UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
2009 STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Tier One
Research Development Fund,
Texas Competitive Knowledge Fund,
and Texas Research Incentive Fund
Creating more top tier universities in Texas will require a tremendous amount of resources (approximately $50 million in recurring funding annually per university).
To help reach this goal, the Legislature should enhance the Research Development Fund and the Texas Competitive Knowledge Fund (based on federal research expenditures) and create the Texas Research Incentive Fund (TRIP). The first two funds support research infrastructure and research faculty. The third would provide matching funds for major gifts at emerging research universities.
Current state appropriations directed to research excellence are as follows:
Research Development Fund |
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| UH: |
$ 7,494,929 per year | ||
| Total: |
$25,371,502 per year | ||
Competitive Knowledge Fund |
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| UH: |
$ 4,099,811 per year | ||
| Total: |
$46,603,810 per year |
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This approach would facilitate the creation of stronger centers of research excellence at Texas universities, the development and commercialization of new technologies by industry, and the creation of new companies and jobs—all of which would enhance quality of life in Texas.
Base Funding
Formula Funding
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has recommended a formula increase of $445 million. The recommended amount was determined by adjusting current appropriations for estimated enrollment growth of 6.79 % and cost increases of 7.08 %. It is imperative to provide adequate funding for the core educational services of universities through the formulas.
Without sufficient resources universities will see increased student/faculty ratios, reduced class offerings, fewer mentoring opportunities resulting in longer time to graduation, faculty losses, fewer graduates and less research.
Coordinating Board Recommended Course Completion
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has recommended a significant change in the way that formula rates are calculated by changing the long-held tradition of calculating semester credit hours from courses attempted to courses completed. This would result in a major redistribution of limited state resources away from universities who face significant challenges in terms of student persistence and graduation in favor of traditional universities that already have the highest graduation rates in the state.
When it was created in the 1960s, the formula system was intended to equitably distribute resources to universities on a balanced, fair and predictable basis, while taking into account the various missions of the universities. When the formulas are modified they become an unpredictable source of funding.
Pharmacy Formulas
Formula funding allocated for health-related courses at academic institutions are lower than for similar courses conducted at health-related institutions. The UH System, along with similarly affected institutions, has requested parity.
Incentive Funding
In the 2007 legislative session, approximately $80 million was appropriated for a new incentive funding program for the second year of the biennium. This new source of funding should be continued, but not in lieu of increases in base funding, and should also be based on the individual performance of each institution.
Financial Aid: TEXAS Grants, Work Study
State funding for student financial aid is essential if Texas is to expand access to higher education and facilitate student graduation. This is especially true at the UH System institutions, where the education of many of our students is not paid for by their families. Most of our students typically work to pay for college and rely heavily on financial aid. Therefore, the UH System encourages the legislature to increase funding for TEXAS Grants and Work Study.
Tuition
With continued enrollment growth and unpredictable revenue streams, it is important that universities have the flexibility to assess appropriate charges in order to maintain course offerings and quality.
Hurricane Ike
The University of Houston, UH-Clear Lake, UH-Downtown, and the UH System at Sugar Land each suffered damage from Hurricane Ike. Once it is determined how much support FEMA and insurance will provide, we will request the balance from state revenues.
Staff Salary Increases
If the Legislature authorizes state employee salary increases, higher education staff should be funded as well.
Special/Exceptional Items
University of Houston |
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| Health Sciences Research Cluster | $5.0 million |
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| Energy Research Cluster | $5.0 million |
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| Complex Systems Research Cluster | $5.0 million |
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| Education/Community Advancement Research Cluster | $1.5 million |
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| Small Business Development Center | $908,000 |
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Wind Blade Facility/UH
In addition to the special items noted above, UH is requesting the re-appropriation of the unexpended balances for the Wind Blade Testing Facility. Because of interpretations regarding expenditure of general revenue for capital construction found in Article VII, Section 17 of the Texas Constitution, UH has been unable to use money appropriated by the last session to construct the National Wind Blade Testing Facility. This would not be a new cost to the state.
University of Houston-Clear Lake |
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| Pearland Area Educational Partnership | $2,862,770 |
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| Houston Partnership for Environmental Studies | $1,245,000 |
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| Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities | $1,035,000 |
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| Advanced Science Instrumentation Enhancement Project | $1,300,000 |
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| High Technologies Laboratory | $452,000 |
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University of Houston-Downtown |
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| Expansion of Community Development Program | $765,000 |
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| Scholars Academy | $1,600,000 |
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| Behavioral Health Program | $132,000 |
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| House of Tiny Treasures | $441,600 |
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University of Houston-Victoria |
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| Allied Health | $1,050,000 |
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| Economic Development | $820,000 |
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University of Houston System Administration |
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| Texas Aerospace Scholars | $168,122 |
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Capital Construction
Higher Education Fund
The Higher Education Fund was established in the Texas Constitution in 1984. The fund is allocated on a formula substantially based on the Coordinating Board space deficit model and may be reallocated every five years and must be reallocated every ten years. A committee appointed by the CB has recommended a reallocation in 2009 (the fifth year cycle).
Tuition Revenue Bonds
As part of our Legislative Appropriations Requests, the UH System has submitted proposals for Tuition Revenue Bond projects as follows:
University of Houston |
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| Energy and Wind Research Building | $83,000,000 |
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| Bio-Life Sciences Research Building | $75,000,000 |
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| Multi-Cultural Studies Complex | $27,000,000 |
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University of Houston-Clear Lake |
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| Academic Enrichment and Research Facility | $68,600,000 |
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University of Houston-Downtown |
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| Science and Technology Building | $51,429,000 |
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University of Houston-Victoria |
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| Health and Kinesiology Education Building | $30,500,000 |
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Institutional Issues
Four-Year Expansion of UH-Clear Lake and UH-Victoria
In the 1970s many states created upper-level institutions to meet enrollment demands. Most states have converted those institutions to four-year universities and only two remain in Texas , UHCL and UHV. Both of these universities have worked with area community colleges and have support for this expansion.
UH-Downtown Name Change
Because the names are so similar, there is often confusion between the University of Houston and the University of Houston-Downtown. The UH System seeks to rectify this confusion and ensure separate identities by renaming UHD.
