THECB Non-Voting Student Representative
A non-voting student representative has the following powers and duties: A non-voting student representative is not a state officer. A non-voting student representative has the same powers and duties as the members of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, including the right to attend and participate in meetings of the board, except that the student representative:
- may not vote on any matter before the board or make or second any motion before the board; and
- is not counted in determining whether a quorum exists for a meeting of the board or in determining the outcome of any vote of the board.
The A&M System Office of Academic Affairs has been charged with working with each institution in the selection process. Each institution within the A&M System is required to use the applications available at the following links to solicit applicants for the position of non-voting student representative to the THECB.
| THECB Application | Office of the Governor Appointment Application |
| [Guide for THECB Application] | [Guide to the Appointment Application] |
| November 1 | Not later than November 1 of each year, the student government of each general academic teaching institution and medical and dental unit in a university system shall solicit applicants for appointment to the next regular term of the position of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) non-voting student representative. This regular term will be from June 1 through May 31 of the following year. |
| January 1 | From among the applications received by the student government, the student government shall select five applicants as the student government’s recommendations for the position of THECB non-voting student representative and send the applications of those applicants to the chancellor of the university system. Please note: While the statutory deadline is January 1, due to most students being away from campus for most of December and January, student governments are strongly encouraged to submit their recommendations to the chancellor well in advance. We request they submit by December 1. |
| February 1 | From among those applicants, the chancellor shall select two or more applicants as the university system’s recommendations for the position of THECB non-voting student representative and shall send the applications of those applicants to the governor not later than February 1. The governor may request to review all applications for the position of student regent received by the student governments and may request an applicant to submit additional information to the governor. |
| June 1 | On June 1, or as soon thereafter as practicable, the governor shall appoint one of the applicants to serve as the THECB non-voting student representative for the A&M system for a one-year term expiring on the next May 31. The governor is not required to appoint an applicant recommended by the chancellor, but may not appoint a non-voting student representative who did not submit an application to the student government of a general academic teaching institution or medical and dental unit in the system as described by Tex. Education Code § 61.0225. |
To be eligible for initial consideration, nominees must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in a public institution of higher education;
- Be in good academic standing as determined by the institution;
- Commit to fulfill all board related responsibilities during their term of service, to include attendance at no less than three (3) of four (4) quarterly board meetings scheduled in January, April, July, and October;
- Have a strong drive and self-motivation to contribute to the progress of higher education in Texas.
Also, the statute provides that: “throughout a student representative’s term, the student must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a four-point scale.” Failure to maintain such qualifications will result in the governor declaring the position vacant and subsequently filling the position.
The statute provides that “a student representative serves without compensation but is entitled to be reimbursed for the actual expenses incurred by the student representative in attending the meetings of the higher education coordinating board, subject to approval of the commissioner of higher education.”