ASU Degree Plans Could Be Phased Out?
By: KLST News
Updated: March 14, 2013
The Next Several Months Look To Be Crucial For Degree Programs At 58 Publicly Funded Texas Colleges And Universities Including Angelo State University.
The Reason is that Graduation Rates Were Below Required State Levels. The Degree Programs Are Being Phased Out At Dozens Of Texas Universities Including A-S-U.
Over The Course Of Five Years A Minimum Of 25 Students Are Required To Graduate From Specific Degree Programs.
If Schools Do Not Meet Those Requirements The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Has The Authority To Close Or Consolidate Degree Programs.
Dominic Chavez Director of the Higher Education Coordinating Board says that "If They're Simply Not Able To Demonstrate That One There Is A Whole Lot Of Student Demand For That Program And Or Two They're Not Very Successful In Helping Students Complete That Program, Well That Suggests That If You Were To Close Or Consolidate That Program, That You Can Take Those Resources And Push Them Into Programs That Are In Higher Demand Or Push Them Into Services That Can Help Students Complete At Higher Levels In Other Programs. It Is About The Efficient Deployment Of Resources."
The Goal Of The Texas Higher Education Board Is To Help Universities Use Their Resources Efficiently But Some Disagree That The Board Should Have The Authority To Close Degree Programs At Texas Universities.
72Nd District State Representative Drew Darby Who Represents San Angelo Explains Why.
"While The Coordinating Perhaps Should And Could Continue To Advise As To These Programs, I Do Not Think They Should Have The Power To Close Or Suspend Any Programs At Any Of These Universities . These Are Local Decisions That Should Be Made By Local Campus Leaders"
Right Now State Lawmakers Are Considering Two Bills That Would Shift The Power Of The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board To A University's Board Of Regents .
House Bill 1261 And Senate Bill 857 Will Affect Universities Across Texas Including ASU .
