Chairman Branch spoke to a crowd of hundreds of community college students, faculty and presidents huddled at the South Steps on a blistery day in Austin for their biannual Community College Day at the Capitol.  Branch also authored House Resolution 230, which formally recognized the Community College Day attendees on the House Floor.

Chairman Branch addressed the student representatives of every college in the Texas A&M System at the Agricultural Museum at the Texas Capitol on Feb 2, 2011.  Branch emphasized the importance of our education infrastructure, and challenged every student in the room to complete their degrees, to aid our ability in solving the many infrastructure challenges facing our rapidly growing state.

Chairman Branch was honored by Brazosport College President, Dr. Valek, for his championing of community college issues during the current budget process. Sponsoring the event was Rep. Dennis Bonnen, who Chairman Branch provided a gift to for being a key aid in the Top 10% Reform negotiations, including authoring an amendment that assists Top 10% students who attend community colleges first before utilizing their Top 10% slot.

February 4, 2011

Reeve Hamilton

Hey, Texplainer: What do people mean when they say a university is "tier one?"

Great question. There’s no universal definition of the term, so unfortunately, there’s no great answer.

Essentially, the name refers to the country’s top research-focused universities, also referred to as “national research universities.” But some of the benchmarks to be considered part of that group are not clear or rely purely on perception — which can be difficult to change. 

February 3, 2011

Kolby Flowers

University President Dana Gibson, Ph.D., responded to a recently published state budget estimate which recommended a five percent cut to higher education.

The recommendations, which come from the state legislature, would implement a 37 percent reduction to the Texas Higher Education Board, which provides grant money to students.

February 1, 2011

Ralph K.M. Haurwitz

Voters made it part of the Texas Constitution in 1876: The Legislature shall establish and maintain the University of Texas as "a university of the first class."

The constitution doesn't define "first class," but UT would appear to qualify.

It has been a member of the Association of American Universities, a group of leading research universities in the United States and Canada, since 1929. Numerous programs — including accounting, Latin American history, and chemical, petroleum and civil engineering — are standouts. Its research expenditures exceed $500 million a year, an economic boon for the region and state. U.S. News & World Report ranks UT 13th among public universities .