The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board proposes new §§4.285 - 4.293, relating to Rules Applying to All Public Institutions of Higher Education in Texas. These new sections will establish procedures for annual review of the number of graduates produced by degree programs at institutions of higher education to determine which are low-producing degree programs, and provides remedies for those programs that meet the definition of low-producing.

Dr. MacGregor M. Stephenson, Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Research, has determined that for each year of the first five years the new sections are in effect, there will be no fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules.

Dr. Stephenson has also determined that for each year of the first five years the new sections are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of administering the sections will be to promote efficiency in higher education by reducing the number of programs that produce low numbers of graduates annually. There is no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the sections as proposed. There may be impact to the local employment if degree programs are closed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Dr. MacGregor M. Stephenson, Assistant Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711 or macgregor.stephenson@thecb.state.tx.us. Comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the proposal in the Texas Register.

The new sections are proposed under the Texas Education Code, Chapter 61 which gives the Coordinating Board the authority to regulate the awarding or offering of degrees, credit towards degrees, and the use of certain terms.

The new sections affect implementation of Texas Education Code, Chapter 61, Subchapter C, §61.051(e).