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TSU crosses debt off its to-do list
By JEANNIE KEVER Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
Aug. 10, 2009, 7:07PM
Texas Southern University President John Rudley has crossed the final item off the to-do list he created when he took the top job at the historically black university in early 2008.
Work remains, including increasing enrollment and raising graduation rates. But a decision by the U.S. Department of Education to waive an $11.7 million debt — an issue that had lingered for 13 years, through three presidential administrations — marked a milestone in Rudley's tenure.
The debt started out as a $40 million penalty issued by the education department in 1996, following its finding that TSU couldn't prove all federal financial aid went to eligible students.
Enter Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who interceded on TSU's behalf.
“It was a steep mountain to climb,†the Houston Democrat said Monday.
The decision means TSU can instead use that money to improve its academic programs, said Provost Sunny Ohia.
“We still have a lot of work to do, with growing our enrollment and improving the quality of our academic programs,†he said.
Story
By JEANNIE KEVER Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
Aug. 10, 2009, 7:07PM
Texas Southern University President John Rudley has crossed the final item off the to-do list he created when he took the top job at the historically black university in early 2008.
Work remains, including increasing enrollment and raising graduation rates. But a decision by the U.S. Department of Education to waive an $11.7 million debt — an issue that had lingered for 13 years, through three presidential administrations — marked a milestone in Rudley's tenure.
The debt started out as a $40 million penalty issued by the education department in 1996, following its finding that TSU couldn't prove all federal financial aid went to eligible students.
Enter Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who interceded on TSU's behalf.
“It was a steep mountain to climb,†the Houston Democrat said Monday.
The decision means TSU can instead use that money to improve its academic programs, said Provost Sunny Ohia.
“We still have a lot of work to do, with growing our enrollment and improving the quality of our academic programs,†he said.
Story
