UT president fights to change 10% rule

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A bill that would change Texas universities' 10 percent rule made some headway at the Capitol on Wednesday. The Senate committee on Higher Education university leaders, like UT's President William Powers, asked the lawmakers to change the 10 percent rule that they said is crippling the universities.

"86 percent of our student body is made up of students who fall under the 10 percent rule," said Powers.

The top 10 percent rule mandates universities allow all students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class be automatically admitted. Powers argued that they are having to reject students who are smart but excel in other areas because the students who fall under the rule take up so many of the slots.

"We are in a crisis," he said. "We do not have the capacity to take every 10 percent."

A similar bill was filed last session and was passed out of the Senate, but failed in the House. Though the prospects seem similar for this session, Powers said something has to be done for the university to stay competitive.

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