To continue with my "embrace living in a democracy" trend, I called my state representative and senator this morning after receiving this letter:
Dear Meagan:
Would you please write or call your state representative and senator TODAY and express your support for amending the Top 10% law? SB 175 by Senator Florence Shapiro and HB 52 by Representative Dan Branch are specific bills we urge you to support, which call for a cap of the top 10% admits of the freshman class. SB 175 will be heard in the Senate Committee on Higher Education on Wednesday, March 4.
For the past three legislative sessions, we have tried to amend this law and it has now become critical. Last fall, 80% of the Texas residents admitted to UT Austin were based on one criterion -- they were in the top 10% of their high school graduating class.
This year the Admissions Office has already sent acceptances to 10,500 students in the top 10%. Our normal freshman class is about 7,000. We simply can't provide a first class educational experience if even 70% of them accept the admission offer. It is conceivable that the entire class for fall 2009 could be top 10%. We will be unable to admit many students with extraordinary skills in music and art, or out of state students, or students from smaller rural or private schools, or international students. We are also running out of room to recruit minority students with exceptional leadership qualities who may not be in the top ten percent of their class. The diversity of the student body and the recruitment of future leaders depend on all these factors.
Our elected representatives need to know what you think. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Contact your elected officials today. A phone call is better than a letter, since it is critical they hear from you immediately. Here is their information:
Would you please write or call your state representative and senator TODAY and express your support for amending the Top 10% law? SB 175 by Senator Florence Shapiro and HB 52 by Representative Dan Branch are specific bills we urge you to support, which call for a cap of the top 10% admits of the freshman class. SB 175 will be heard in the Senate Committee on Higher Education on Wednesday, March 4.
For the past three legislative sessions, we have tried to amend this law and it has now become critical. Last fall, 80% of the Texas residents admitted to UT Austin were based on one criterion -- they were in the top 10% of their high school graduating class.
This year the Admissions Office has already sent acceptances to 10,500 students in the top 10%. Our normal freshman class is about 7,000. We simply can't provide a first class educational experience if even 70% of them accept the admission offer. It is conceivable that the entire class for fall 2009 could be top 10%. We will be unable to admit many students with extraordinary skills in music and art, or out of state students, or students from smaller rural or private schools, or international students. We are also running out of room to recruit minority students with exceptional leadership qualities who may not be in the top ten percent of their class. The diversity of the student body and the recruitment of future leaders depend on all these factors.
Our elected representatives need to know what you think. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Contact your elected officials today. A phone call is better than a letter, since it is critical they hear from you immediately. Here is their information:
The Honorable John Whitmire
Texas Senate
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, TX 78711-2068
Phone (512) 463-0115
The Honorable
Dwayne Bohac
Texas House of Representatives
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910
Phone: (512) 463-0727
Stay tuned for more legislative updates!
www.UTAdvocates.orginfo@utadvocates.org877-839-2739 toll free
Texas Exes, 2110 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78712
I think most people who graduated from a Texas high school and went to a Texas public university think the top 10% rule is bogus. As a graduate in the top 25% of my high school class (of 750+ students, mind you) I consider myself very lucky to have gotten accepted into and eventually graduated from the University of Texas. Anyway, if you feel compelled today (because the Senate Bill will be heard tomorrow), give Mr. Whitmire and Mr. Bohac a call. Their receptionist will answer and know what you're referring to - just say you're in support of SB 175 (Senate) or HB 52 (House of Representatives) and they'll take down your name and mailing address. It can't hurt, can it?
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