State Representative Donna Howard has been selected as the TACT Legislator of the Year!  Rep. Howard (D-Austin), who serves on the House Higher Education Committee, was selected for her focus on students during committee deliberations, her continuing support for the TEXAS Grant, and for favoring the use of higher education specialists in the design and testing of public education.  She also insists on maintaining the quality of education while others seem more interested in the quantity of students receiving degrees.

Yesterday marked the inaugural meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence, and Transparency.  The bipartisan committee is co-chaired by Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and Representative Dan Branch (R-Dallas).  Discussion focused on reducing the micro-management of state universities by Boards of Trustees. 

Former TACT President Forest G. Hill (1975-76) writes at length in Friday’s Austin American-Statesman about the negative impact of outside political interference on higher education.  Read his insight here as he compares the current climate to some dire times of the past.

After months of wondering whether our universities would remain safe havens or turn into versions of the Old West, the infamous concealed carry bill has died.  This is the second time the bill has been killed since its introduction in 2009. Read more on this subject here.

This is a big victory for college teachers everywhere.  Rest easy this summer, knowing this bill has been staved off for another session!