January 19, 2001 UNT Inhouse publications: Regents, THECB discuss closing the gaps

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Regents, THECB discuss closing the gaps

Five members of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board were on campus Jan. 11 to discuss their Closing the Gaps by 2015 initiative with UNT Regents and administrators.

The plan proposes to close the gaps within the state in enrollment and success, close the gaps in excellence by providing high quality educational programs which meet and exceed that of other states, and close the gaps in research by building research centers that go beyond those of other states. The first goal is to recruit 500,000 more students for Texas public universities by 2015.

The coordinating board is meeting with public university educators and governing boards throughout the state to check on progress and determine what is still to be done to reach the closing the gaps goals.

The coordinating board's plan states, "Texas has the opportunity to significantly improve the accessibility and quality of education for its people to enrich the future of both the individual and the state."

It warns, "If the gap in enrollment by ethnic groups is not closed, Texas will have increasingly fewer college students and college graduates."

Finally, it asserts, "Texas must take bold steps for the future success of its people."

The plan's other three goals are:

to increase by 50 percent the number of degrees, certificates and other identifiable student successes from high quality programs;
to substantially increase the number of nationally recognized programs or services at colleges and universities in Texas; and
to increase the level of federal science and engineering research funding to Texas institutions by 50 percent to $1.3 billion.

UNT already is developing strategies to help the THECB close the gaps and accomplish all goals.

More information regarding the Closing the Gaps plan can be seen at www.thecb.stTate.tx.us/divisions/planning/HEPCmte/HEplanFinal.PDF