Contact: Ruth Pennebaker, (512) 499-4795

Date: October 1, 2004

UT System News Media Advisory

UT System to Host National Accountability Symposium
October 27-28 in Austin

AUSTIN – With any investment, shareholders want to know how their money is being spent and what return they are getting. These days, the public's investment in higher education is no different. Taxpayers, lawmakers and students are demanding accountability from their colleges and universities.

On October 27-28, The University of Texas System Administration will sponsor a nationwide symposium on this critical and timely issue. “A New Compact for Higher Education: Accountability, Deregulation, and Institutional Improvement” will feature keynote speakers Marjorie Scardino, CEO of the international media group Pearson; Mark G. Yudof, chancellor of the UT System; and John T. Casteen, president of the University of Virginia. Chancellor Yudof and James R. Huffines, chairman of the UT Board of Regents, are co-hosting the symposium.

More than 100 national and regional leaders from higher education, business, and the public sector are expected to attend the symposium, according to Geri Malandra, associate vice chancellor for accountability and institutional improvement for the UT System. “The public is seeking clear answers to whether our society's investment in higher education is improving our institutions and benefiting our nation,” Malandra said. “Accountability is one of the most important issues in higher education today.”

Speakers and panelists at the symposium will discuss their experiences and ideas about providing interested groups with accurate, in-depth information about higher education and business institutions' successes, shortcomings, cost-effectiveness and plans for the future. Talks will focus on issues such as using accountability systems and gathering information to improve institutions of higher education.

The UT System published its first comprehensive accountability report on the performance of its academic and health institutions this year. The system's new approach to accountability is designed to facilitate planning, to make strategic allocations of resources, and to promote greater efficiency and higher productivity. Texas Governor Rick Perry has issued an executive order calling for the development of a statewide accountability system for all public colleges and universities.

The UT System's accountability symposium will be held at the ACES Building located at the intersection of 24th Street and Speedway on the University of Texas at Austin campus. The symposium begins on Wednesday, October 27, at 4:30 p.m.

Parking for credentialed news media is located at the San Jacinto Garage (2401 San Jacinto). The cost to park is $7 per day. Reporters interested in attending and covering the symposium may contact Ruth Pennebaker at (512) 499-4363 for additional information.

The UT System has 15 campuses, including nine academic and six health institutions, and an annual operating budget of $8.5 billion (FY 2005). Student enrollment is projected to exceed 185,000 students in the 2004 academic year. The UT System confers one-third of the state's undergraduate degrees and educates three-fourths of the state's health care professionals annually. With more than 87,000 employees, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.

Agenda for the conference

UT System News: Accountability and Performance Report Is Presented to Board of Regents (3/11/04)

The accountability website

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