CHAPTER 96. INSTITUTIONS OF THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
EDUCATION CODE
TITLE 3. HIGHER EDUCATION
SUBTITLE E. THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
CHAPTER 96. INSTITUTIONS OF THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
SUBCHAPTER A. SUL ROSS STATE UNIVERSITY
Sec. 96.01. SUL ROSS STATE UNIVERSITY. Sul Ross State
University is a coeducational institution of higher education
located in the city of Alpine, with an upper-level educational
center known as Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College
operated in the cities of Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Uvalde. The
university is under the management and control of the Board of
Regents, Texas State University System.
Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3222, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.
Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1160, ch. 434,
Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1975; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 118, Sec.
2, eff. May 17, 1995.
Sec. 96.02. REFERENCE TO UVALDE STUDY CENTER. A reference in
law to the Uvalde Study Center of Sul Ross State University means
Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 118, Sec. 3, eff. May 17,
1995.
SUBCHAPTER C. TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY--SAN MARCOS
Sec. 96.41. TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY--SAN MARCOS. Texas State
University--San Marcos is a coeducational institution of higher
education located in the city of San Marcos. It is under the
management and control of the Board of Regents, Texas State
University System.
Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3223, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.
Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1160, ch. 434,
Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1975; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 386, Sec.
2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
SUBCHAPTER D. SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY
Sec. 96.61. SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY. (a) Sam Houston State
University is a coeducational institution of higher education
located in the city of Huntsville. It is under the management
and control of the Board of Regents, Texas State University
System.
(b) The board may not change the name of the university.
Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3223, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.
Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1160, ch. 434,
Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1975.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
675, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.
Sec. 96.62. UNIVERSITY AIRPORT. (a) The board may construct or
otherwise acquire without cost to the state or the university an
airport for purposes of cooperation with the national defense
program and for instruction in aeronautics.
(b) The board may acquire by purchase, lease, gift, or by any
other means, and may maintain, use, and operate any and all
property of any kind, real, personal, or mixed, or any interest
in property, necessary or convenient to the exercise of the
powers conferred by this section. The board has the power of
eminent domain for the purpose of acquiring by condemnation any
real property, or any interest in real property, necessary or
convenient to the exercise of the powers conferred by this
section. The board shall exercise the power of eminent domain in
the manner provided by general law, including Title 52, Revised
Civil Statutes of Texas, 1925, except that it shall not be
required to give bond for appeal or bond for costs.
Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3223, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.
Sept. 1, 1971.
Sec. 96.63. JOSEY SCHOOL OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION. (a) The
Josey School of Vocational Education is a division of Sam Houston
State University and is under the direction and control of the
Board of Regents, State Senior Colleges.
(b) The administration of the school is under the direction of
the president of Sam Houston State University.
(c) The school shall provide vocational training for individuals
over the age of 18 who cannot qualify scholastically for college
entrance and for other persons who desire to avail themselves of
short intensive courses in vocational education in the following
fields: agriculture, home management, distributive education,
photography, plumbing, sheet metal work, machine shop, auto
mechanics, furniture, electrical appliances, air conditioning and
refrigeration, printing, radio, garment making, interior
decorating, light construction contracting, photoengraving,
watchmaking, and other trades of like nature. The training in
these subjects shall be organized so that the courses may be
completed in from 9 to 24 months. Courses may also be offered in
English and mathematics and other subjects which will contribute
to the vocational training of the student. Vocational courses in
government, designed to prepare workers in various county, city,
and state offices, may also be offered.
(d) The rate of tuition charged students shall be the actual
cost of teaching service, not to exceed $500 per scholastic year
of nine months. Scholarships may be awarded by the board to
worthy indigent students who might greatly benefit from the
training offered. The amount of the scholarships may vary
according to the needs of the individuals, but in no case may it
reduce the tuition payment by the student to a point less than
the tuition fee regularly charged students at the state senior
colleges.
Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3224, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.
Sept. 1, 1971.
Sec. 96.64. BILL BLACKWOOD LAW ENFORCEMENT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
OF TEXAS. (a) The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management
Institute of Texas is created for the training of police
management personnel. The headquarters of the institute are at
Sam Houston State University. The institute is under the
supervision and direction of the president of Sam Houston State
University and shall be operated and managed as a joint program
between Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University,
and Texas Woman's University.
(b) The president may establish rules relating to the institute.
(c) The president shall establish reasonable charges for
participation in institute training programs by participants who
are not residents of this state. The participation costs of
participants who are residents, including tuition, books, room,
board, and travel costs, shall be paid from the Bill Blackwood
Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas fund. Participation
in the institute training programs is open to every eligible
resident of this state, whether or not the person is sponsored by
an employing law enforcement agency.
(d) The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of
Texas fund is in the state treasury. The president shall use the
fund in administering the institute.
(e) The board of regents of the Texas State University System
may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or
equip property, buildings, structures, facilities, roads, or
related infrastructure for the institute to be financed by the
issuance of bonds in accordance with Subchapter B, Chapter 55.
The board of regents may pledge irrevocably to the payment of
those bonds a portion of the proceeds of the Bill Blackwood Law
Enforcement Management Institute of Texas fund. The amount of a
pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated
while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to
refund those bonds, are outstanding.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 4, Sec. 2.39(a), eff. Sept. 1,
1989. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 19, Sec. 1, eff. April
11, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 561, Sec. 26, eff. Aug. 26,
1991. Renumbered from Government Code, Sec. 415.091 to 415.099
and amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 1047, Sec. 1, eff. Sept.
1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 876, Sec. 1.02,
eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 895, Sec. 2, eff.
Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 96.641. INITIAL TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR
POLICE CHIEFS. (a) The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement
Management Institute of Texas shall establish and offer a program
of initial training and a program of continuing education for
police chiefs. The curriculum for each program must relate to law
enforcement management issues. The institute shall develop the
curriculum for the programs. The curriculum must be approved by
the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and
Education.
(b) Each police chief must receive at least 40 hours of
continuing education provided by the institute under this section
each 24-month period. The Commission on Law Enforcement Officer
Standards and Education by rule shall establish a uniform
24-month continuing education training period.
(c) An individual appointed or elected to that individual's
first position as chief must receive not fewer than 80 hours of
initial training for new chiefs in accordance with Subsections
(d) and (e).
(d) A newly appointed or elected police chief shall complete the
initial training program for new chiefs not later than the second
anniversary of that individual's appointment or election as
chief. The initial training program for new chiefs is in
addition to the initial training and continuing education
required by Chapter 1701, Occupations Code. The Commission on
Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education by rule shall
establish that the first continuing education training period for
an individual under Subsection (b) begins on the first day of the
first uniform continuing education training period that follows
the date the individual completed the initial training program.
(e) The institute by rule may provide for the waiver of:
(1) the requirement of all or part of the 80 hours of initial
training for new chiefs to the extent the new chief has
satisfactorily completed equivalent training in the 24 months
preceding the individual's appointment or election; or
(2) the continuing education requirements of Subsection (b) for
an individual who has satisfactorily completed equivalent
continuing education in the preceding 24 months.
(f) An individual who is subject to the continuing education
requirements of Subsection (b) is exempt from other continuing
education requirements under Subchapter H, Chapter 1701,
Occupations Code.
(g) In this section, "police chief" or "chief" means the head of
a police department.
(h) The chief of a municipal police department must be licensed
as a peace officer by the commission no later than one year after
the date that the chief is appointed to the position of police
chief. The commission shall establish requirements for licensing
and for revocation, suspension, cancellation, or denial of peace
officer license for a police chief.
(i) A police chief who does not comply with this section cannot
continue to be the chief.
(j) As part of the initial training and continuing education for
police chiefs required under this section, the institute shall
establish a program on asset forfeiture under Chapter 59, Code of
Criminal Procedure. The program must include an examination of
the best practices for educating peace officers about asset
forfeiture and monitoring peace officers' compliance with laws
relating to asset forfeiture.
(k) As part of the initial training and continuing education for
police chiefs required under this section, the institute shall
establish a program on racial profiling. The program must include
an examination of the best practices for:
(1) monitoring peace officers' compliance with laws and internal
agency policies relating to racial profiling;
(2) implementing laws and internal agency policies relating to
preventing racial profiling; and
(3) analyzing and reporting collected information.
(l) As part of the initial training and continuing education for
police chiefs required under this section, the institute shall
establish a program on de-escalation and crisis intervention
techniques to facilitate interaction with persons with mental
impairments. The program must include an examination of the best
practices for:
(1) monitoring peace officers' compliance with internal agency
policies relating to de-escalation and crisis intervention
techniques to facilitate interaction with persons with mental
impairments; and
(2) implementing internal agency policies relating to those
techniques.
(m) A police chief may not satisfy the requirements of
Subsection (l) by taking an online course on de-escalation and
crisis intervention techniques to facilitate interaction with
persons with mental impairments.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 770, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1997. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 929, Sec. 4, eff.
Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 947, Sec. 3, eff. Sept.
1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.740, eff. Sept.
1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1275, Sec. 2(47), eff. Sept.
1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.
393, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
278, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.
Sec. 96.65. CRIME VICTIMS' INSTITUTE. (a) In this section:
(1) "Close relative of a deceased victim" has the meaning
assigned by Article 56.01, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(2) "Guardian of a victim" has the meaning assigned by Article
56.01, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(3) "Institute" means the Crime Victims' Institute.
(4) "Victim" has the meaning assigned by Article 56.01, Code of
Criminal Procedure.
(b) It is the intent of the legislature to create an institute
to:
(1) compile and study information concerning the impact of crime
on:
(A) victims;
(B) close relatives of deceased victims;
(C) guardians of victims; and
(D) society;
(2) use information compiled by the institute to evaluate the
effectiveness of criminal justice policy and juvenile justice
policy in preventing the victimization of society by crime;
(3) develop policies to assist the criminal justice system and
the juvenile justice system in preventing the victimization of
society by crime; and
(4) provide information related to the studies of the institute.
(c) The headquarters of the institute are at Sam Houston State
University in Huntsville, Texas. The institute is under the
supervision and direction of the president of Sam Houston State
University.
(d) The institute shall:
(1) conduct an in-depth analysis of the impact of crime on:
(A) victims;
(B) close relatives of deceased victims;
(C) guardians of victims; and
(D) society;
(2) evaluate the effectiveness of and deficiencies in the
criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system in
addressing the needs of victims, close relatives of deceased
victims, and guardians of victims and recommend strategies to
address the deficiencies of each system;
(3) determine the long-range needs of victims, close relatives
of deceased victims, and guardians of victims as the needs relate
to the criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system
and recommend changes for each system;
(4) assess the cost-effectiveness of existing policies and
programs in the criminal justice system and the juvenile justice
system relating to victims, close relatives of deceased victims,
and guardians of victims;
(5) make general recommendations for improving the service
delivery systems for victims in the State of Texas;
(6) advise and assist the legislature in developing plans,
programs, and legislation for improving the effectiveness of the
criminal justice system and juvenile justice system in addressing
the needs of victims, close relatives of deceased victims, and
guardians of victims;
(7) make computations of daily costs and compare interagency
costs on victims' services provided by agencies that are a part
of the criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system;
(8) determine the costs to attorneys representing the state of
performing statutory and constitutional duties relating to
victims, close relatives of deceased victims, or guardians of
victims;
(9) make statistical computations for use in planning for the
long-range needs of the criminal justice system and the juvenile
justice system as those needs relate to victims, close relatives
of deceased victims, and guardians of victims;
(10) determine the long-range information needs of the criminal
justice system and the juvenile justice system as those needs
relate to victims, close relatives of deceased victims, and
guardians of victims;
(11) enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Texas
Crime Victim Clearinghouse to provide training and education
related to the outcome of research and duties as conducted under
Subdivisions (1)-(10);
(12) issue periodic reports to the attorney general and the
legislature on the progress toward accomplishing the duties of
the institute; and
(13) engage in other research activities consistent with the
duties of the institute.
(e) The institute shall cooperate with the Criminal Justice
Policy Council in performing the duties of the institute.
(f) The institute may enter into memoranda of understanding with
state agencies in performing the duties of the institute.
(g) Local law enforcement agencies shall cooperate with the
institute by providing to the institute access to information
that is necessary for the performance of the duties of the
institute.
(h) The president of Sam Houston State University may employ
personnel as necessary to perform the duties of the institute.
(i) The institute may contract with public or private entities
in the performance of the duties of the institute.
(j) The institute may accept gifts, grants, donations, or
matching funds from a public or private source for the
performance of the duties of the institute. The legislature may
appropriate money to the institute to finance the performance of
the duties of the institute. Money and appropriations received by
the institute under this subsection shall be deposited as
provided by Section 96.652.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 485, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1995. Redesignated and amended from Government Code Sec. 412.001,
412.002, 412.011 to 412.016 by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 927,
Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Sec. 96.651. CRIME VICTIMS' INSTITUTE ADVISORY COUNCIL. (a) In
this section:
(1) "Advisory council" means the Crime Victims' Institute
Advisory Council.
(2) "Victim" has the meaning assigned by Article 56.01, Code of
Criminal Procedure.
(b) The Crime Victims' Institute Advisory Council is created as
an advisory council to the Crime Victims' Institute.
(c) The advisory council is composed of the attorney general and
the following individuals, each of whom is appointed by the
governor:
(1) a victim;
(2) a member of the house of representatives;
(3) a member of the senate;
(4) a county judge or district judge whose primary
responsibility is to preside over criminal cases;
(5) a district attorney, criminal district attorney, county
attorney who prosecutes felony offenses, or county attorney who
prosecutes mostly criminal cases;
(6) a law enforcement officer;
(7) a crime victims' assistance coordinator;
(8) a crime victims' liaison;
(9) a mental health professional with substantial experience in
the care and treatment of victims;
(10) a person with broad knowledge of sexual assault issues;
(11) a person with broad knowledge of domestic violence issues;
(12) a person with broad knowledge of child abuse issues;
(13) a person with broad knowledge of issues relating to the
intoxication offenses described by Chapter 49, Penal Code;
(14) a person with broad knowledge of homicide issues;
(15) a person with broad knowledge of research methods; and
(16) a designee of the governor.
(d) The advisory council shall select a presiding officer from
among the council members and other officers that the council
considers necessary.
(e) The advisory council shall meet at the call of the presiding
officer.
(f) Appointed members of the advisory council serve for
staggered two-year terms, with the terms of eight of the members
expiring on January 31 of each even-numbered year and the terms
of eight members expiring on January 31 of each odd-numbered
year.
(g) Service on the advisory council by a public officer or
employee is an additional duty of the office or employment.
(h) A member of the advisory council serves without compensation
for service on the council but may be reimbursed for actual and
necessary expenses incurred while performing council duties.
(i) The advisory council may establish advisory task forces or
committees that the council considers necessary to accomplish the
purposes of this section and Sections 96.65 and 96.652.
(j) The advisory council shall advise the Crime Victims'
Institute on issues relating directly to the duties of the
institute as set forth under Section 96.65(d).
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 485, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1995. Redesignated and amended from Government Code Sec. 412.051
to 412.057 by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 927, Sec. 1, eff. Sept.
1, 2003.
Sec. 96.652. CRIME VICTIMS' INSTITUTE ACCOUNT; AUDIT; REPORT.
(a) The Crime Victims' Institute account is an account in the
general revenue fund.
(b) The Crime Victims' Institute may use funds from the Crime
Victims' Institute account to carry out the purposes of this
section and Sections 96.65 and 96.651.
(c) The comptroller shall deposit the funds received under
Section 96.65 to the credit of the Crime Victims' Institute
account.
(d) Funds spent are subject to audit by the state auditor.
(e) The Crime Victims' Institute shall file annually with the
governor and the presiding officer of each house of the
legislature a complete and detailed written report accounting for
all funds received and disbursed by the institute during the
preceding year. The form of the annual report and the reporting
time shall be as provided by the General Appropriations Act. The
Crime Victims' Institute shall determine the format and contents
of the report and may have copies of the report printed for
distribution as the institute considers appropriate.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 485, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1995. Redesignated and amended from Government Code Sec. 412.081,
412.082 by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 927, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
2003.
SUBCHAPTER E. LAMAR UNIVERSITY AND RELATED INSTITUTIONS
Sec. 96.701. LAMAR UNIVERSITY. Lamar University is a
coeducational institution of higher education located in the city
of Beaumont. The university is under the management and control
of the board of regents, Texas State University System.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1061, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1,
1995.
Sec. 96.702. SPINDLETOP MEMORIAL MUSEUM. The board may create
the Spindletop Memorial Museum at Lamar University and may
administer the museum as the board considers appropriate.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1061, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1,
1995.
Sec. 96.703. LAMAR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. (a) In the city of
Beaumont, the board shall establish and maintain a lower-division
institution of higher education as a separate degree-granting
institution to be known as Lamar Institute of Technology.
(b) The primary purpose of the institute is to teach technical
and vocational courses and related supporting courses. The board
may confer degrees appropriate to the institute's curriculum.
(c) Repealed by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 287, Sec. 17,
eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1061, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1,
1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 767, Sec. 1, eff. June
18, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 2, eff. June 15,
2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
287, Sec. 15, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
287, Sec. 17, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 96.704. LAMAR STATE COLLEGE--PORT ARTHUR AND LAMAR STATE
COLLEGE--ORANGE. (a) The board shall establish and maintain
coeducational lower-division institutions of higher education as
separate accredited degree-granting institutions in the counties
of Jefferson and Orange, to be known as Lamar State College--
Port Arthur and Lamar State College-- Orange, to teach only
freshman- and sophomore-level courses.
(b) The board may acquire, construct, or otherwise make
provision for adequate physical facilities for use by Lamar State
College-- Port Arthur and Lamar State College-- Orange and may
accept and administer, on terms and conditions satisfactory to
the board, grants or gifts of money or property tendered by any
reason for the use and benefit of the school.
(c) The board with approval of the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board may prescribe courses leading to customary
degrees. The board may make other rules and regulations for the
operation, control, and management of Lamar State College-- Port
Arthur and Lamar State College-- Orange as are necessary for each
institution to be a first-class institution for freshman and
sophomore students.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the
powers of the board as conferred by law.
(e) For Lamar State College-- Port Arthur and Lamar State
College-- Orange, the board may expend funds allocated to Lamar
University under Chapter 62 for any of the purposes listed in
Section 17, Article VII, Texas Constitution, in the same manner
and under the same circumstances as expenditures for those
purposes for other separate degree-granting institutions.
(f) A reference in state law to Lamar University at Port Arthur
means Lamar State College--Port Arthur. A reference in state law
to Lamar University at Orange means Lamar State College--Orange.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1061, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1,
1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 767, Sec. 2, eff. June
18, 1999.
Sec. 96.705. APPLICATION OF OTHER LAW. All other provisions of
law, including provisions for student fees, applicable to
institutions of the Texas State University System apply to Lamar
University and its educational centers.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1061, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1,
1995.
Sec. 96.706. HAZARDOUS WASTE RESEARCH CENTER. (a) The
Hazardous Waste Research Center is established at Lamar
University at Beaumont. The center is under the authority of the
board of regents of the Texas State University System. The center
may employ such personnel as are necessary.
(b) The center shall carry out a program of research,
evaluation, testing, development, and demonstration of
alternative or innovative technologies that may be used in
minimization, destruction, or handling of hazardous wastes to
achieve better protection of human health and the environment.
(c) The center shall provide coordination of the activities of a
consortium of Texas universities initially consisting of the
Texas Engineering Experiment Station of The Texas A&M
University System, the University of Houston, The University of
Texas at Austin, and Lamar University at Beaumont, and other
entities that may become affiliated.
(d) The center shall develop and maintain a database relevant to
the programs of the center.
(e) The programs of the center may include:
(1) primary and secondary research;
(2) collection, analysis, and dissemination of information;
(3) the development of public policy recommendations;
(4) training related to the handling and management of hazardous
waste;
(5) evaluation of technologies for the treatment and disposal of
hazardous wastes;
(6) demonstration projects and pilot studies of processing,
storage, and destruction technologies; and
(7) other services consistent with the purposes of the program.
(f) In carrying out its established programs, the center may
enter into agreements with:
(1) the members of the Texas Consortium;
(2) other universities in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Alabama, Florida, and other states;
(3) private research organizations; and
(4) industry.
(g) A policy board is created to determine the policies for
program research, evaluation, testing, development,
demonstration, intellectual property rights, and peer review. The
policy board consists of each member of the consortium. The
governing board of each institution of higher education belonging
to the consortium shall appoint an individual to serve as a
member of the policy board.
(h) The institutions of higher education that are members of the
policy board shall appoint an advisory council to develop
recommendations on the priorities for research and to serve as a
resource group on the projects. Each institution shall appoint
two members from private industry and two other members to serve
for terms to be set by the policy board.
(i) The center shall seek grant and contract support from
federal and other sources to the extent possible and accept gifts
and donations to support its purposes and programs.
(j) The center may receive state-appropriated funds as
considered appropriate by the legislature.
(k) Disbursement of funds received by the center on behalf of
the consortium shall be on an equitable basis and in accordance
with policy determined by the policy board subject to laws of the
state and policies of member institutions. Disbursement policy
shall recognize the need for core program support at each
consortium institution, matching requirements for federal grants
and contracts, general administration, and new initiatives.
Disbursement of funds received in response to specific proposals
shall be in accordance with those proposals.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1061, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1,
1995.
Sec. 96.707. TEXAS ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP IN THE HUMANITIES. (a)
The Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities is established
as a two-year program at Lamar University at Beaumont for
secondary school students selected under this section. The
academy is under the management and control of the board of
regents of the Texas State University System.
(b) The goals of the academy are to:
(1) provide gifted and talented secondary school students with
accelerated academic experiences to ensure success as
undergraduates with advanced standing;
(2) encourage those students to develop their full leadership
potential and their ethical decision-making capabilities;
(3) provide those students with academic and social role models
and mentors to motivate them to pursue academic excellence and
self-direction;
(4) provide a model setting for the training of teachers in the
educational materials and methods appropriate for gifted
learners;
(5) encourage the cooperation of business leaders and Lamar
University staff to provide practical settings and experiences
for those students through independent study, shadowing, and
mentorship;
(6) establish a setting to support necessary research to
determine the academy's effectiveness and to disseminate results
of that research; and
(7) promote the active involvement of parents in all educational
programs of the academy.
(c) To be eligible for admission to the academy, a student must:
(1) complete and file with the board, on a form prescribed by
the board, an application for admission and a written essay on a
topic selected by the board;
(2) have successfully completed 10th grade in school;
(3) be nominated by a teacher, school administrator, parent,
community leader, or another secondary school student;
(4) submit to the board two written recommendations from
teachers;
(5) have a composite score on an assessment test that is equal
to or greater than the equivalent of 1,000 on the Scholastic
Aptitude Test;
(6) have a language score on an assessment test that is equal to
or greater than the equivalent of 550 on the Scholastic Aptitude
Test; and
(7) have complied with any other requirements adopted by the
board under this subchapter.
(d) The board shall recruit minority secondary school students
to apply for admission to the academy.
(e) The board shall select for admission to the academy eligible
students based on additional testing required by the board and on
a personal interview by a selection committee appointed by the
board. If the board selects an eligible student for admission to
the academy, the board shall send written notice to the student
and the student's school district.
(f) The board shall establish a tuition and fee scholarship for
each student who enrolls in the academy. A student who enrolls in
the academy is responsible for room, board, and book costs and
must live in a residence determined by board rule.
(g) The academy courses are taught by the faculty members of
Lamar University. The board may employ additional staff for the
academy.
(h) The board shall provide each student enrolled in the academy
with a mentor who is a faculty member at Lamar University to
assist the student in completing the student's course of study in
the academy.
(i) A student of the academy may attend a college course offered
by Lamar University and receive college credit for that course.
(j) The board may accept gifts and grants from a public or
private source for the academy.
(k) For each student enrolled in the academy, the academy is
entitled to allotments from the Foundation School Program under
Chapter 42 as if the academy were a school district, except that
the academy has a local share applied that is equivalent to the
local fund assignment of the Beaumont Independent School
District.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1061, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1,
1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1071, Sec. 25, eff.
Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 96.708. LAMAR UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN DEAF
STUDIES AND DEAF EDUCATION. (a) In this section:
(1) "Board" means the board of regents of the Texas State
University System.
(2) "Center" means the Lamar University Center for Excellence in
Deaf Studies and Deaf Education.
(b) The board shall establish the Lamar University Center for
Excellence in Deaf Studies and Deaf Education for the purposes of
advancing deaf education programs in Texas by:
(1) collaborating with the Department of Assistive and
Rehabilitative Services and the Texas School for the Deaf to
assess deaf education needs in this state and strategies to
address those needs;
(2) studying bilingual education programs for the deaf;
(3) studying improved teacher training; and
(4) studying the incorporation of technology into deaf
education.
(c) The center shall develop a strategic plan to guide and
evaluate the center's progress toward achieving the purposes of
the center in accordance with this section. The strategic plan
must:
(1) describe the goals, objectives, and performance standards
for each of the center's programs and how those programs help the
center to achieve its purposes;
(2) assess the needs of the center's programs and faculty; and
(3) assess the center's need for new initiatives.
(d) The organization, control, and management of the center are
vested in the board.
(e) The board shall select a location for the center at Lamar
University.
(f) The board may solicit, accept, and administer gifts and
grants from any public or private source for the use and benefit
of the center.
(g) The board may use any available funds, including legislative
appropriations made to Lamar University for instruction,
operations, or infrastructure support, federal funds, or gifts or
grants to establish or operate the center.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.
1009, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.