AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 1531 requires general academic teaching institutions to provide first-time entering undergraduate students, including transfer students, a statement that compares the average total academic costs of graduating in four, five, and six years. The bill also requires the institutions to provide an estimate of the average earnings lost by a recent graduate as a result of graduating after five or six years instead of four years. Finally, S.B. 1531 requires institutions to include steps students can take to graduate on time, including institutional offices they can contact for assistance.
The bill requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in consultation with general academic teaching institutions, to adopt rules for the administration of this legislation.
As proposed, S.B. 1531 amends current law relating to providing information to entering undergraduate students at general academic teaching institutions to promote timely graduation.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 (Section 51.9195, Education Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.9195, as follows:
Sec. 51.9195. INFORMATION FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS REGARDING BENEFITS OF TIMELY GRADUATION. (a) Provides that, in this section, "general academic teaching institution" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003 (Definitions).
(b) Requires each general academic teaching institution to provide to each first-time entering undergraduate student, including each undergraduate student who transfers to the institution, a statement that includes:
(1) a comparison of the average total academic costs paid by a full-time student who graduates from the institution in the following number of academic years: four years; five years; and six years; and
(2) an estimate of the average earnings lost by a recent graduate of the institution as a result of graduating after five or six years instead of four years.
(c) Requires a general academic teaching institution to include with the statement provided to a student under Subsection (b) a list of actions that the student can take to facilitate graduating from the institution in a timely manner and contact information for available academic, career, and other related support services at the institution to assist the student in that effort.
(d) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), in consultation with general academic teaching institutions, to adopt any rules THECB considers appropriate for the administration of this section.
SECTION 2. Provides that Section 51.9595, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with undergraduate students who initially enroll in a general academic teaching institution for the 2014 fall semester.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2013.