Sec. 61.055. INITIATION OF NEW DEPARTMENTS, SCHOOLS, AND PROGRAMS; PARTNERSHIPS OR AFFILIATIONS

(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, a new department, school, or degree or certificate program approved by the board or its predecessor, the Texas Commission on Higher Education, may not be initiated by any institution of higher education until the board has made a written finding that the department, school, or degree or certificate program is adequately financed by legislative appropriation, by funds allocated by the board, or by funds from other sources.

(b) A general academic teaching institution or medical and dental unit may establish a partnership or affiliation with another entity to offer or conduct courses for academic credit or to offer or operate a degree program if:

(1) the governing board or other appropriate official of the institution or unit determines that the partnership or affiliation is:

(A) consistent with the role and mission established for the institution or unit;

(B) in accordance with the degree and certificate programs authorized to be offered by the institution or unit; and

(C) consistent with the role and mission of the university system, if any, to which the institution or unit belongs;

(2) the partnership or affiliation is approved by the coordinating board; or

(3) the partnership or affiliation is established to secure or provide clinical or other similar practical educational experience in connection with a course or degree program authorized to be offered by the institution or unit.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1447, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2001.