Evaluate the board’s data collection systems, including, costs to higher educationaI                         institutions, and make recommendations for improvements.

a.       Dan Weaver, Assistant Commissioner of Business and Support Services, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

b.      Susan Brown, Assistant Commissioner, Planning and Accountability, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

c.       Fred Friedrich, Associate Vice President and Controller, University of Texas at Austin

Panel 4.     Include an assessment of higher education reporting requirements and make                                   recommendations to eliminate duplicate requirements and streamline reporting

a.       Susan Brown, Assistant Commissioner, Planning and Accountability, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

b.      James Dilling, Higher Education Analyst, Legislative Budget Board

At 1:42 p.m., Senator Zaffirini announced that the Senate Higher Education Committee would recess the joint hearing without a break and reconvene immediately to address Interim Charge Nine.

 

At 1:42 p.m., Representative Branch announced that the House Higher Education Committee would recess the joint hearing without a break and reconvene immediately to address Interim Charge Nine.

Interim Charge Nine: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Higher Education, 81st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance and/or complete implementation. Specifically, focus the following, as well as tuition legislation:

 

·         HB 51 relating to emerging research Tier 1 universities;

·         SB 175 relating to top ten percent.

 

The following invited witnesses testified regarding legislation from the 81^st Legislature:

 

Panel 1.     Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate committee on Higher                                                                                  Education 81st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for                          any legislation needed to improve, enhance and/or complete implementation. Specifically,                    focus the following, HB 51, relating to emerging research Tier 1 universities;

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

b.      Woody Hunt, Chair, Governor's Business Council

Panel 2.     Continuing, HB 51, relating to emerging research Tier 1 universities;

a.       Guy Bailey, PhD, President, Texas Tech University

b.      Renu Khator, PhD, Chancellor and President, The University of Houston

c.       Veldon Lane Rawlins, PhD , President, The University of North Texas

d.      James Spaniolo, JD, President, The University of Texas at Arlington

e.       David Daniel, PhD, President, The University of Texas at Dallas

f.       Diana Natalicio, PhD, President, The University of Texas at El Paso

g.      Ricardo Romo, PhD, President, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Panel 3.     Also including, SB 175, relating to top ten percent;

a.       Bill Powers, JD, President, The University of Texas at Austin

b.      Susan Brown, Assistant Commissioner, Planning and Accountability, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Panel 4.     as well as on tuition legislation:

a.       Dan Weaver, Assistant Commissioner of Business and Support Services, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

b.      Susan Sherman, Analyst, Legislative Budget Board

c.       Christopher Covo, Student Regent, The Texas State University System

The following witness provided oral public testimony:

a.       Robert J. Pohl

b.      Zenobia C. Joseph

There being no further business, at 5:07 p.m. Senator Zaffirini announced that the Senate Higher Education Committee would stand in recess, subject to the call of the chair.

There being no further business, at 5:07 p.m. Representative Branch announced that the House Higher Education 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