MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

9:00 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 Committee on Higher Education was held on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kel Seliger, Chair		Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Kirk Watson, Vice Chair		Senator Dan Patrick
Senator Judith Zaffirini		Senator Royce West

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 AM. The following business was transacted:

 

Senator Rodriguez was present at the hearing.

 

The chair made opening remarks about the Committee. The chair also announced that the Committee would be piloting the new electronic witness registration system.

 

Senator Seliger made remarks regarding interim charge two: Study and make recommendations regarding the impact of technology on higher education instruction, including online courses and massive open online courses (MOOCs), and their impact on higher education excellence, cost, and funding requirements.

 

The chair also made remarks regarding interim charge four: Examine and make recommendations regarding improvements in teacher preparation and certification programs to address any misalignment with school district shortages and problems with retaining new teachers.

 

Senator Seliger then called invited testimony on both interim charges (see attached witness list).

 

At 11:01 AM Senator Watson assumed the chair.

 

At 11:04 AM Senator Seliger resumed the chair.

 

The chair opened public testimony on interim charges two and four (see attached witness list).

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 12:14 PM Senator Seliger moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

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Senator Kel Seliger, Chair

 

 

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Sarah Harrington, Clerk