MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON SUBCOMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Monday, November 11, 2024

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

*****

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Subcommittee on Higher Education was held on Monday, November 11, 2024, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brandon Creighton, Chair	Senator Drew Springer
Senator Mayes Middleton, Vice Chair
Senator Phil King
Senator Royce West

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:12 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out the following interim charge:

Improving K12-College Pathways: Review the availability of Advanced Placement and dual credit course offerings in high schools and examine the transfer requirements required for students to receive higher education course credit. Identify the current challenges to streamlining the transfer process, including adequate counseling for high school students. Make recommendations to ensure students receive credit for successful completion of these courses.

Witnesses providing invited testimony are shown on the attached list.

The chair laid out the following interim charges:

Higher Education - “Faculty Senates”: Review and analyze the structures and governance in higher education, focusing on the role of “faculty senates,” and like groups, in representing faculty interests to higher education institution administrations. Make recommendations to establish guidelines for the role and representation of faculty by “faculty senates,” and like groups, at higher education institutions in Texas.

Stopping DEI to Strengthen the Texas Workforce: Examine programs and certificates at higher education institutions that maintain discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Expose how these programs and their curriculum are damaging and not aligned with state workforce demands. Make recommendations for any needed reforms to ensure universities are appropriately educating students to meet workforce needs.

Witnesses providing invited testimony are shown on the attached list.

Witnesses providing public testimony are shown on the attached list.

There being no further business, at 3:45 PM Senator Creighton moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Brandon Creighton, Chair

__________________________________________

Abby Johnston, Clerk