Professional Documents
Culture Documents
April/May/June 2011
Page 6 College Costs Linked to Risky Teen Behavior Page 8 In the News: Higher Ed Oversight Committee Page 9 The Challenge of a $10,000 Bachelors Degree
by Dr. Van Davis
Page 10 Keep a Finger on the Hot Issues: TACT Legislative Tracker Page 11 GRF Contributions Page 12 Membership
TACT
Texas Association of College Teachers 5750 Balcones Dr., Suite 201 Austin, Texas 78731 tact@bizaustin.rr.com [p] (512) 873-7404 [f] (512) 873-7423
Copyright 2011 by the Texas Association of College Teachers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced in any form without permission; Chuck Hempstead, Editor.
CONTENTS
Cover Page Index Letter from the President Executive Directors Report College Costs Linked to Risky Teen Behavior In the News: Higher Ed Oversight Committee The Challenge of a $10,000 Bachelors Degree TACT Legislative Tracker GRF Contributions Membership
Presidents Letter
by Gary Coulton TACT President
These are perilous times for public institutions of Higher Education in Texas. Does this message sound familiar? It should. To be frank, in the 15 years plus that Ive been involved with TACT, I cannot recall a time when there hasnt been serious cause for concern. (Of course some years the issues have been less anxiety-evoking than others.) I suppose that in a perfect world, or even just a perfect state, we wouldnt have to worry about issues that might threaten the quality and accessibility of higher education. But we do. Its been rather dramatically illustrated in recent months that there are a number of very influential people (most of them have little or no experience in the academy) who are sure they know what ails higher education in Texas. They also seem to believe that they possess the cure. If left to their own devices they would fix higher education with little or no input from faculty. Oh yeah, and then theres the Legislature. However, they have legitimate authority over many issues that affect education at the university level.
The former group seems to be losing ground as the public becomes more aware of the mess in which they are currently mired. (Whats the old saying... Sunshine is the best disinfectant?) Regarding actions of the Legislature that promise to impact Higher Education, TACT is very experienced and able to represent the interests of Texas faculty. As an example of our successful efforts consider funding of the TEXAS Grants financial aid program (maintaining funding for the program is on our 2011 Legislative Agenda; click here to view the Agenda). The program was created to enable disadvantaged students to attend college. At the beginning of the current session, the Legislature was prepared to cut the programs funding by more than 40%. However, this week the Senate Finance Committee voted 13 to 1 to restore 90% of current funding to the program. In this economic climate, Id put that one in the victory column. Another Legislative Agenda item we hope will go our way (but will undoubtedly be more difficult to achieve) is the effort to block legalization of handguns on campus. The belief that allowing students to be armed on campus would
Contact us!
5750 Balcones Dr., Suite 201 Austin, TX 78731 tact@bizaustin.rr.com [p] (512) 873-7404 [f] (512) 873-7423
CONTENTS
Cover Page Index Letter from the President Executive Directors Report College Costs Linked to Risky Teen Behavior In the News: Higher Ed Oversight Committee The Challenge of a $10,000 Bachelors Degree TACT Legislative Tracker GRF Contributions Membership
Contact us!
5750 Balcones Dr., Suite 201 Austin, TX 78731 tact@bizaustin.rr.com [p] (512) 873-7404 [f] (512) 873-7423
CONTENTS
Cover Page Index Letter from the President Executive Directors Report College Costs Linked to Risky Teen Behavior In the News: Higher Ed Oversight Committee The Challenge of a $10,000 Bachelors Degree TACT Legislative Tracker GRF Contributions Membership
Sometimes my most eye-opening information is from Dan. Dan is married to former TACT President Elizabeth Lewandowski, and he knows that it is a TACT tradition to advocate for low college tuition (and better-funded scholarship programs) to make a college education available to as many people as are able to succeed at it. Dan may not remember that I have two teenage daughters, but the reader will see another reason why this issue catches my attention. Elsewhere in this eBulletin, we have re-printed College Costs Linked to Risky Teen Behavior. The researchbased premise is that the more students believe that they can afford a higher education, the less likely they are to engage in potentially harmful behaviors such as cigarette and pot smoking and sexual activity. Dan suggests that I share this information with legislators. I think I will. Now, what will my daughters think? . . . In association news, I want you to join me in celebrating our VP of Financial Affairs, Dr. Frank Fair, for being selected as a Minnie Stevens Piper Award-winning Professor this year. Check out the full story here. Were proud to have such a distinguished faculty member as part of our Board, and are thankful for his many contributions over the years. We would also like to congratulate TACT member Jim Westgate of Lamar University, who is also a Piper Award recipient. As summer approaches and the Legislative Session is starting to wind down, be assured that we will keep you updated on policy issues and decisions that pop up during the hot months ahead. Surely more will come of the $10K Bachelors degree discussion. Later in this newsletter, see Dr. Van Davis Powerpoint presentation to THECB on a proposed framework for the $10K degree. Dont lose touch with us over the summer. Email us. Tell us what issues are bugging you. As I look back on the eBulletin from this time last year, the story was impending, catastrophic budget shortfall. Now, were in the thick of it. Lets hope for a brighter future ahead, and, in the meantime, TACT will keep you up to date and looking forward.
Contact us!
5750 Balcones Dr., Suite 201 Austin, TX 78731 tact@bizaustin.rr.com [p] (512) 873-7404 [f] (512) 873-7423
CONTENTS
Cover Page Index Letter from the President Executive Directors Report College Costs Linked to Risky Teen Behavior In the News: Higher Ed Oversight Committee The Challenge of a $10,000 Bachelors Degree TACT Legislative Tracker GRF Contributions Membership
Contact us!
5750 Balcones Dr., Suite 201 Austin, TX 78731 tact@bizaustin.rr.com [p] (512) 873-7404 [f] (512) 873-7423
CONTENTS
Cover Page Index Letter from the President Executive Directors Report College Costs Linked to Risky Teen Behavior In the News: Higher Ed Oversight Committee The Challenge of a $10,000 Bachelors Degree TACT Legislative Tracker GRF Contributions Membership
Contact us!
5750 Balcones Dr., Suite 201 Austin, TX 78731 tact@bizaustin.rr.com [p] (512) 873-7404 [f] (512) 873-7423
CONTENTS
Cover Page Index Letter from the President Executive Directors Report College Costs Linked to Risky Teen Behavior In the News: Higher Ed Oversight Committee The Challenge of a $10,000 Bachelors Degree TACT Legislative Tracker GRF Contributions Membership
Contact us!
5750 Balcones Dr., Suite 201 Austin, TX 78731 tact@bizaustin.rr.com [p] (512) 873-7404 [f] (512) 873-7423
Speaker Straus has appointed Representative Dan Branch (R-Dallas) as joint chair of the committee. The committee members include Representatives Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton); Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio); Eric Johnson (D-Dallas); Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham); and Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie).
CONTENTS
Cover Page Index Letter from the President Executive Directors Report College Costs Linked to Risky Teen Behavior In the News: Higher Ed Oversight Committee The Challenge of a $10,000 Bachelors Degree TACT Legislative Tracker GRF Contributions Membership
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board met on April 28th to discuss Governor Rick Perrys idea of a $10,000 Bachelors Degree. Dr. Van Davis, the Special Projects Director in the Academic Affairs and Research Division for the THECB, presented a framework for a $10K degree, what the obstacles are, and what is already progressing. In his presentation, Davis emphasizes that there is no one size fits all model of higher education. Davis suggests that differentiating course formats, enrollment throughout the year, and utilizing open source materials and virtual resources are just a few avenues toward creating a workable system on such a tight budget. The $10K Bachelors Degree definitely is not impossible, but will most certainly take some innovative strategizing to implement.
CONTENTS
Cover Page Index Letter from the President Executive Directors Report College Costs Linked to Risky Teen Behavior In the News: Higher Ed Oversight Committee The Challenge of a $10,000 Bachelors Degree TACT Legislative Tracker GRF Contributions Membership
Contact us!
5750 Balcones Dr., Suite 201 Austin, TX 78731 tact@bizaustin.rr.com [p] (512) 873-7404 [f] (512) 873-7423
Have a question or comment about the Legislative Tracker? Log in to the TACT website let us know what you think. Or simply email us at tact@bizaustin.rr.com.
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CONTENTS
Cover Page Index Letter from the President Executive Directors Report College Costs Linked to Risky Teen Behavior In the News: Higher Ed Oversight Committee The Challenge of a $10,000 Bachelors Degree TACT Legislative Tracker GRF Contributions Membership
Contact us!
5750 Balcones Dr., Suite 201 Austin, TX 78731 tact@bizaustin.rr.com [p] (512) 873-7404 [f] (512) 873-7423
Peter Hugill Harvey Johnson Joe Kemble Hsun-Ming Lee Allen Martin Andrea Williams
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CONTENTS
Cover Page Index Letter from the President Executive Directors Report College Costs Linked to Risky Teen Behavior In the News: Higher Ed Oversight Committee The Challenge of a $10,000 Bachelors Degree TACT Legislative Tracker GRF Contributions Membership
Renew your TACT membership online by visiting Join TACT or renew over the phone by calling (512) 873-7404.
Contact us!
5750 Balcones Dr., Suite 201 Austin, TX 78731 tact@bizaustin.rr.com [p] (512) 873-7404 [f] (512) 873-7423
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