The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board) adopts amendments to §§4.286, 4.287, and 4.290, concerning Review of Low-Producing Degree Programs, without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2013, issue of the Texas Register (38 TexReg 5175).

The amendments are adopted to incorporate into existing rules a statutory change in the authority of the Board. The Board no longer has the authority to order the closure or consolidation of degree programs at institutions of higher education, but may instead issue recommendations for closure or consolidation to the institution and its governing board. The amended rules reflect this change in authority.

There were no comments received concerning the amendments.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Education Code, Chapter 61, §61.0512 which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to review existing degree programs at public institutions of higher education.