Texas Higher Education Regional Councils
Regional Councils in each of the ten Uniform State Service Regions (as established under Texas Education Code, ยง51.662) make recommendations to the Commissioner and resolve disputes regarding plans for lower-division courses and programs proposed by public institutions. Each Regional Council shall make recommendations to the Commissioner regarding off-campus courses and programs proposed for delivery within its Uniform State Service Region in accordance with the consensus views of Council members, except for courses and programs proposed to be offered by public community colleges in their designated service areas.
Universities, health-related institutions, public technical colleges, and Lamar state colleges shall submit for Regional Council review all off-campus lower-division courses proposed for delivery to sites in the Council's Service Region. Public community colleges shall submit for the appropriate Regional Council's review all off-campus lower-division courses proposed for delivery to sites outside their service areas. In the event of a dispute arising from electronic delivery of lower-division courses, any institution party to the disagreement may appeal first to the Regional Council, and then to the Commissioner and the Board.