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Texas Association of College Teachers
Serving Educators Since 1948

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2009 TACT First Alerts

           April 13, 2009- Elect Your Board Members

           March 5, 2009-TACT registered in support yesterday of Senate Bill 65

           February 13, 2009- Committee Members selected

           January 27, 2009- Governor Perry delivers State of the State

           January 5, 2009- Coordinating Board’s Legislative Priorities

2008 TACT First Alerts

          August 5, 2008- TRS has released its Strategic Plan for 2009-2013

          July 2008- TACT 60th Birthday!

          July 3, 2008- TACT has completely revamped the annual ORP study.

          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


April 13, 2009-Elect Your Board Members

At its February 20 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 30.  Your identity will be known only to staff.

Vice President, Financial Affairs

Frank Fair, Sam Houston State University

Write in:__________________________________

 

Vice President, Legislative Affairs

Cindy Simpson, Sam Houston State University

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 5, 2009-TACT register in support yesterday of Senate Bill 65

TACT registered in support yesterday of Senate Bill 65 by Senator Judith Zaffirini (D – Laredo) at the Committee on Higher Education, which she chairs.  The bill would provide additional leave for a faculty member physically assaulted during his performance of regular duties without that leave being deducted from his accrued leave.  The duration of that additional leave is equal to that “necessary for the employee to recuperate from any physical injury that results from the assault.”

For additional TACT activities, see www.tact.org 

 


 

February 13, 2009- Committee Members selected

 

The Senate and House Committees have been named. The ones most actively monitored by TACT include Senate Finance and Higher Education (now its own committee) and the House Committees on Appropriations, Higher Education and Pensions and Investments.

Senate Finance:

Chair: Ogden

Vice-Chair: Hinojosa

Members: Averitt, Duell, Duncan, Eltife, Harris, Lucio, Jr., Nelson, Seliger, Shapiro, West, Whitmire, Williams, Zaffirini


Senate Higher Education:

Chair: Zaffirini

Vice-Chair: Patrick

Members: Averitt, Duncan, West


Senate Education:

Chair: Shapiro

Vice-Chair: Patrick

Members: Averitt, Davis, Gallegos, Jr., Ogden, Van de Putte, West, Williams

House Appropriations:

Chair: Pitts

Vice-Chair: Pena Raymond

Members: Aycock, Brown, Button, Chavez, Cohen, Cregihton, Crownnover, Darby, Driver, Dukes, Edwards, Eiland, Flores, Giddings, Herrero, Hochberg, Isett, King, McClendon, Miller, Morrison, Otto, Riddle, Villarreal, Zerwas


House Pensions & Investments:

Chair: Truitt

Vice-Chair: Anchia

Members: Anderson, Flynn, Hernandez, Hopson, Parker, Veasey, Woolley

 

House Higher Education:

Chair: Branch

Vice-Chair: Castro

Members: Alonzo, Berman, Cohen, Howard, McCall, Patrick, Rose 


 

 

January 27, 2009- Governor Perry Deliver State of the State

TACT Board Member and Past President Allen Martin attended today’s State of the State Address by Governor Rick Perry.

Much of the Governor’s content included how the Texas economy is stronger than that of the rest of the nation, and that it is the mission of the 81st Legislature to continue to invest in job-creating activities as we are not immune to the world-wide recession.  He said that from November 2007 through November 2008, seventy percent of the new jobs created in the U.S. occurred in Texas.

Education news was general: “We must improve education at every level.”  He again supported increases in the TEXAS Grant Program of scholarships, and endorsed freezing tuition for four years at the level an entering freshman first faces.  He supported incentive funding to institutions based on graduation rate increases.

We again remind you to consider “Faculty Day at the Capitol” February 27.  Additional TACT legislative news is available at www.tact.org A preliminary list of legislation being tracked by TACT will be available soon, so feel free to forward your bills of interest.


 

January 5, 2009- Coordinating Board’s Legislative Priorities

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has released its five-point agenda of legislative priorities, including formula funding and a significant increase in the number of students receiving Texas Grant funding.  This concise document may be viewed at http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/DocFetch.cfm?DocID=1683&Format=PDF.

Please set aside Friday, February 27 to join TACT leaders at the biennial “Faculty Day at the Capitol” to advocate for higher education issues and funding.  Additional details are forthcoming.  

 


 

 

August 5, 2008- TRS has released it Strategic Plan for 2009-2013

The Texas Retirement System of Texas (TRS) has released its Strategic Plan for 2009-2013.  The strategic objectives of the TRS, developed in accordance with the TRS Board of Trustees’ fiduciary duties and presented in the document, support the following priority goals of the State of Texas as related to higher education:

·     Providing an affordable, accessible, and quality system of higher education.

·     Furthering the development and application of knowledge through teaching, research, and commercialization.

TRS directly supports the state’s priority goal for education by providing retirement and related benefits, which serve as a recruitment and retention incentive for Texas higher education employees.

For the full report, go to: http://trs.state.tx.us/about/documents/strategic_plan.pdf.

 


 

July 2008- TACT's 60th Birthday!

Although it's TACT's 60th birthday, we're giving the presents to our members! 

We wouldn't have been able to make it this far without you, so for every two members you recruit by TACT's 60th anniversary celebration, we'll give you $60.  There are no restrictions on how many members you can gain credit for, so refer as many people as you can!  It's $60 for every two; it's that simple.

You must attend the conference to receive your prize and be sure to remind your colleagues to mention you by name to get credit.

 


 

 

July 3, 2008- TACT has completely revamped the annual ORP Study.

TACT has completely revamped the annual ORP study. As opposed to simply providing a list of investment companies, we are offering a personalized investment report. This new study will include a sample retirement plan analysis and guide TACT members to an interactive website which generates customized reports detailing the performance of their retirement plan.

The study, which will be available to all TACT members, will assess the strength of each individual's retirement assets in relation to their peers, calculate how well each investment does after taxes, and assesses their comparative risk. With this powerful tool, TACT members will be able to make sure they're on track to meeting their retirement goals and make adjustments to their plan in order to put them on track, if need be.

If you're not a member and are interested in receiving the ORP study, go to www.tact.org and become a member today.

 

 


 

 

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.