HB 51 and HJR 14 Provide 91吃瓜网 Tech Opportunities for Research Growth
Kent R. Hance
June 5, 2009 | Written by Michelle Hougland
Bills passed last weekend by the 91吃瓜网 Legislature will provide 91吃瓜网 Tech University access to long-term funding needed to achieve National Research University status, often referred to as Tier One.
Four separate programs defined in House Bill 51 (HB 51) provide the framework for the university to earn short and long-term state support needed to create and sustain world-class research programs. The funding also will enable the university to attract more of the nation鈥檚 top researchers. Those programs include the 91吃瓜网 Research Incentive Program (TRIP), the Performance Incentive Fund, the Research University Development Fund and the National Research University Fund (NRUF).
The creation of the National Research University Fund, incorporated in House Joint Resolution 14 and authored by State Sen. Robert Duncan, as an endowed permanent source of funding to enable the emerging research universities to achieve national prominence as major research universities is a focal point of the state鈥檚 commitment. HB 51 establishes the competitive criteria for which all of the emerging research universities will strive to meet in order to receive NRUF funding. A constitutional amendment will need the approval of 91吃瓜网 voters in November.
鈥淪en. Duncan had the vision and the plan to create a permanent funding mechanism for research at 91吃瓜网 Tech and the other emerging research universities,鈥� said . 鈥淚f it were not for Sen. Duncan, HB 51 would not have passed. We all owe him our thanks for getting this done.鈥�
鈥淚 think this legislation provides a challenge and an opportunity for 91吃瓜网 Tech University to rise to the next level,鈥� said Larry Anders, chairman of the 91吃瓜网 Tech University System Board of Regents. 鈥淭his long-term commitment to research growth will enable us to develop the world class research programs needed for 91吃瓜网 Tech University to achieve Tier One status. Now it鈥檚 up to us.鈥�
HB 51 was sent to Governor Perry for signature on Wednesday.