TITLE 19.EDUCATION

Part 1. TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD

Chapter 5. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Subchapter A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

19 TAC §5.11

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board proposes amendments to §5.11, concerning the Common Admission Application. Specifically, the amendments to the rules would require that the common application be the only admission application used by the 35 Texas public universities.

Ms. Lois Hollis, Assistant Commissioner for Student Services, has determined that for each year of the first five years these proposed new rules are in effect, there will be no fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules.

Ms. Hollis has also determined that for each year of the first five years these proposed amendments to the rules are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of administering the sections will be increased uniformity among the universities in regard to the admission application and better service to students. There is no adverse effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with these sections as proposed. There is no impact on local employment.

Comments on the amendments to the rules may be submitted to Ms. Lois Hollis, Assistant Commissioner for Student Services, P. O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711.

The amendments to the rules are proposed under the Texas Education Code, §51.762, which states that the Coordinating Board, with the assistance of an advisory committee composed of representatives of general academic teaching institutions and in consultation with affected general academic teaching institutions, shall adopt by rule a common admission application form for use by a person seeking admission as a freshman student to a general academic teaching institution.

The amendments to the rules affect the Texas Education Code, Chapter 51.

§5.11.Common Admission Application.

(a) - (c) (No changes.)

(d) To ensure a uniform printed version of the common application, the common application shall be the only application used by the 35 Texas public universities. In addition, the public universities shall adhere to the following guidelines:

(1) No university shall pre-print its own name on the common application, and no university name or logo shall appear on the form.

(2) When sending the common application to a student along with other supplemental information or when inserting it into a viewbook, it shall be included with no alterations and shall include the instructions for completing the application, the general application information and the list of deadlines for all universities.

(e) [ (d) ] The Coordinating Board shall ensure that copies of the freshman common admission application form and information for its use are available for distribution to appropriate personnel at each public high school. The Coordinating Board will work with institutions and high schools to ensure that all high schools have access to either the printed or electronic common application form. An institution of higher education may charge a reasonable fee for the filing of a common application form.

(f) [ (e) ] The Coordinating Board shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with a public institution of higher education to design and implement an electronic common application system for use by the public in applying for admission to Texas general academic teaching institutions and for distribution of the electronic application system to the university(s) designated by the applicant. After the system is implemented, operating costs of the system will be paid for by participating institutions. Each institution will pay a portion of the cost based on the percentage of their enrollment compared to the total statewide public higher education enrollment based on the previous year's certified enrollment data. The Coordinating Board will monitor the cost of the system and notify the institutions on an annual basis of their share of the cost. Billings for the services for the coming year will be calculated and sent to the institutions in March [ December ] and payments must be received by September 1.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on August 13, 2001.

TRD-200104660

Gary Prevost

Director of Business Services

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Proposed date of adoption: October 26, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6162