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Source: A&M prez, Big 12 Talked Split

August 31, 2011
Education, Excellence, Higher Ed
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Information from ESPN college football reporter Joe Schad and The Associated Press was used in this report.

Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin had a phone conversation with Missouri chancellor and Big 12 Conference board chairman Brady Deaton on Monday night about his university’s desire to withdraw from the conference, a Big 12 source confirmed to ESPN’s Joe Schad on Tuesday.

Texas A&M could send its formal, written letter of departure as early as this week, the source said. The only holdups are threats of litigation by Big 12 members and the need to clarify exit fees.

The New York Times said in a story posted on its website Monday night that Loftin sent a letter to Deaton to inform the league it was leaving. Texas A&M denied that report, saying Tuesday it has not sent a letter of withdrawal to the Big 12.

When Colorado and Nebraska left the conference last year, they paid about half of what the Big 12 could have contended they owed upon leaving the conference, and Texas A&M would like similar treatment, the source told Schad. Read More

UT Board of Regents Approves $30 Million Dollar Medical Program

August 31, 2011
Accountability, Education, Excellence, Higher Ed, Higher Ed Controversy, Jobs, Solutions
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By Mark Nino

The Board of Regents for the University of Texas has approved a $30 million dollar plan to expand educational programs and recruit faculty in the Rio Grande Valley.

Board members and Harlingen attorney Randy Whittington believe the grant could make an impact right away. Whittington stated, “It is a five year program, but it is front loaded. Almost all of the $30 million dollars will be spent in the first year. It will start right around the first of October with the planning for residency, the implementation of the simulation center and the SMART hospital. We have trained over 800 medical students at the Regional Academic Health Center and it will only grow and expand as we get the medical school.”

Board members expect the plan to provide a substantial boost in education and training for future professionals in science, technology, engineering, math and medicine.

see original http://www.kveo.com/news/ut-board-of-regents-approves-30-million-dollar-medical-program

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Voters Get Say on 10 Constitutional Amendments

August 31, 2011
Accountability, Affordability, Education, Excellence, Higher Ed Controversy, Jobs, Solutions
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Written by Bill Conrad, bconrad@acnpapers.com

The future of state-issued college loans is in the hands of Texas voters.

A proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution would allow the sale of bonds to fund the Hinson-Hazlewood College Student Loan Program is one of 10 items on the Nov. 8 ballot. Other items include a provision to extend tax exemptions to the surviving spouse of totally disabled veterans and an item dealing with the process of distributing money from the permanent school fund.

Since 1969, the State Legislature has sold more than $1.8 billion in bonds to finance the college loans. The state expects the current money for the program to expire in 2013, making the issuance of new bonds necessary. State-funded student loans may become even more important as Federal lawmakers consider cuts to financial aid.

“With this new debt commission, everything is on the table,” said State Sen. Royce West, the bill’s author. “They are looking to cut entitlement programs and are also looking at education funding. From that vantage point, higher education is going to be on the chopping block. One of things that is going to be on the block is research, but then they will look at financial aid.”

A summary of the proposed amendment provided by the House Research Organization said the need for the loans is paramount due to the competitive nature of the loan process. Read More

Tuition Costs Rise as State Funding Falls

August 31, 2011
Accountability, Affordability, Education, Excellence, Higher Ed Controversy, Jobs, Solutions
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Written by Liza Winkler

This spring Texas State students can expect to shell out more money for tuition due to budget cuts made to higher education in the recent legislative session.

The Texas State University System Board of Regents discussed student tuition and fee adjustments on Aug. 18 and 19 at Sul Ross State University. The Board of Regents met to discuss raising tuition to cover additional funds that were cut by the legislature. The nine-member board oversees legal, financial, academic and communication services throughout the university and seven other colleges, including Sam Houston State University and Lamar University. Read More