The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board proposes an amendment to §5.46, concerning Criteria for New Doctoral Programs, by adding alternative criteria for meeting the undergraduate success measure standard. The intent of the amendment is to bring consistency across the Coordinating Board rules and staff procedures for the approval of new doctoral programs. The amendment would specify the alternative undergraduate success measures that an institution must meet in order to satisfy §5.24(b)(5) and to be in line with §5.46(15) of Coordinating Board rules adopted in January 2011. If an institution's six-year baccalaureate graduation rate is below the state average minus The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University, new doctoral programs may still be considered if the institution meets at least two of three alternative criteria.

Dr. MacGregor M. Stephenson, Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Research, has determined that for the first five years there will be no fiscal implications for state or local governments as a result of the amendment.

Dr. Stephenson has also determined that for the first five years the amendments are in effect, the public benefits anticipated as a result of administering the section will be to inform institutions of all of their available options to meet the undergraduate success measures as part of their applications for new doctoral programs. There is no effect on small businesses. 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.

Comments on the proposed amendment may be submitted by mail to MacGregor M. Stephenson, Assistant Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711 or via email at WAARcomments@thecb.state.tx.us. Comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the proposal in the Texas Register.

The amendment is proposed under the Texas Education Code, Chapter 61, Subchapter C, §61.051(e), which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to approve new degree programs at public postsecondary institutions operating in Texas.

The amendment affects the Texas Education Code, Chapter 61, Subchapter C.