Executive Director’s Report
by Chuck Hempstead

As the 78th Regular Legislature ends (notice the modifier in anticipation of one or more special sessions), Texas higher education will have less of a financial hit than some other public services, and will fare much better than we had feared at the beginning of the session. Nevertheless, Texas won’t “Close the Gaps” with reduced funding levels, and it will not be a pleasant two years for personnel. A more detailed analysis of the many measures affecting higher education will be available soon.

TACT’s primary priority, in addition to helping minimize budget cuts, was the passage of House Bill 294 by Representative Fred Brown. Pending the Governor’s signature, the new law will permit universities to supplement the state ORP contributions up to 8.5 percent. When fully implemented, this will both create equity among existing faculty and place Texas in a more competitive position with other states in recruiting new faculty.

It was a difficult session, and TACT will remain vigilant during the interim and special session for higher education issues - including a possible tweaking of the automatic admission for high school top 10 percent graduates.

Finally, as the TACT leadership changed at the June 7 Board Meeting, I reflect on successes and deepened relationships with several of those cycling off. Dr. B.J. Freeman was the optimist - always something positive to say and the good ideas to get there. Faye Thames, always special since she was president when I was hired here, was the realist - an excellent approach for her role as Legislative Chair.

And Dr. Larry King, who remains on the Board as Immediate Past President, was frequently the joking pessimist, if only to set goals we could surpass. President Larry’s legacy will live long: regional TACT meetings, this electronic bulletin, an email list to 22,000 faculty, his news conference at the Capitol demanding higher education funding, frequent lobbying trips to the Capitol, more frequent “First Alerts,” a new marketing program, and more.

I call him the pessimist jokingly, to complete my Three Little Pigs metaphor, but he built the house of bricks. He would think nothing of driving from Nacogdoches to Austin, lobby for three hours, and drive home at night - just to do what he could to benefit the profession. He challenged me, and occasionally I lived up to his expectations. TACT will fittingly express its appreciation for all his contributions at the Fall Conference on October 24 and 25 in Austin. Why don’t you plan now to attend and add your voice to the chorus of thanks for his selflessness?