By Juan Montoya
Even after a majority of the trustees of the Texas Southmost College district has made it clear it is serious about making that institution a free-standing community school separate from UT- Brownsville, Rep. Rene Oliveira's "shell" bill filed in the legislature clings to the "partnership" model favored by TSC-UTB president Juliet Garcia.
In the bill titled numbered 82R7004 JRJ-D and filed by Oliveira as H.B. No. 3689, the wording in it is "a bill to be entitled an act relating to the partnership agreement between The University of Texas at Brownsville and the Texas Southmost College District."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Sections 78.02(c) and (d), Education Code, are amended to read as follows: (c) The university may enter into a partnership agreement with the Texas Southmost [Union Junior] College District in the manner authorized by Subchapter N, Chapter 51, to offer a lower-division, occupational, or technical course that is not offered at the university.
A partnership agreement must include: (1) the responsibilities of each institution under the agreement; (2) a description of the assets, 
property, and personnel to be shared by the institutions under the agreement; (3) a manner of assigning students to each institution based on factors such as the physical capacity of each institution's facilities and the courses and programs in which the students are enrolled; (4) a description of the certificate and degree programs and other curricula to be offered under the agreement and the process for appropriate accreditations; and (5) the manner for dissolving the agreement, including an appropriate disposition of assets and obligations. (d) The university shall, subject to the authority of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, offer basic lower-division courses to support bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degree programs. If the Texas Southmost [Union Junior] College District provides regular operational support for Texas Southmost College and the partnership with the university authorized by Subsection (c), the university may offer additional lower-division courses.
property, and personnel to be shared by the institutions under the agreement; (3) a manner of assigning students to each institution based on factors such as the physical capacity of each institution's facilities and the courses and programs in which the students are enrolled; (4) a description of the certificate and degree programs and other curricula to be offered under the agreement and the process for appropriate accreditations; and (5) the manner for dissolving the agreement, including an appropriate disposition of assets and obligations. (d) The university shall, subject to the authority of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, offer basic lower-division courses to support bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degree programs. If the Texas Southmost [Union Junior] College District provides regular operational support for Texas Southmost College and the partnership with the university authorized by Subsection (c), the university may offer additional lower-division courses.But it is in the section titled "facilities" that those supporting the establishment of two free-standing institutions instead of the "partnership" see red flags. There is no mention of the rent arrears climbing upward of $15 million at all in the bill. The regents of the UT System have claimed that the system is broke and have directed TSC trustees to the legislature to get it.
Likewise, in the last board meeting, trustee Roberto Robles made two motions (that failed), one of which would have requested the Texas Legislature to take over the $102 million in debt owed by TSC taxpayers over the next 23 years as a resulting in bond debt.
The repayment by TSC taxpayers of that debt was required by the "partnership" before the UT System deigned to take over the district and dissolve it.
FACILITIES. The board shall make provisions for adequate physical facilities for use by the university, on land committed by the board of trustees of the Texas Southmost [Union Junior] College District on the district's Texas Southmost College campus, subject to the normal requirements of the board and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
SECTION 3. Not later than the 90th day after the effective date of this Act, any partnership agreement between The University of Texas at Brownsville and the Southmost Union Junior College District entered under Section 78.02(c), Education Code, before the effective date of this Act shall be amended to meet the requirements of Section 78.02(c), Education Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
"If the Texas Legislature won't even ante up for the rent arrears, did Robles expect the majority to believe that it would pay the TSC debt," asked an incredulous majority supporter.
"If we had passed that, we would just get the run around from the state which is looking for ways to cut budgets across the board."
Anthony Gray, Oliveira's administrative assistant, said that people shouldn't read too much into the "shell" bill and that it was written as a prototype in case the UTB and TSC finally decide what they were going to do.
"Nobody expected the situation to get to where it is today," Gray said. "The wording on it can be changed once the two sides agree on what they are going to do."
13 comments:
UTB HAS A CONSULTING FUND, WHERE ALL THE CONSULTANTS (HMMMM, HUMMM REPS, SENAT, AND THEIR RELATIVES GET PAID).
AHI ESTA LA CHICHI...
Oliveira is full of bu*lsh*t. Allways has been--always will be.
So, Rene has joined his cousin David in this UTB vs TSC batttle. Juliet and her "committee" are using all of their "political contacts" to promote their position. They don't care about the people here...or care that only 17% of students graduate from UTB with four year degrees.....and seem oblivious to, or don't care that 83% of the students here get TSC or community college certifications. They are elitists who would give away 200 million dollars of facilities....paid for by the sweat of local taxpayers....to a tenant (UT) who hasn't paid rent to the sum of $11 million dollars. Our citizens need a community college!
Our citizens need TSC! I can't believe the arrogance of the Juliet faction and their disregard for the needs of this community.
they are relentless in their desire to Screw the people they represent. These people have no morals. It is just a shame because I know that they KNOW that what they are doing is wrong. It could have been a win win for the two institutions . I laugh at the people that say, " but we had such a unique partnership agreement ONE that others envied". HELLO there! there is a reason why nobody else wanted it no other community was willing to subsidize any university bottom line. Except of course the citizens of Cameron County.
Let us not forget Juliet threw Rene a bone and hired his brother gave him a laptop to work out of his Austin Home to fundraise for UTB/TSC in all the time he worked he fundraised less than 1,000 dlls. No tienen verguenza
on the back of taxpayers yes Robertito you are for the little people for the taxpayers no tienes verguenza tu tambien.
An upcoming booksigning downtown will present a book written by a gentleman from Texas A&M International University in Laredo. Juliet has spoken a lot about a "international community university"....made me think that Juliet seeks to make this campus the UT International Univ. and compete with A&M....and give UT a "border" university. The fact that she and her "committee" of friends seem intent on cutting bait with TSC....and according to Bobby Robles and other Juliet insiders....to send those ignorant people to Harlingen (or words to that effect)for an education. So, Juliet and the Kardenas Klan proposed giving up $200 million in assests to UT....so UT would become the frosting on her ego and turn the community college activities to anyone who wanted it...TSTC. Her whole game of "screw the public pooch" was interrupted by new TSC Board members who recognize that this community needs community college programs to improve the workforce.....not a place where Juliet would not have any local control over her designs to format "her" university. Its amazing......that she would abandon 83% of her students for the sake of the 17% who have UTB diplomas. She has misled the public in Brownsville for too long and its time for her to be pastured.
I wish for the sake of the taxpayers Eddie Lucio would stay out of it but he cannot. He wants to be the hero here and impose his own plan. The words out of his mouth are I will support the majority of the board. What a lie he is working behind their back with UT systems to sacrifice his own PEOPLE con el rosario en la mano. I think it is time we let him know.
Last night at the Service League function at the Events Center....many of Juliet's stooges were there hitting up the public and trying to pound her position home to those who would listen. The position is much the same, UT is a prestigious national university and TSC is nothing. It has become clear that Juliet and her "committee" are pressing to have all of TSC assets given to UT. She wants no local oversight of her ego and their position now seems to be that anyone who wants a vocational or community college certificate can go to TSTC. It has become clear that she is willing to separate from TSC....but still wants all of TSC's facilities to be "given" to UT....for her to control. Her dream will be a nightmare for local citizens. When most educators in the nation are suggesting the need for community college training to restart the economy...to train our kids to get jobs that will benefit them and the nation. What a shame Juliet has presented! Dr. Robles has even said that only ignorant people need a community college....yet he was a TSC Board Member....obviously conflicted about where to place his loyalties. Perhaps he, like Juliet, see themselves as above the rest of us...elitists. Just ego, its all in their petty little minds.
Is that Jerry McHale Shully? He looks HOTT!
What is wrong with ignorant people wanting to go to college to become educated? Some of those trustee members need to go back to somewhere and take "Etiquette for the Morally Challenged TSC Board Of Trustees Elected Official". Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to look in the mirror without gagging and sleep with clear conscience.
Rene thinks nothing of introducing a bill that is David and UT friendly. That bill has David written all over it. I think Rene needs an ethics class
The heroes here are the 4 majority trustees who did the right thing even when a small minority of idiots practically rioted and degraded them. These 4 did not betray or forget their oath or their community. If Lucio still wants to be involved, it should be for the limited purpose of MAKING SURE THE LEGISLATION IS PASSED THAT ALLOWS TSC TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT THE DEMOCRACTIC PROCESS DEMANDS. I'M SURE LUCIO WOULD NOT LIKE IT IF SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO UNDERMINE HIS DECISIONS!
Hey Gray, the two sides already decided what they want to do. Are you illiterate or what? Read the motion passed by the trustees. Pretty clear what the parties want to do. Why don't you just get it done? Or are you all still having secret meetings?
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