The legal authority and operating control of the college are clearly defined for the fiscal stability of the college. By statutory provision, [Ref 1] & [Ref 2] the TSTC Board of Regents [Ref 3] has the legal authority and operating control to prescribe, regulate and otherwise engage in and control: [Ref 4]
- Annual operating budget and all changes thereto;
- Appropriations requests;
- Bank depositories and deposits therein;
- Issuance of revenue bonds;
- Lease, sale, transfer or exchange of land and permanent improvements; and,
- Tuition and registrations fees.
Chapter 135.07 of Vernon's Education Code [Ref 5] Texas State Technical College Funding, Gifts and Grants prescribes that, "(a) The legislature shall appropriate funds for administration, instruction, and physical plant operations and utilities for each campus of the system." "(c) The system may accept gifts and grants from any public or private source." Additionally, Section 135.52 [Ref 6] Fees and Tuition further allows that, "The board shall collect tuition at the rates provided by law and registration fees."
TSTC Harlingen's Annual Operating Budget Policy 3.15, [Ref 7] states, "It is the policy of TSTC Harlingen that the College's annual operating budget be developed as a joint effort by the President's Council working cooperatively with Instructional Program chairs, appropriate members of faculty, department directors and supervisors. The current State of Texas Appropriations Act and the TSTC System Budgeting Instructions will guide the process for preparation of the budget." College standing committees' research and assessment are continual throughout the year, and communication between units and administration is ongoing regarding financial priorities. Financial reports are used to make financial decisions and recommendations to the Unit Action Plan (UAP), see sample UAP budgeting objectives [Ref 8] . UAP'S are submitted with budget requests to each Vice President. The President's Council meets to determine budget allowances for each unit based on UAPS. Each biennium, an appropriately detailed budget is prepared which the President recommends to the Chancellor, who recommends the budget to the Board of Regents for final approval. Fiscal year budgets can be found in the President's office. [Ref 9]
Additional information regarding TSTC Harlingen's financial stability and budget process may be found in Core Requirements 2.11[Ref 10], Core Requirements 2.5 [Ref 11], and Comprehensive Standards-Resources 3.10.1 [Ref 12].
