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Texas Association of College Teachers
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2008 TACT First Alerts

          June 26, 2008- Senate Finance Discusses Systems Structure
          May 22, 2008- Education Reform Topic of Discussion Between Governor Perry and University Regents

          April 15, 2008- Coordinating Board Considers Significant Formula Funding Change

          March 24, 2008- Write to Thousands

          March 20, 2008- Ballot for 2008 TACT Officers

          March 13, 2008- Call for donations for 2009 legislative session          
          February 1, 2008- Senate Releases Interim Charges

           
 
January 24, 2008 - Higher Education Coordinating Board Accepts College Readiness Draft

200
7 TACT First Alerts

December 11, 2007- House Speaker Releases Interim Charges
November 8, 2007-Comment Period Open on College Readiness

October 30, 2007-Constitutional Amendment Election

October 25, 2007-Legislative Board to restore healthcare expenses

August 23, 2007-Representative Lois Kolkhorst named Legislator of Year
May 4, 2007- Appropriations Conference Committee Meeting
April 23, 2007- New Developments for Incentive Funding Bill
April 20, 2007-
The Cost of Education - TACT President Informs the Press
April 17, 2007- HB 3828: Incentive Funding for Universities
March 5, 2007- HB 894 Committee Hearing Requested - Your Response Needed
February 19, 2007- Legislative Visits Follow-up
February 7, 2007- Subcommittee Considers ORP Rate Increase
February 5, 2007- Faculty Salary Bill: HB 894

February 2, 2007- State of the State Address
January 31, 2007- Senator Watson Wants New Flagship

 


 

 

 

 

June 26, 2008 - Senate Finance Discusses Systems Structure

 

The Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee met yesterday to take testimony on its Interim Charge #1, which includes the structure of higher education.

Dr. Baker Pattillo, President of Stephen F. Austin State University, described how SFA was formerly in a system, but believes it operates better as an independent.

Senator Robert Duncan said it would be shortsighted for independants to thinbk they would never be asked to join a system for the economies of management, though Dr. Pattillo responded that they do benefit from efficiencies such as belonging to the A&M System purchasing group for energy.  Duncan said if independants were asked to join a system, he would envision an "open enrollment" or "courtship" period in which independants might consider competitive proposals, since the Senator's experience was that forcing folks to do something usually doesn't work.

For more on TACT's activities, see www.tact.org.


 

 

 

May 22, 2008 - Education Reform Topic of Discussion Between Governor Perry and University Regents

 

In an unprecedented move, Governor Rick Perry met with the regents of the major university systems on Wednesday in order to push higher education reform.  One of the major issues on the agenda was increasing the criteria for professors to gain tenure.  Former Congressman Dick Armey voiced his opinion toward university faculty, saying “I believe tenure actually diminishes academic freedom” and that faculty lounges are “one of the most brain-dead locations in the United States.”  TACT is following this situation and stands with our colleague Lynn Tatum, president of the Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors, who believes that universities should follow an educational model focused on producing “thinking, well-rounded, educated adults.”

 

For more information on this subject:

Perry Touts Proposals for Higher Education Reform
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/05/22/0522perryed.html

Dick Armey Soldiers On
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/highereducation/entries/2008/05/22/dick_armey_soldiers_on.html


 

April 15, 2008 - Coordinating Board Considering Significant Formula Funding Change

The Strategic Planning Committee of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board met today to consider formula funding recommendations to the full Board next week.  Though the calculations are complex, the policy differences were between the Commissioner's recommendation for calculating funding hours based on completed courses and the Formula Funding Committee, chaired by TACT member and Midwestern President Jesse Rogers, suggesting using hours attempted.  While the final recommendation was somewhat of a hybrid, the Commissioner’s concept of using outcome-based course completion carried the day.

Interesting data was presented that in 2003, the State paid for 40 percent of the cost of higher education, while by 2007 that percentage dwindled to 34.  Correspondingly, in 2003, students paid for 22 percent of the cost of education, and four years later it had risen to 27 percent.

 


 

March 24, 2008- Write to thousands!

The opportunity to be published is just at your finger tips.  If you have an issue you feel your professional peers need to be aware of, be it academic or legislative, we want to hear your voice!  Write your article and summit it to TACT.  Our next deadline is May 9, 2008.  After a review, your article could be published in our quarterly eBulletin.  Your experience is valued and appreciated. This would be an excellent opportunity to reach thousands of professors across the state. 

You can email your article to tact@bizaustin.rr.com

Or mail it to 5750 Balcones Dr. Suite 201

                    Austin, TX 78731

Your opinions and thoughts need to be expressed!

And college professors need an advocate, and that is TACT’s job.  Join TACT today and strengthen the concerns and issues relevant to your position.  Be aware of up to the minute legislation through our first alerts.


 

March 20, 2008- TACT Board elections

At its February 15 meeting, the TACT State Board endorsed the slate of officers recommended by the Nominating Committee as they are named below.  All offices are for two-year terms beginning June 1.  A write in opportunity is also available.  Please submit your ballot by return email, fax or mail to the State Office for tabulation by April 15.  Your identity will be known only to staff.

President-Elect

Gary Coulton, Texas A&M Univ.-Kingsville System Center

Write in:__________________________________

Director at Large

Mark Gaus, Sam Houston State University

Write in:_________________________________

Director at Large

Allen Martin, University of Texas-Tyler

Write in:_________________________________ 

Thank you for your participation.

Chuck Hempstead
Executive Director
Texas Association of College Teachers
5750 Balcones Drive, Ste 201
Austin, TX 78731
www.tact.org
tact@bizaustin.rr.com
512-873-7404
fax 512-873-7423  


 

March 13, 2008

TACT is expecting a significant session in 2009 including a reintroduction of Academic Bill of Rights, which TACT killed in the last session.  A further issue is College Readiness, which the Commissioner accepted, where the responsibility falls most heavily on faculty members teaching intro course. 

TACT’s main objective is to lobby on your behalf.
The Government Relations Fund (GRF) pays some expenses of the evermore frequent legislative visits to the Capitol.  To make your contribution and be an advocate for your profession please contact TACT at the Austin headquarters:
512-873-7404
or mail:
5750 Balcones Dr. Suite 201
Austin, Texas 78731
Thank you for your help at making this upcoming legislation session a success!


 

February 1, 2008-Lieutenant Governor releases Interim Charges

Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst has released the charges for the Senate Interim Committee, you can view the full list by clicking here.  The following issues are the most particular to TACT’s concerns.

Subcommittee on Higher Education
Examine different methodologies for assessing the quality of degree and certificate programs at higher education institutions and for measuring student learning outcomes.  Review current institutional performance standards and make recommendations that promote academic and financial accountability. Review the method for measuring graduation rates to determine whether alternative measures are more appropriately suited for institutions with a large percentage of non-traditional students.
Examine ways to assess and improve academic advising to help students succeed in higher education and complete their course of study and graduate in the minimum time required.

Finance
Subcommittee on Higher Education Finance:
Review and make recommendations regarding the structure and organization of higher education, focusing on funding of the current higher education system, including financing capital projects for general academic institutions and for health-related institutions and changes to funding flagship research universities such as The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M at College Station. Determine the adequacy of formula funding to support basic functions as well as supporting critical statewide needs and improvements on the various methods of funding research. Reviews should include institutional structures that maximize efficiencies and incentive structures that increase the number of graduates. A review of funding formulas should also include the application of proportionality of state contributions for higher education employee health benefits.
Review state student financial aid programs (TEXAS Grants, B-on-Time) and provide assessment of the programs' effectiveness and future funding needs.
Study the effects continued tuition deregulation will have on college enrollment and accessibility.

State Affairs
Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of phasing in a defined-contribution pension for future employees versus the existing defined-benefit pension plan. Study options for transition or implementation issues and how the phase-in could be structured. Evaluate the possibility of requiring the state employee contribution rate to meet the annually required contribution for the statewide retirement funds each biennium in order to prevent unfunded liabilities.


 

January 24, 2008

Higher Education Coordinating Board Accepts College Readiness Draft

The Coordinating Board accepted the college readiness draft today and is sending it to the State Board of Education.  For more information on the draft please click here 

A full conversation on this matter will occur at our annual spring joint conference with the Texas Council of Faculty Senates and the American Association of University Professors.  Dr. Selina Vasquez of Texas State University and co-chair of the Mathematical Vertical Team will be speaking on this issue along with Susan Brown, the Assistant Commissioner, Planning and Accountability Division, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Also during the conference, legislative appointments are being made for Friday morning.  Please let us know us know if you will join us and if you want to see any particular legislator.

 


 

December 11, 2007

   House Speaker Releases Interim Charges

Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick has released his charges for the House Interim Committees, you can see the full list by clicking here http://www.house.state.tx.us/welcome.php.  The following issues are of particular interest to TACT.

House Committee on Appropriations
1. As an oversight of all state agencies, assess all performance measures, operating budgets, budget transfers, and changes in full- time equivalents, major contracts, litigation, and debt financing, including assessing all rider provisions and evaluating budget structure effectiveness.

4. Study state employee compensation and benefit packages and recommend alternatives designed to attract and retain superior management personnel and other areas of potential professional shortages. Review executive director salaries, classification schedules, merit and bonus pay, pay ranges, and agency flexibility.

5. With regard to the state's health-related institutions, research deficiencies with disproportionate share and upper payment limit methodologies; research collaboration with general academic institutions and between health-related institutions; review funding streams for University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), focusing on the issue of the need for reimbursement by counties using UTMB for higher levels of indigent care; and study the methodology used to fund the state's two mission specific institutions.

16. Study the state's current and long-range need for physicians, dentists, nurses, allied health and long-term care professionals. Make recommendations regarding strategies related to both geographic distribution and barriers to recruitment of high-need professions, especially for primary care providers and long-term care professionals. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committees on Border and
International Affairs and Public Health)

House Committee on High Education
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.

3. Examine and evaluate institutional policies and programs designed to promote student participation and success, including outreach, admissions, and transfer policies, developmental education programs, and relevant student support programs.

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.

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.

House Committee on Public Education
4. Research and evaluate state-supported policies and programs designed to attract, train, and support effective teachers and instructional leaders, including programs designed to recruit and retain teachers in hard-to-staff schools.

House Committee on Pensions and Investments
1. Evaluate the possibility of requiring the state and employee contribution rate to meet the annually required contribution for the statewide retirement funds each biennium in order to prevent unfunded liabilities.


 

November 8, 2007

   Comment Period Open on College Readiness

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recently opened the public comment period on the draft College Readiness Standards.  CRS is arranged by Vertical Teams in language arts, math, science and social sciences that include faculty from public schools, colleges and universities.  The draft was presented at the October board meeting when it was accepted for public comment between October 26 and December 10, 2007.

We strongly encourage viewing and commenting on the draft as it will most likely set the bar on standards and expectations to assure high school graduates are ready for college work.  The comments will be reviewed by the Vertical Teams and a final version of the draft will be presented to the THECB and the Commissioner of Education in January 2008.

To review the 104 page draft, please click here.  To comment, please click here.


 

 

October 30, 2007

   Constitutional Amendment Election

Many interesting constitutional amendments on the November 6 ballot (early voting through Friday this week).

Though TACT does not have a position on the 16 propositions, the first two deal with higher education and deserve your attention.  The first one moves Angelo State University from the Texas State University System to the Texas Tech University System.  The second one provides $500 million in general obligation bonds for student financial aid loans - money which will find its way to the campus budgets.

Please vote.


 

October 25, 2007

   Legislative Board agrees to restore money to health care expenses

The Legislative Budget Board, a.k.a., Governor, Lt. Governor and House Speaker, have forged an agreement to restore more than $150 million - previously vetoed - to community colleges for health care expenses.  The debate during the last session, called proportionality, hinges on whether the state should pay faculty benefit expenses relative to the percent of salaries that are funded by non-state revenues.

To a lesser extent, the issue had the potential to spill over to four-year universities.

An additional agreement now permits community colleges to be eligible for the inaugural $100 million incentive fund, initially proposed by the Governor at $300 million for four-year institutions.

 



August 23, 2007 

   Representative Lois Kolkhorst named "Legislator of the Year"

State Representative Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) has been named by the TACT State Board as the organization's "Legislator of the Year" for her accomplishments and leadership during the 80th Legislative Session.

Rep. Kolkhorst chaired the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, as well as other legislative leadership roles such as membership on the recent House Select Committee on Higher Education.  Highlights of her work include creating the Texas Competitive Knowledge Fund, increasing university formula and Higher Education Group Insurance funding, better funding for nursing education, doubling the student Work Study Program, and increasing the Texas Grant scholarship program.  

"I am proud to have known Lois for years," said TACT President Debra Price.  "Sometimes we compliment legislators for having an open ear, but I compliment her for listening to our ideas and then pushing them through the political process.  She has a track record of accomplishing what she attempts for the benefit of the students, the faculty and all of the beneficiaries of our system of higher education."

TACT has invited Representative Kolkhorst to accept her honor in conjunction with providing the keynote address during the TACT Fall Conference October 19 and 20 in Austin. 

 



May 4, 2007 

   Appropriations Conference Committee Meeting

The final version of the state budget for the next two years is currently in the hands of five senators and five house members.

In addition to your own pet projects, TACT's message should be one of appreciation for their efforts on behalf of retired teachers through the Teacher Retirement System.  Additionally, we should request an increase of the employer contribution to the Optional Retirement Program to the same amount as TRS in order to recruit and retain professors needed to meet the enrollment increases envisioned in Closing the Gaps.

Appropriations Conference Committee Members may be reached as follows:
Senator Steve Ogden        512-463-0105        steve.ogden@senate.state.tx.us
Senator John Whitmire      512-463-0115        john.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Tommy Williams   512-463-0104        tommy.williams@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Judith Zaffirini       512-463-0121        judith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Robert Duncan     512-463-0128        robert.duncan@senate.state.tx.us
Rep. Warren Chisum         512-463-0736        warren.chisum@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Sylvester Turner       512-463-0554        sylvester.turner@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Lois Kolkhorst           512-463-0600        lois.kolkhorst@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Ryan Guillen             512-463-0416        ryan.guillen@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Dan Gattis                 512-463-0309       dan.gattis@house.state.tx.us



April 23, 2007 

   New Developments for Incentive Funding Bill

Last Monday's First Alert outlined components of Representative Morrison's HB 3828 on institutional performance incentive funding.  It includes a matrix for additional funding to reward legislative priorities, such as degrees by at-risk students and high-demand professions including nursing and technical degrees.  This morning, the companion bill, SB 1029 by Senate Education Committee Chair Florence Shapiro, was heard in the Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education.

Several interesting developments included an amendment by Senator Averitt that would reward production beyond a baseline of what the schools are already producing.  Also, the total incentive pot was listed at $75 million, though that will be determined by the Appropriations Conference Committee.  Finally, Senator Shapiro's substitute bill removed exit testing, with a measure to be determined later.



April 20, 2007 

   The Cost of Education TACT President Informs the Press

Please review TACT President Elizabeth Lewandowski's letter to the editor in response to allegations regarding the cost of higher         education published in the Times Records News on April 13, 2007.   
You can read the paper's editorial at
http://www.timesrecordnews.com/trn/lo_our_opinions/article/0,1891,TRN_5782_5480933,00.html.

In the editorial “Higher Standards Apply” (4/13/07), the writer once again put forward the myth that “college admission prices are absurdly high”.  In truth, the cost to apply for admission to a university is nominal.  If the writer meant that the cost of higher education is absurdly high, this myth has been perpetrated by the press long enough! 

The cost of higher education at a state university has not risen at a rate significantly higher than the cost of living in the last ten years.  The difference is that today much of the brunt of increasing costs is born by the students rather than the state.  The state of Texas has gone from funding 52% of the cost of higher education to funding 21% of the cost.  At the present rate of decline in state funding, by 2012 the state will no longer financially support any of the cost of higher education.  If the state does not adequately support the cost of higher education, the students must help make up some of the monies needed to fund the universities’ budgets.

A study on the financial benefit to a student with a bachelor’s degree shows that on average that individual can expect to earn $1,000,000 more in their lifetime than someone with a high school diploma, a significant increase in earning potential!  Yes, middle class students today, unable to qualify for grants, frequently must take out a student loan.  Those loans are at a very low interest rate, only require payments after the student leaves school and have a very low default rate.

If the cost of higher education is truly bothering you, please write to your state legislators and demand that they appropriately fund higher education!

Elizabeth J. Lewandowski
President
Texas Association of College Teachers



April 17, 2007 

   HB 3828: Incentive Funding for Universities

The highlight of Monday's committee meetings was Chairman Morrison's HB 3828 - institutional performance incentive funding - in her House Committee on Higher Education.

The bill includes several matrices which reward schools with new money for reaching targets based upon at-risk student success and critical field completion in such disciplines as engineering, nursing and computer science.  Testimony was nearly unanimous in its support, with the notable exception of the Texas Community College Teachers Association, which opposed it on the grounds that it may lead to grade inflation and does not reward the other missions of higher education.

Senate Education Committee Chair Florence Shapiro is carrying the companion legislation. 



March 5, 2007 

   HB 894 Committee Hearing Requested - Your Response Needed.

Representative Jim McReynolds has requested that his HB 894 - the TACT-backed bill that would study faculty salaries relative to comparable schools in other populous state - be heard by the House Higher Education Committee on Monday morning, March 26.  That date has NOT been confirmed.

You can help two ways:
Call committee members to register your support.
Rep. Geanie Morrison (chair)             512-463-0456
Rep. Brian McCall (vice chair)            512-463-0594
Rep. Roberto Alonzo                           512-463-0408
Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock                   512-463-0684
Rep. Fred Brown                                  512-463-0698
Rep. Helen Giddings                           512-463-0953
Rep. Donna Howard                            512-463-0631
Rep. Diane Patrick                              512-463-0624
Rep. Patrick Rose                               512-463-0647

Second, we need your testimony.  TACT's primary argument is that Texas faculty salaries are too low, creating recruitment and retention problems.  We need your stories about vacancies created or not filled because of our lack of competitive compensation.  We would prefer to attribute your story to a specific department and university, but if you prefer to remain anonymous we will respect that, so note on our testimony, and destroy your email.



February 19, 2007 

   Legislative Visits Follow-up

You will read more soon about TACT's Legislative Conference and Capitol visits this past weekend, but here's Monday's update:
Rep. Fred Brown's House Bill 116 was heard and considered favorably this morning in the House Higher Education Committee.  It would limit students to three Q-drops, while allowing certain flexibility to institutions for unusual circumstances.  During a visit afterward, Rep. Brown told TACT that the amendment to change the number of courses allowed to be dropped from three to six, TACT's recommendation, was not ready in time for the hearing but would be offered on the House Floor.

Several legislators promised last week to sign on as co-authors to Rep. Jim McReynolds' HB 894, the TACT-endorsed study of Texas faculty salaries by institution compared to similar institutions in other largely populated states.  McReynolds' staff told TACT today that the paperwork would be in the chief clerk's office today, a message then shared with the TACT-supporting legislators.  Staff also promised that a hearing would be requested this week, so it is not too early to ask your legislator to support HB 894 and consider co-authoring. 

Finally, TACT supported the recommended ORP rate increase found in SB 1, the budget bill, during a hearing today of the Senate Finance Committee. 



February 7, 2007 

   Subcommittee Considers ORP Rate Increase

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, chaired by Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, is scheduled to consider today the Legislative Budget Board recommendation on funding levels for the Optional Retirement Program.

TACT registered its support with the Subcommittee for the LBB recommendation, which increases the minimum contribution from 6% to 6.4% of salary.  The increase is consistent with the amount needed to fix the actuarial soundness of the Teacher Retirement System.

Though a small increase, it is consistent with TACT's Legislative Agenda, and the process is at its earliest stages.  More likely to bear fruit is to advocate for institutions to increase ORP contributions made possible by earlier TACT-drafted legislation.  A potential concern regarding that flexibility is the Governor's call yesterday for additional line item appropriations for higher education.   



February 5, 2007 

    Faculty Salary Bill: HB 894

State Representative Jim McReynolds has again filed a bill at TACT's request which seeks to increase Texas faculty salaries to the average of the other top ten most populous states over the course of eight years.

The legislation, HB 894, may be viewed by clicking HERE.



February 2, 2007 

   State of the State Address 

Governor Rick Perry is expected to include certain details of his higher education plan for this session during his Constitutionally-required State of the State Address Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 10:30 AM.  Details may include a 60 percent increase in grant and scholarship assistance to students who maintain a 3.0 grade point average and an additional $711 million to Texas Higher Education over last biennium's appropriations.  Additionally, increased contributions to Texas Retirement System are expected, consistent with TACT's Legislative Agenda.  Of course, student and institutional accountability measures will be required.

The Address may be viewed live at:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/media/welcome.php  

Additional information about TACT and its advocacy programs are available at www.tact.org



January 31, 2007

   Senator Watson Wants New Flagship

Senator Kirk Watson of Austin today called for a third flagship university in Texas and says his staff is researching the issue to determine whether he will file a bill.

Watson says it's unfortunate that when people think about research centers, they think about the east and west coasts.  "There are great things happening here and we already have premier universities......we need to preserve and enhance them.  But 20 years from now...we want to have at least a third new flagship university."