MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
9:00 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 Committee on Higher Education was held on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair |
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Senator Robert Duncan Senator Jeff Wentworth |
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Senator Joan Huffman |
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Senator Kirk Watson |
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Senator Royce West |
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OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT: Senator José Rodríguez |
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Senator Wendy Davis
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Senator Judith Zaffirini called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
The Chair recognized the clerk to call roll. The following business was transacted:
The Chair invited committee members to make opening remarks and welcomed Senator José Rodríguez to the hearing.
The Chair made opening remarks and explained that the purpose of the hearing was to address interim charges one, seven, and eight:
Interim Charge One: Study and make recommendations regarding more cost-effective funding of financial aid, including ways to restructure financial aid programs to incentivize student success, particularly among low-income students, and the efficacy of current exemptions and waivers offered to students at institutions of higher education, including in-state tuition for undocumented students. Examine student loan debt, state and federal loan forgiveness programs, and institutional default rates.
Interim Charge Seven: Consistent with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's legislative directive to work with the Texas State Technical College System (TSTC) and other appropriate state agencies to develop a returned value funding model for TSTC, examine the benefits and challenges such an approach will have on technical education in Texas.
Interim Charge Eight: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Higher Education, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following:
• SB 5, relating to the administration and business affairs of public institutions of higher education;
• SB 28, relating to eligibility for a TEXAS grant and to administration of the TEXAS grant program;
• HB 9, relating to student success-based funding;
• HB 33, relating to measures to increase the affordability of textbooks used for courses at public or private institutions of higher education;
• SB 1107, Relating to the vaccination against bacterial meningitis of entering students at public and private or independent institutions of higher education;
• HB 1000, relating to the distribution of money appropriated from the National Research University Fund.
The following invited witness testified regarding financial aid, Texas State Technical College System (TSTC), and legislation oversight:
a. Raymund Paredes, PhD, Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
There being a quorum present, at 10:11 a.m., Senator Birdwell moved that the minutes of the June 20, 2012, hearing be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.
The following invited witnesses testified regarding financial aid:
Panel 1: Study and make recommendations regarding more cost-effective funding of financial aid, including ways to restructure financial aid programs to incentivize student success, particularly among low-income students, and the efficacy of current exemptions and waivers offered to students at institutions of higher education, including in-state tuition for undocumented students.
a. Dan Weaver, Assistant Commissioner for Business and Support Services, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
b. Joseph Pettibon, Chair, Financial Aid Advisory Committee and Associate Vice President for Academic Services, Texas A&M University
c. Tom Melecki, PhD, Director of Student Financial Services, The University of Texas at Austin
d. David Ximenez, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services, Tarrant County College
Panel 2: Examine student loan debt, state and federal loan forgiveness programs, and institutional default rates.
a. Jeff Webster, Assistant Vice President, TG Research and Analytical Services, Texas Guaranteed Loan Corporation
b. Minita Ramirez, PhD, Vice President, Division of Student Success, Texas A&M International University
c. Chris Murr, PhD, Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Texas State University - San Marcos
The following invited witnesses testified regarding Texas State Technical College System (TSTC):
Panel 1: Consistent with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's legislative directive to work with the Texas State Technical College System (TSTC) and other appropriate state agencies to develop a returned value funding model for TSTC, examine the benefits and challenges such an approach will have on technical education in Texas.
a. Susan Brown, Assistant Commissioner, Planning and Accountability, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
b. Clay Cole, Director of Unemployment Insurance Support Services, Texas Workforce Commission
c. Mike Reeser, MBA, Chancellor, Texas State Technical College System
The following invited witnesses testified regarding legislation oversight:
Panel 1: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Higher Education, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following: SB 5, relating to the administration and business affairs of public institutions of higher education; SB 28, relating to eligibility for a TEXAS grant and to administration of the TEXAS grant program; HB 9, relating to student success-based funding; HB 33, relating to measures to increase the affordability of textbooks used for courses at public or private institutions of higher education; SB 1107, relating to the vaccination against bacterial meningitis of entering students at public and private or independent institutions of higher education; HB 1000, relating to the distribution of money appropriated from the National Research University Fund.
a. David Gardner, PhD, Deputy Commissioner, Academic Planning and Policy, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
b. Lee Jackson, MPA, Chancellor, The University of North Texas System
c. B.J. Crain, Chair, General Academic Formula Advisory Committee and Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Texas A&M University
d. Richard Carpenter, EdD, Chair-Elect, Texas Association of Community Colleges and Chancellor, Lonestar College System
e. Renu Khator, PhD, Chancellor, The University of Houston System
At 1:14 p.m. the Chair closed invited testimony and opened the floor for public testimony.
Names of witnesses who provided public testimony are shown on the attached list. The Chair closed public testimony at 1:51 p.m.
There being no further business, at 1:51 p.m., Senator Zaffirini announced that the Committee would stand recessed, subject to the call of the chair.
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Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair
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Isabel Casas, Assistant Clerk