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Wednesday, February 26, 1997

Highlights Tuesday from Austin

AUSTIN (AP) - State universities would have to review tenured professors' performance at least once every six years under a bill passed by the Texas Senate.

The bill by Senate Education Committee Chairman Teel Bivins, R-Amarillo, passed Tuesday and goes to the House for consideration.

Under the measure, universities would be required to establish a system for reviewing tenured professors, whose jobs traditionally have been secure.

An unsatisfactory review could lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal.

The University of Texas System Board of Regents already has announced review guidelines. The Texas A&M University Board of Regents has passed a resolution requiring a review process.

The idea has raised concern among those who say tenure has protected professors who express unpopular ideas, and thus academic freedom. They cite policies that have allowed even tenured professors to be dismissed for cause, such as incompetence.

Supporters of review, however, say they've heard from parents, students and even professors concerned that some faculty slack off after being granted tenure.

"Academic freedom is one of the most important concepts that we have ... but so is accountability to taxpayers," who pick up the bulk of the tab for public higher education, said Bivins. He said his bill would provide a good balance.

Sen. Steve Ogden, whose district includes Texas A&M, opposed the bill and expressed concern about the potential for harmful effects.

"How do we keep this bill from having the very real, unintended consequence of this being used as a political weapon?" asked Ogden, R-Bryan.

Elsewhere:

TOUGHER RULES?

Several hundred senior citizens packed the Capitol to support a measure that would toughen regulations of Texas nursing homes. The bill, by Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin, was considered by the House Human Services Committee. It is expected to be before the committee for about a week before a vote is taken.

TOUGHER PENALTIES

With a proposal to send church arsonists to prison long enough to get religion, a bill to increase the penalty for burning a place of worship has won the endorsement of a Senate committee. Sen. Rodney Ellis' bill would make burning a place of worship a first-degree felony, up from second-degree, requiring a lawbreaker to face a prison term of five to 99 years and as much as a $10,000 fine.

HISTORY LESSON

Wirecutters snapped through barbed wire to open a display about the XIT Ranch, the fabled Panhandle spread that gave Texas its Capitol, crafty government financing and some serious symbols for the word "big." "The XIT Ranch is why we have a Capitol," said Bill Green, who curated the new exhibit at the Capitol Complex Visitors Center.

AND...

The Texas early voting period would be shortened by three days under a bill passed by the Senate and sent to the House.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"We have all been watching our standard of living fall back for four years as prices keep climbing and our pay has been frozen."

- Kathy Newcomer, a Texas School for the Deaf employee and member of the Texas State Employees Union. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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