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Message from Dr. Max Castillo
February 17, 2005
Back to Legislative Update

Posted on this page will be the most recent updates sent or received by UHD President Max Castillo on legislative activity that affects UH-Downtown.

This is the first in a series of updates that I will send to the university community during the 79 th Session of the Texas Legislature to keep you informed about the status of legislation specific to UHD, and to higher education in general.

During each Legislative Session, my chief role is to advocate for UH-Downtown in order to ensure that the university receives its fair share of state funding. I have made a number of trips to Austin during these last several months to testify for various committees in the Texas House and Senate and to meet with legislators.

I am happy to report that these conversations indicate that the climate for higher education is more promising than it was two years ago, when we were asked to cut our budgets to compensate for a sizable deficit.

At stake during this session is legislation that relates directly to UHD's ability to serve our growing student population. We are asking for $30 million in tuition revenue bonds for construction of a new classroom building, as well as special item funding for projects that expand our university's reach into the community.

One factor that works in UHD's favor is our enrollment growth during the last biennium. As more students seek our quality academic programs, we are better positioned to benefit from the state's formula funding.

On February 9 and 10, I testified before the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees, respectively, on House/Senate Bill 1, which provides the road map for general appropriations for all state agencies, including higher education.

The bill , as currently written, contains a number of provisions that are favorable to higher education. Specifically,

•  The reduction made by the 78 th Legislature to the weighted SCH rate (the “base” funding rate used in used in calculating the Operations Support formula) has been restored and, in fact, increased.

•  Tuition Revenue Bond Debt Service has been fully restored.

•  The appropriation for Staff Group Insurance Premiums has been increased, although this should not be taken to mean the employee health insurance premiums will be coming down. This increase has more affect on the amount of money the university has used to compensate for previous state cutbacks.

Following the testimony, the legislators asked a number of questions that indicated a positive view of UHD and the role we play in providing educational access and opportunity. I am attaching a copy of the House testimony.

As you know, the economic well-being of our university during this last biennium was dependent on increases in tuition and fees. We still do not know if there will be additional fees or fee increases for the next academic year. In April, the Board of Regents will hold a special called meeting to consider any such increases for each of the universities in the UH System.

I would also like to report to you on the economic climate for higher education on a national level. I serve on the board of directors for the American Council on Education, the largest higher education advocacy group in Washington, D.C. At our annual meeting last week, the main topics of discussion were access and affordability in higher education and how federal and state policy makers continue to neglect student aid at the expense of other priorities.

ACE is advocating to Congress that the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act should focus on increases to Pell Grants. I am involved with an ACE committee that interacts with congressional subcommittees to safeguard items in federal grants that fund the student support infrastructure at UHD.

These issues – in both the state and national arenas – relate directly to our ability to carry out the mission of our university and to continue serving our students in an environment that emphasizes academic excellence.

I will be summoned to testify for the House Higher Education Committee in early March, and will continue to keep you informed as the Legislative Session progresses.