Late Wednesday night, the Senate passed House Bill 15, an emergency appropriations bill. That bill included $38.6 million for Texas Southern University. However, TSU cannot receive those dollars unless legislation is passed to address the financial issues at the university or unless a conservator is appointed.

Let me repeat that: $38.6 million for TSU is dependent upon the passage of legislation to address financial and administrative issues at TSU.

The $38.6 million breaks down as follows (see exact language below):

$25 million in "academic development initiative" funds, otherwise known as Office of Civil Rights (OCR) dollars.

$13.6 million to pay for deferred maintenance costs at the university, making emergency repairs, and paying outstanding expenses.

If any legislator attempts to kill TSU-related legislation in the final days of the session, then that person will also jeopardize the university's opportunity to receive these important funds, and may in fact guarantee that a conservator is appointed to TSU.

PLEASE CALL the following House Members, and urge them to support the Ellis/Coleman amendment to HB 3851 that contains language relating to Texas Southern University.

Rep. Warren Chisum

Appropriations Chair

(512) 463-0736

 

Rep. Sylvester Turner

Speaker Pro Tempore

(512) 463-0554

 

Rep. Geanie Morrison

Author of HB 3851

(512) 463-0456

 

Urge them to support the Ellis/Coleman amendment for the following reasons:

The Ellis/Coleman amendment to HB 3851 will prevent a conservator from being appointed to Texas Southern University.

The Ellis/Coleman amendment to HB 3851 will guarantee that TSU receives $38.6 million in much-needed funds for Texas Southern University.

The Ellis/Coleman amendment to HB 3851 will hold the Governor and his appointees accountable and ensure the state of Texas is being held responsible for its stewardship of its university by creating a rehab plan complete with benchmarks and progress reports.

I sincerely appreciate your help, and I promise to continue doing everything in my power to protect the independence of Texas Southern University.

Sincerely,

 

Garnet Coleman

 

 

Here is the language added to House Bill 15:

SECTION 9 :

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY: CONTINGENCY

APPROPRIATION FOR DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND OTHER EXPENSES.

(a) Subject to Subsection (b) of this section, and in addition to amounts previously appropriated for the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2007, the amount of $13,645,120 is appropriated out of the general revenue fund to Texas Southern University for the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act for the purpose of providing deferred maintenance, paying outstanding expenses, making emergency maintenance repairs, paying contract deficits, paying audit and legal costs, providing funding for summer school, and providing funding for the TSU/HISD Charter School.

(b) The appropriation made by Subsection (a) of this section is contingent on the occurrence of either:

(1) the enactment and becoming law of Senate Bill No.2039 or similar legislation by the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007; or

(2) the appointment of a conservator for Texas Southern University under Chapter 2104, Government Code.

 

SECTION 10: TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY: CONTINGENCY

APPROPRIATION FOR ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.

(a) Subject to Subsection (b) of this section, and in addition to other amounts appropriated for the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2009, that may be used for this purpose, the following amounts are appropriated out of the general revenue fund to Texas Southern University for the Academic Development Initiative:

(1) $12,500,000 is appropriated for the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2008; and

(2) $12,500,000 and any unexpended balance of the amount appropriated under Subdivision (1) of this subsection are appropriated for the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2009.

(b) The appropriations made by Subsection (a) of this section are contingent on the occurrence of either:

(1) the enactment and becoming law of Senate Bill No.2039 or similar legislation by the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007; or

(2) the appointment of a conservator for Texas Southern University under Chapter 2104, Government Code.

(c) The amounts appropriated by Subsection (a) of this section shall be used for:

(1) proven academic success programs;

(2) existing graduate programs;

(3) undergraduate education; and

(4) initiatives to target enrollment growth.

(d) Not later than November 1 of each fiscal year, the university shall submit to the Texas Southern University Board of Regents, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Legislative Budget Board, and the governor a report describing the use of the funds appropriated by Subsection (a) of this section that states the goals to be achieved through use of the funds and establishes timelines and milestones for showing progress in meeting the goals. The report shall include proposed actions to be taken in the event a milestone is not met.