81R5486 KJM-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1801
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to orientation programs for new students at public
institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.978 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.978. ORIENTATION PROGRAM. (a) In this section,
"institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by
Section 61.003.
(b) An institution of higher education shall provide an
orientation program for each student, including a student
transferring to the institution, before or during the first
semester or other academic term in which the student is enrolled at
the institution.
(c) Each institution of higher education may determine the
format and length of and attendance requirements for the
orientation program that the institution provides under this
section, except that the program must include counseling regarding:
(1) the degree and professional programs offered by
the institution;
(2) the student's post-graduation goals, including
career goals; and
(3) transferring to a four-year institution, if the
institution offers only lower-division courses.
(d) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
provide online resources to assist an institution of higher
education in the development and implementation of an orientation
program. The resources must focus on programs that have proven
successful in improving the retention of students at institutions
of higher education.
SECTION 2. Section 51.978, Education Code, as added by this
Act, applies beginning with students admitted to an institution of
higher education for the 2010 fall semester.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.