House votes to change top 10 percent

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Despite accusations of racism and hours of heated debate, the Texas House tentatively passed a bill that offers the University of Texas-Austin some leniency when it comes to admitting students under the top 10 percent rule.

"Perhaps the lives of someone born will be affected by what we're doing here today," said Rep. Helen Giddings, D-Dallas. "I'm going to take a leap of faith and vote for this bill."

The bill allows UT to cap the number of students it accepts under the top 10 percent rule at 75 percent. The university would be allowed to admit the remaining students based on other criteria. Currently, school administrators say more than 80 percent of students enrolled are top 10 percent students.

"It gives them the chance to fill spots they need in geo-sciences and teaching," said Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, R-Kerrville. "But, it still allows kids in rural areas and from minority districts to have a fair chance to go to their school of choice."

The bill the House passed on second reading with a vote of 121-24 is much different from the one that came out of the Senate. The Senate voted to allow all state universities to cap their top 10 percent admittance at 60 percent. The House's bill only allows the 75 percent cap for UT.

"The other schools aren't having the capacity problem UT has," said Hilderbran.

Opponents of the change called the bill a step back. "This is about a different kind of racism," said Rep. Roland Guiterrez, D- San Antonio. "It is about people who are having significant perils getting in to a university of their choice. Yet, we're changing the rules of the game and making it harder and harder for them to get in."

The top 10 percent rule was created by the Legislature in 1997. It grants automatic admission to students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class, no matter the size of the school or the programs it offers. The intent of the rule is to increase diversity at state universities. Though some lawmakers argue it has accomplished that goal, Giddings said it has not been effective enough.

"We have made progress in many areas under the top 10 percent rule," she said. "Unfortunately, African-American participation at UT has remained stagnant."