FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 9, 2011

Jenifer Sarver 512-879-0992 Jenifer.Sarver@bm.com

Amid Ongoing Debate Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education Continues to Attract Members
Coalitions Numbers and Profile Grow across the State and Nation AUSTINThe Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education today announced the addition of 57 new founding members dedicated to advancing excellence in Texas public higher education. Since its founding in June, the Coalition has aggressively advocated for higher education and become a source of information for news outlets, a state legislative committee, Texas public higher education institutions and concerned citizens. With these new additions the Coalition now boasts 317 founding members. The Operating Committee of the Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education issued the follow statement welcoming its newest members: We are pleased that concerned Texans committed to excellence in higher education continue to join our ranks. Recent oversight hearings in the Texas Legislature underscore Texans concern that our public institutions of higher education continually improve and become the very best in the nation. These new founding members represent a diverse cross-section of Texans who will help us continue to advocate for open and transparent dialogue, calling on elected officials, members of the boards of regents and university leaders to make constructive improvements that will strengthen higher education in Texas. The new members represent a bipartisan cross-section of Texas business, industry, academic and public policy leaders, including: Alan C. Baum, Ruben Bonilla, Tom Borders, Marty Braniff, Becky Brumley, Jon Brumley, Jim Buchanan, Charles H. Campbell, Leslie Cedar, Ray Taggart Chilton, Elizabeth Christian, L. J. Cohen, Robert Duncan, Amy Ehrlich, Byron F. Egan, Gary Farmer, Susan Farmer, Chuck Fraser, Robert L. Frachtman, Ray Galvin, Lisa T. Gottesman, Al Jones, Bryan Jones, Frank Jones, Mickey Klein, Greg Kozmetsky, Pam Leshin, Leigh Leshin Levy, Meredith Long, Abbie Madden , Joe P. Nelson, Julie Oles, Dick Perkins, Judy Perkins, Mary Dale Peterson, Ed Pickett, Fran Ramsey, George E. Ramsey, Dan Routman, David Rubenstein, Stephen (Steve) Saunders, Barbara Schusterman, Craig Smith, Tracey Smith, Sam L. Susser, Sandra Sweeney, McHenry Tichenor, Bruce Todd, Leon B. Toubin, Merced Perez Trevino, William R. Volk, Mark D. Walker, Raeanne Walker, R. K. Whittington and Eva Womack. The Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education played a large role in the two public hearings called by the Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency. Members of the Coalition delivered both invited and public testimony to the highly attended hearings. Testimony submitted for the record by Coalition members can be found at www.texaseducationexcellence.org.

With its growth, the Coalition has made way for a group of Young Texans from across the state to unite in support of maintaining excellence throughout Texas higher education institutions, adopting the slogan Our Degrees Matter. The Coalition is committed to ensuring our public higher education institutions embrace transparent reforms that continually keep them on a track of excellence and at the forefront of higher education in the nation and the world. About the Coalition The Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education was launched in the summer of 2011 by a group of concerned citizens who believe strongly in the power of higher education to transform lives, build our economy and shape Texas future. Formed in response to a growing concern over recommendations being floated that could have long-term damaging effects on our institutions of higher learning, the Coalition hopes to advance a thoughtful, constructive and transparent dialogue around higher education in Texas, seeking to improve the quality educational opportunities for all Texans. About Young Texans Young Texans for Excellence in Higher Education represents current and future alumni of Texas public higher education who believe in their education as a means to shape the future of the state, country and world. Great public teaching and research universities are proven incubators of innovation, knowledge and creativity and engines for economic growth. Higher education prepares our young people to lead the world in the new global economy and is critical to keeping Texas and America competitive. For more information on the Coalition and information on higher education in Texas, please visit: www.TexasEducationExcellence.org ###