Interim Charge #1:
Evaluate the cost and feasibility of requiring students who attend institutions of higher education to be covered by a health benefit plan. Evaluate whether institutions should have the authority to offer tuition waivers or insurance coverage to graduate students and fellows.

Interim Charge #4:
Research alternative methodologies for funding developmental education, and evaluate whether or not appropriating a portion of these funds directly to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board could help improve developmental education results.

Interim Charge #5:
Examine state and local policies that relate to the marketing and sale of college textbooks.

May 6, 2008, 9:30 am

Interim Charge #2:
Study and evaluate strategies for improving student participation and success, particularly in the critical fields identified in Closing the Gaps, through student financial aid or incentive funding for higher education institutions.

Interim Charge #7:
Examine the strategies for improving state financial aid programs. Evaluate the design and administration of state financial aid programs in terms of operational efficiency and effectiveness in advancing state goals for student participation and success.

Interim Charge #6:
Study and recommend policy approaches or structures to ensure that the establishment or expansion of higher education programs, facilities, and institutions are aligned with the educational goals and economic needs of the state.


Select Committee on Higher & Public Education Funding

February 26th Hearing – the committee heard testimony regarding higher education funding, formulas, and student financial aid. Appearing on behalf of community college funding was Wright Lassiter of the Dallas County Community College District, Don Voelter of Blinn College, and Rey Garcia of TACC. The panel provided and overview of community college funding and the challenges faced by institutions given declining state resources. The committee heard from other major sectors of higher education regarding funding including Bill Segura of the TSTC System, Carol McDonald of ICUT, Mark Yudof of the UT System, Mike McKinney of the A&M System. The committee took testimony regarding the challenges of student financial aid. Appearing on the student financial aid panel was Terry Bazan of Austin Community College - she stressed the need for more flexibility and funding for community college students.

Upcoming Hearings (Tentative):

May 5th, Dallas: Health Related Education Issues

May 9th, Harlingen: Educational Issues in the Rio Grande Valley

May 13th, San Antonio: Workforce Education Issues

May 16th, Houston: Educational Issues in Urban Areas


SENATE

Education Committee: Subcommittee on Higher Education & Finance Committee: Subcommittee on Higher Education Finance

March 24th Joint Hearing –members of the joint hearing took invited testimony focused on higher education funding. Providing a broad perspective on higher education funding was Commissioner Paredes (assisted by Susan Brown) and former Deputy Comptroller Billy Hamilton. Commissioner Paredes presented his draft formula recommendation, including the provision to move from funding “attempted” to “completed” hours. The committee heard from Greg Williams of Odessa College who serves as the chair of the Community and Technical College Formula Advisory Committee. Mimi Valek and Rey Garcia testified on community college funding and the CTC formula. The committee also heard from a panel regarding the possibility of a credit crunch in the student loan arena.


HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD

Board

April 24th Meeting – the Commissioner will present his formula recommendations to the Board.

Financial Aid Restructuring Feasibility Committee

February 25th Meeting – committee heard from subcommittees on the issues and challenges in student aid. Common themes were lack of consistent funding and a unanimous sentiment against centralizing financial aid, including moving TPEG funding from institutions to the Coordinating Board.

Upcoming meeting:

April 3rd – committee expects to hear draft recommendations from consulting firm on possible restructuring of aid programs. Report is due to the Coordinating Board by April 24th meeting.


INCENTIVE FUNDING TASKFORCE

March 4th Meeting – the taskforce held its initial organizational meeting in Austin. Community Colleges are represented on the Taskforce by Roberto Zárate, Chair of the Alamo Community College Board of Trustees. Invited testimony from national researchers included David Longanecker from th e Western Interstate Commission on higher education. Dr. Longanecker provided an overview of efforts in other states at incentive funding. Governor’s staff provided a brief overview of the Governor’s incentive funding proposal from the last legislative session. The taskforce also heard from university presidents and chancellors.

March 26th Meeting –testifying on behalf of community colleges were Bill Holda of Kilgore College, Richard Rhodes of El Paso Community College, and Wright Lassiter of the Dallas County Community College District. The Taskforce also heard from coordinating board staff regarding potential models of incentive funding and scheduled the next meeting for April 16th. The groups recommendations are due by July of this year.