The prosperity that Texas has been enjoying could spiral downward if steps are not taken to ensure an educated population and workforce for the future of our state. David Gardner will provide a summary of Texas demographics and an update on progress made toward Closing the Gaps by 2015, the state's higher education plan.

Presentation

1:40p.m.

MacGregor M. Stephenson
Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Research
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

The Texas Performance and Accountability System for public higher education makes data available for Texas' public universities, colleges, and health-related institutions. The Accountability System has been in place for nearly six years. Susan Brown will provide an overview of this system and how it is being used to better serve the needs of our state, communities, and students. MacGregor Stephenson will provide a summary explanation of the review of new and existing degree programs.

Presentation

Panelists:

• Cullen M. "Mike" Godfrey, Chief Legal Officer, Texas A&M University Health Science Center
• Fernando C. Gomez, Vice Chancellor and General Counsel, Texas State University System

Panelists will provide an overview of open meetings and open records in Texas. They will lead an interactive discussion about effective trusteeship, ethics, and the avoidance of conflicts of interest.

Handouts:

• Texas Ethics Advisory Opinions
• Can I Take It?
• Texas Education Code, Section 51.293
• Duties and Ethics of Public Sector Board Members under Texas Law
• Texas Government Code, Chapter 572
• Other Resources

Most state funds appropriated each biennium to public higher education institutions are distributed by the Legislature through funding formulas designed to allocate the funds equitably among institutions. The Texas Education Code and General Appropriations Act direct the Coordinating Board to review and recommend changes to these formulas.

Presentation

4:00 p.m.

Panelists:

• Kitty Boyle, Trustee, Dallas County Community College District
• Nancy R. Neal, Regent, Texas Tech University System
• Welcome W. Wilson, Sr., Chairman, University of Houston System Board of Regents

Governing board members who serve public colleges and universities fulfill their considerable responsibilities in an increasing complex political, economic, and social environment. Panelists will include governing board members from Texas institutions of higher education who will discuss the biggest concerns of new regents and trustees, relations among governing board members and senior administrators, and evaluation of board and executive performance.

7:00 p.m.

The Fiscal Outlook for the State of Texas
John Heleman, Chief Revenue Estimator, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Legislators rely on the Comptroller's office to chart the course of the Texas economy, produce annual financial reports, and estimate future state revenues. John Heleman will provide the fiscal outlook expected for the State of Texas for the next two years.

• Fred Heldenfels, Vice-Chairman, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
• Rich Petrick, Vice Chancellor for Finance, Ohio Board of Regents
• Loretta Seppanen, Assistant Director for Research and Analysis, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

The Coordinating Board's formula funding recommendations for the 2010-2011 biennium recognized the need to shift from a focus on meeting the student participation goals of the state's higher education plan, Closing the Gaps by 2015, to more effectively meet the state's student success goals. Texas higher education and the leadership of the state deserve recognition for significant gains in student enrollments over the past eight years since Closing the Gaps was first adopted - and those gains must continue. However, if the goals of Closing the Gaps are to be fully realized, much more emphasis must be placed on the success of those students and the effective use of state, institutional, and student resources in retaining and graduating students. Panelists will share information about their states' efforts to fund institutions on outcomes rather than inputs to encourage improved performance and efficiency at public institutions of higher education.

Petrick Presentation
Seppanen Presentation  Handouts

Break

Panelists:

• Shah Ardalan, Vice Chancellor for Technology Services and Chief Information Officer, Lone Star College System
• Phil Schubert, Executive Vice-President, Abilene Christian University
• James Wright, Director for Environmental Health & Safety, The University of Texas at Dallas

On September 9, 2009, Governor Rick Perry issued Executive Order RP73, which orders the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in cooperation with Texas public institutions of higher education, to undertake a broad and comprehensive review of system-wide opportunities for achieving cost efficiencies. Panelists will be representatives from Texas higher education institutions who will share information about cost efficiency efforts that are already underway at their institutions.

Ardalan Presentation
Wright Presentation

Handout

Panelists:

• Jorge Klor de Alva, Senior Vice President for Academic Excellence and Director of the University of Phoenix National Research Center
• Lana Oleen, Former Chair, Midwestern Higher Education Compact
• Jennifer Smolka, Mentor for Teachers Education Courses & Communities, Western Governor's University
• Sandra K. Woodley, Chief Financial Officer, Arizona Board of Regents

A number of out-of-state institutions have undertaken systematic and comprehensive efforts to lower costs and make operations more efficient while sustaining and improving quality. Panelists will be representatives from other states' higher education institutions who will share information about their institutions' cost efficiency efforts.

Klor de Alva Presentation
Woodley Presentation
Woodley Presentation 2

Handout - Western Governor's University
Handout - Arizona System

Luncheon, Keynote Speakers, and 2009 Star Awards Ceremony
Raymund A. Paredes, Commissioner of Higher Education
"The State of Higher Education"

Presentation

Texas Higher Education STAR Awards Ceremony