MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Wednesday, February 16,
2011
8:00 AM
Capitol Extension, Room
E1.012
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with
Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Higher Education
Committee was held on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, in the Capitol Extension,
Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS
PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS
ABSENT: |
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Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair |
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Senator Jeff Wentworth |
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Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair |
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Senator Robert Duncan |
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Senator Joan Huffman |
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Senator Kirk Watson |
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Senator Royce West |
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The Chair made
opening remarks and noted that today's hearing was an organizational meeting to
define priority issues and to hear an overview of the current state of Texas
higher education. She presented Senator Brain Birdwell with a gavel and sound
block, commemorating his appointment as Vice Chair of the committee.
After
recognizing Vice Chair Birdwell, the Chair invited committee members to provide
opening remarks and introduce their respective Higher Education Policy Analyst.
Accordingly, Senator West introduced LaJuana Barton; Senator Watson, Edna
Butts; Senator Huffman, Johanna Sheffield; Senator Duncan, Porter Wilson and
Meagan Scott; and Senator Birdwell, Liz Young.
The Chair
introduced the Senate Higher Education Committee staff for the 82nd
Legislative
Session, namely, Ray Martinez, Committee Director, General Counsel, and Chief
of Staff; Mark Kavanaugh, Policy Analyst; and Gonzalo Serrano, Committee Clerk.
After the Chair
laid out the proposed committee rules for consideration, Senator Birdwell moved
their adoption. There being no objection, the motion was adopted by unanimous consent.
The following
invited witnesses testified regarding the current state of Texas higher
education:
·
Dr.
Raymund Paredes, Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
·
Fred W. Heldenfels, IV, Chair, Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board
There being no
further business, at 9:17 a.m., Senator Birdwell moved that the Senate Higher
Education Committee stand in recess, subject to the call of the Chair. The
motion was adopted by unanimous consent.
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