February 17, 2021 • Austin, Texas And
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VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK February 17, 2021 • Austin, Texas and are proud sponsors of ORANGE & MAROON LEGISLATIVE DAY 2021 Thank you for volunteering today and for your continued support of these two great institutions. ORANGE AND MAROON LEGISLATIVE DAY THANK YOU The Texas Exes and The Association of Former Students thank the Texas Legislature and the Governor for the support provided for Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin during the 86th Legislative Session. This support has made a profound difference not only to students but to the state of Texas by advancing excellence in teaching and research on both campuses. WHAT’S AT STAKE? State funding is a critical component for all Texas colleges and universities to maintain accessibility, affordability, and quality education for students and families. With Texas A&M and UT Austin having the largest student bodies in the state and the demand for a degree from these institutions remaining high, any budget reductions will have a negative impact on the institutions by affecting programs that have increased graduation rates, reduced time-to-degree, and contributed to the success and retention of students—especially those considered at-risk. WHY IS INVESTMENT IMPORTANT? FUTURE OF TEXAS Texas A&M and UT Austin are united in serving Texas by producing a highly educated workforce that will benefit generations of Texans. The state’s two flagship universities provide a world-class education to over 116,00 students, which includes 90,000+ undergraduates, 2,000+ student veterans and 25,000+ graduate and professional students. Last year, UT Austin and Texas A&M awarded more than 22,000 undergraduate degrees, almost 20 percent of all degrees awarded by Texas public institutions. A Texas A&M and UT Austin bachelor’s degree holder earns an average of $583,000 more over 20 years than an average high school graduate without a bachelor’s degree. ALUMNI There are more than 1,000,000 living Texas A&M former students and UT Austin alumni throughout the world. Tens of thousands contribute over $13 billion in total income every year as a part of the Texas workforce, the equivalent of creating almost 180,000 jobs. Both universities have the highest return on investment for all public universities in Texas. RESEARCH Research conducted at UT Austin and Texas A&M enhances quality of life for all Texans: fighting and treating diseases, devising solutions to global problems, addressing critically important social issues, and improving the human condition. Our students contribute to our research initiatives and gain practical skills that provide them with the real-world experience needed to succeed. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the two universities have deployed significant resources to help the state monitor and fight this virus. These quick breakthroughs would not have been possible without long-term, sustained state investment in higher education research initiatives. JOINT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR TEXAS EXES AND THE ASSOCIATION OF FORMER STUDENTS #1 Research at Texas A&M and UT Austin enhances the quality of life for Texans and stimulates the state’s economy. ASK: 1) We ask the legislature to enhance the funding rate of the Texas Research University Fund, providing stronger investment in the life-saving research aimed at solving challenges facing Texas. 2) We ask the legislature to maintain funding for the Governor’s University Research Initiative which supports UT Austin and Texas A&M’s efforts in recruiting distinguished researchers who provide innovative classroom instruction and conduct invaluable research. #2 State formula funding directly supports the core academic mission of Texas A&M and UT Austin: educating students and preparing them for careers in the workforce. Both universities also receive institutional enhancement funding to strengthen support for their students, faculty, and staff. ASK: 1) We ask the legislature to continue investing in Texas A&M and UT Austin by enhancing current (FY20-21) funding levels for the formulas to fully account for enrollment growth rates. 2) We ask the legislature to continue to fund each University’s Institutional Enhancement (IE) item. BACKGROUND #1 Support Texas Research HISTORY: In 2015, both the Texas Research University Fund (TRUF) and the Governor’s University Research Initiative (GURI) were created. The TRUF exists to encourage and support research initiatives at the state’s two flagship institutions. This fund has allowed Texas to compete with other national research universities. In 2016, the TRUF provided $1.18 M per $10 M in research expenditures at UT Austin and Texas A&M. The GURI allows for recruiting and retaining key faculty to teach and conduct critical research at UT Austin and Texas A&M. In 2019, the TRUF was appropriated $147.07 M, which represents a 17.5 percent increase over the previous biennium, and the GURI received $40 M in appropriations. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: A significant source of support for both UT Austin and Texas A&M comes from the Texas Research University Fund and the Governor’s University Research Initiative. Research at Texas A&M and UT Austin not only enhances the quality of life for Texans, but it stimulates the state’s economy. ASK: 1) We ask the legislature to enhance the funding rate of the Texas Research University Fund, providing stronger investment in the life-saving research aimed at solving challenges facing Texas. 2) We ask the legislature to maintain funding for the Governor’s University Research Initiative which supports UT Austin and Texas A&M’s efforts in recruiting distinguished researchers who provide innovative classroom instruction and conduct invaluable research. BACKGROUND #2 Support Robust Formula Funding and University Institutional Enhancement HISTORY: The legislature uses funding formulas to distribute available state appropriations to higher education institutions. They allocate a base level of funding primarily on enrollment and estimated average cost by program. The formula is calculated by the Higher Education Coordinating Board and its recommendations are presented to the Legislative Budget Board in June of even-numbered years. In 2011, higher education suffered substantial cuts to base funding levels that have not been restored as the state’s economy recovered. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: State formula funding directly supports the core academic mission of universities: educating students. Formula funding comprises a significant part of the state’s financial support for instruction and academic operations at UT Austin and Texas A&M University. It is important to recognize the critical role that higher education—and especially the state’s two flagship institutions—play in the economic success of Texas. Furthermore, stable and predictable state funding promotes efficiency and consistency for the universities, students, and their families. ASK: 1) We ask the legislature to continue investing in Texas A&M and UT Austin by enhancing current (FY20-21) funding levels for the formulas to fully account for enrollment growth rates. 2) We ask the legislature to continue to fund each University’s Institutional Enhancement (IE) item. UNITED AGAINST COVID UT Austin UT Austin researchers created the first 3-D atomic level map of the SARS-CoV-2 virus’ spike protein, which was a crucial piece in the development of a vaccine. UT Austin scientists have directly impacted the ability to develop and provide safe vaccines for millions of people in record time. utex.as/UT3Dmap UT Austin researchers have aided in the development of a process for treating critically ill patients by transfusing blood plasma from recovered patients. These processes are enabled by a UT Austin-developed sensitive and quantitative antibody test that allows providers to screen plasma from survivors to choose those with the highest levels of antibodies. The test has also led to a better understanding of the immune responses present in COVID-19 patients. utex.as/UTantibody UT Austin is working to repurpose existing drugs that have already been approved by the FDA to make them more effective and efficient in treating COVID-19. utex.as/UTrepurposing Texas A&M Texas A&M researchers, with support from the National Science Foundation, are seeking to develop a smart ventilation control system to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in public buildings. tx.ag/Ventilation Texas A&M researchers are developing a device that can be used to rapidly identify antibodies produced by human B cells that can neutralize infection by SARSCoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. tx.ag/Antibody A Texas A&M chemist was the first to I.D. the drug Remdesivir, which has been being used in Texas hospitals as the most effective treatment option against COVID-19. The drug has shown promise of speeding up the recovery of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. tx.ag/Remdesivir TALKING POINTS Educated Workforce Our state’s flagship institutions provide businesses the highly educated workforce needed for economic success in Texas. Both universities have state-of-the-art facilities to ensure a world-class learning environment for Texas students. Graduates from Texas A&M and UT Austin become educators, veterans, scientists, business owners, coaches, and leaders in Texas. With a combined alumni force of around one million UT Austin alumni and Texas A&M former students, graduates of both universities ensure that the state is a leader in innovation and a competitor in the global marketplace. An investment in UT Austin and Texas A&M is an investment in a sustainable, healthy, and productive economy. Research Both universities have made a positive impact as we face the COVID-19 pandemic through continued dedication to excellence in the areas of education, research, and public service. Research at these universities provides solutions to problems faced by society and allows students the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and real-world experiences. Quick breakthroughs to fight back against the COVID-19 pandemic would not have been possible without prior long-term, sustained investment in higher education research initiatives.