TITLE 19.EDUCATION

Part 1. TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD

Chapter 9. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLIC COMMUNITY/JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICTS AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES

Subchapter J. ACADEMIC ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

19 TAC §§9.181 - 9.186

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts new §§9.181 - 9.186, concerning academic associate degrees without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 16, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 3886).

Specifically, these new sections will establish guidelines for Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degree programs offered by public community/junior colleges and state colleges authorized to offer transfer programs.

Three comments regarding the new sections were received as follows:

Comment: Alamo Community College District expressed full support for the proposed rules.

Response: This comment supported the proposed rules therefore no changes were made as a result of this comment.

Comment: Northeast Texas Community College expressed support for most of the wording but objected to the maximum limitation of 66 semester credit hours (SCH) for degree programs.

Response: Because many universities do not accept more than 66 SCH in lower-division course work in transfer, degree programs that require more could put many students in jeopardy of losing hours after they transfer. However, the limitation of 66 SCH is on a degree program, not on the total number of courses an individual student may take at a two-year college. A college and a university may still enter into an articulation agreement to transfer additional course work. In that case, the student who plans to attend that university may be advised to take the additional courses, but other students in the degree program would stay within the 66 SCH limit. No changes were made as a result of these comments.

Comment: Lee College staff also requested that the limitation for academic associate degree programs be raised to match the 72 SCH allowed for applied associate degree programs.

Response: Because many universities do not accept more than 66 SCH in lower-division course work in transfer, degree programs that require more could put many students in jeopardy of losing hours after they transfer. However, the limitation of 66 SCH is on a degree program, not on the total number of courses an individual student may take at a two-year college. A college and a university may still enter into an articulation agreement to transfer additional course work. In that case, the student who plans to attend that university may be advised to take the additional courses, but other students in the degree program would stay within the 66 SCH limit. No changes were made as a result of these comments.

The new sections are adopted under the Texas Education Code, §§61.003, 61.051(e) - (f), 61.0513, 61.053, 61.054, 61.055, 61.061, 61.062(c) - (d), 61.075, 130.001(b)(3) - (4), 130.003(e)(1)(2)(3) and (7) and 135.04, which authorize the Coordinating Board to adopt policies, enact regulations, and establish rules for the coordination of postsecondary certificate and associate degree programs eligible for state appropriations.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 28, 2003.

TRD-200304573

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective date: August 17, 2003

Proposal publication date: May 16, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6114


Chapter 13. FINANCIAL PLANNING

Subchapter K. TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM

19 TAC §13.193

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts amendments to §13.193 of Board rules, concerning submissions by institutions related to grant competitions under the Technology Workforce Development Grant Program, in accordance with the Texas Education Code, §51.837(a) and §61.051(p) without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 16, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 3887).

Specifically, these amendments will allow the Coordinating Board more flexibility in requesting proposal submissions that address the second purpose of the Technology Workforce Development Act: to increase collaborative efforts between universities, engineer and computer science departments, and private companies in Texas.

There were no comments received regarding the amendments.

The amendments are adopted under the Texas Education Code, §51.837(a), which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to award grants under Technology Workforce Development Grant Program on a competitive, peer-review basis and Texas Education Code, §61.051(p), which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to administer trusteed funds, grant programs, research competition awards, and other funds and program as directed by the legislature.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 28, 2003.

TRD-200304574

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective date: August 17, 2003

Proposal publication date: May 16, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6114