(Austin)-- State Representative Garnet F. Coleman (D-Houston) expressed extreme disappointment concerning Governor Perry's decision to place Texas Southern University under conservatorship.

 

"I'm very disappointed Governor Perry has decided to put TSU into conservatorship, a decision that goes against the recommendation made by the TSU Blue Ribbon Panel he appointed," Rep. Coleman said. "It's especially disappointing considering that the current financial problems are problems caused by regents and other individuals Governor Perry appointed himself."

 

Rep. Coleman agrees that increased accountability and oversight is needed at TSU, but disagrees on the method the Governor has chosen to take. There are currently five vacancies on the nine-member Board of Regents for Texas Southern University.

 

"If Governor Perry filled the five vacancies on the Board of Regents for TSU, he would effectively be appointing a new Board that could provide the necessary oversight for the school," Rep. Coleman said. "We should also follow the advice of the Blue Ribbon Panel, who recommended reinstating the accountability rider, 'Rider 5,' for Texas Southern University. I authored the original accountability rider, and it should be put back in place to ensure the financial problems created by Priscilla Slade and Quentin Wiggins are never repeated."

 

Representative Coleman, Senator Rodney Ellis, and thirteen other State Representatives delivered a signed letter to Governor Perry, Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst, and Speaker Tom Craddick against the conservatorship of Texas Southern University. The letter, which is attached with the signatures, read as follows:

 

 

We, the undersigned members, are against conservatorship of Texas Southern University (TSU). We believe there are financial problems to be addressed and solved at TSU, and we are committed to solving those problems. We believe there must be strong oversight from you, but a conservator for TSU will be divisive and will create community strife.

 

In order to prevent such division, we believe there are other methods to manage the necessary improvements for TSU that will ensure we maintain the strong, independent nature of Texas Southern University. The Governor has five open appointments of the nine member Board of Regents for Texas Southern University, which is effectively a new Board for TSU.

 

The current fiscal situation at Texas Southern University is very different from the situation in 1997, which involved financial aid. Since 1997, Texas Southern University had maintained a strong financial history. It was not until questions were raised about the decisions made by the former President and Chief Financial Officer at TSU that any financial issues became evident. One resigned on March 16, 2006, and the other was fired on June 17, 2006. They are currently being dealt with by the criminal justice system.

 

We are eager to work with you on a solution to correct the problems caused by identifiable individuals. However, we cannot overemphasize the extent to which conservatorship of Texas Southern University will be divisive and will create community strife.

 

We are available to meet and discuss this matter with you at any time. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Rep. Garnet Coleman at his office (512-463-0524)[.]