MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

8:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Higher Education Committee was held on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

Senator Jeff Wentworth

Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Robert Duncan

 

 

Senator Joan Huffman

 

 

Senator Kirk Watson

 

 

Senator Royce West

 

 

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The Chair made opening remarks and noted that today's hearing was an organizational meeting to define priority issues and to hear an overview of the current state of Texas higher education. She presented Senator Brain Birdwell with a gavel and sound block, commemorating his appointment as Vice Chair of the committee.

 

After recognizing Vice Chair Birdwell, the Chair invited committee members to provide opening remarks and introduce their respective Higher Education Policy Analyst. Accordingly, Senator West introduced LaJuana Barton; Senator Watson, Edna Butts; Senator Huffman, Johanna Sheffield; Senator Duncan, Porter Wilson and Meagan Scott; and Senator Birdwell, Liz Young.

 

The Chair introduced the Senate Higher Education Committee staff for the 82nd Legislative Session, namely, Ray Martinez, Committee Director, General Counsel, and Chief of Staff; Mark Kavanaugh, Policy Analyst; and Gonzalo Serrano, Committee Clerk.

 

After the Chair laid out the proposed committee rules for consideration, Senator Birdwell moved their adoption. There being no objection, the motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The following invited witnesses testified regarding the current state of Texas higher education:

 

·         Dr. Raymund Paredes, Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

·         Fred W. Heldenfels, IV, Chair, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

 

There being no further business, at 9:17 a.m., Senator Birdwell moved that the Senate Higher Education Committee stand in recess, subject to the call of the Chair. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

 

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Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

 

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Gonzalo Serrano, Clerk