On November 3, 2009, Texans voted on 11 new state constitutional amendments. Proposition 4 was approved; it will use existing funds to help foster the advancement of seven Texas universities into the Top Tier of national research universities.
What Will Prop 4 Do for Texas?
Prop 4 will help create more top tier Texas universities.
Prop 4 will help bring new high-paying jobs and new high-tech industries to Texas.
Prop 4 will use existing/dormant state higher education funds—no new money.
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Prop 4 will help seven Texas universities reach Tier One status and create a fund for more research
Prop 4 establishes the National Research University Fund (NRUF) to make funds available to the state's seven emerging research universities: University of Houston, Texas Tech University, University of North Texas, UT Arlington, UT Dallas, UT El Paso, and UT San Antonio. These seven are poised to join Texas A&M, Rice, and UT Austin in the top tier and will help Texas compete for research dollars as well as the most talented students, researchers, and faculty.
Prop 4 Has No Cost for Taxpayers
The funds that will be used for the National Research University Fund will be transferred from an existing dormant account--there will be no additional cost to the public, no new taxes, and no new state bonds.
Tier One Universities Benefit Texas Students and the Texas Economy
The best professors compete to teach and perform research at Tier One institutions, and Texas students benefit from studying under excellent faculty. There are very real benefits to the communities that have Tier One institutions, as well as to the state economy as a whole. Economists estimate that every $10 million in research expenditures at a university creates 334 new jobs, adds $8.6 million to the regional economy, and generates $13.5 million in local sales.
And it's not all about science. Great national research universities draw the best in every field--artists, musicians, historians, writers--and become arts and culture hubs in their communities.
Research Changes Our World for the Better
The research done at Tier One universities leads to discoveries in technology and medicine that improve our quality of life.
