The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board) proposes amendments to Chapter 4, Subchapter B, §4.32, concerning students enrolled at more than one institution, and §4.33, concerning the review schedules for Field of Study curricula.

Section 4.32(d) states that students who are enrolled in more than one institution of higher education shall follow the Field of Study curriculum requirements at the institution where a student is a degree-seeking student. However, because a Field of Study is the same for all public institutions of higher education, §4.32(d) is redundant. Section 4.32(d) is repealed in the proposed changes.

The proposed amendments eliminate a contradiction in the two sections about the scheduling of compliance reports. Section 4.32(f) required a report every ten years, and §4.33 required a report every five years. Section 4.32(f) is repealed in the proposed changes and §4.33 is clarified to state that the compliance report shall follow the same schedule as accreditation reports. Section 4.33(c) is added to establish a review schedule for updating existing Fields of Study.

Dr. Rex C. Peebles, Assistant Commissioner for Academic Quality and Workforce, has determined that for the first five years there will be no fiscal implications for state or local governments as a result of revising the sections.

Dr. Peebles has also determined that for the first five years the rules are in effect, the public benefits anticipated as a result of administering the sections will be clarification for students about Field of Study policies for students enrolled in multiple institutions, clarification for institutions about the submission schedule for Field of Study compliance reports, and direction for advisory committees about the update schedule for existing Fields of Study. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed. There is no impact on local employment.

There will be no impact on small businesses, micro-businesses or rural communities, as described in Texas Government Code, Chapter 2006, and therefore an Economic Impact analysis is not required.

Government Growth Impact Statement

(1) the rules will not create or eliminate a government program;

(2) implementation of the rules will not require the creation or elimination of employee positions;

(3) implementation of the rules will not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency;

(4) the rules will not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency;

(5) the rules will not create a new rule;

(6) the rules will not limit an existing rule;

(7) the rules will not change the number of individuals subject to the rule; and

(8) the rules will have no effect on the state's economy.

Comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted by mail to Rex C. Peebles, Assistant Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711 or via email at AQWComments@THECB.state.tx.us. Comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the proposal in the Texas Register.

The amendments are proposed under the Texas Government Code, Chapter 61, §61.823(e), which provides the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board the authority to periodically review Field of Study curricula.

The amendments affect the implementation of Texas Education Code, Chapter 4.