Question 1

Which public university in Texas can trace its origins to the Texas Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Texas A&M University was founded in 1876 under the provisions of the Morrill Act, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, which provided for donation of public lands to states for the purpose of creating colleges. However, the Texas Constitution also called for the establishment of a "university of the first class" which ultimately led to the founding of the University of Texas in 1883.

Question 2

The 2012 State Water Plan discussed strategies to address both the short- and long-term water needs in Texas including

Accepted Answer

The 2012 State Water Plan emphasized conservation and expanding and developing available surface water as strategies to address short- and long-term water needs in Texas. Option A is incorrect because the plan did not mention raising taxes on water, but rather encouraged conservation efforts. Option B is also incorrect because importing more water from surrounding states and digging more wells is not a sustainable solution and can exacerbate water scarcity in those areas. Option D is incorrect because the plan did not propose massive desalinization plants along the Gulf Coast or laws restricting the construction of in-ground pools as strategies to address water needs.

Question 3

Normal schools were established in order to

Accepted Answer

Normal schools were established in the 19th century in order to train and prepare teachers for the classroom, specifically for elementary and secondary education.

Question 4

Which argument is made by supporters of a physical wall separating the United States and Mexico?

Accepted Answer

Supporters of a physical wall argue that securing the border is crucial to successful immigration reform, and the wall is the best way to ensure security. They believe that without a secure border, any attempts at reform will be ineffective.

Question 5

The Water Rights Adjudication Act created

Accepted Answer

The Water Rights Adjudication Act created a unified permit system related to surface water and well-defined underground streams. This allowed for a more comprehensive and organized approach to managing water rights in Texas. The act did not address the other options listed.

Question 6

Which goal is presented in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's strategic plan titled "60x30TX" that was released in 2015?

Accepted Answer

The goal presented in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's strategic plan titled "60x30TX" that was released in 2015 is that sixty percent of Texans between the ages of 25 and 34 will have completed a certificate or degree by 2030.

Question 7

Community colleges are supported in part by ___________________.

Accepted Answer

Community colleges receive financial support from local tax dollars, which fund their operations and maintenance expenses.

Question 8

Monies from the Available University Fund (AUF) can be used for which of the following purposes?

Accepted Answer

Monies from the Available University Fund (AUF) can be used to guarantee bonds issued by the University of Texas System for capital projects, such as building new dormitories.

Question 9

Water policy in Texas is based on

Accepted Answer

Water policy in Texas is based on a complicated system of private property rights, where landowners have the right to both the surface and groundwater beneath their property. This has led to conflicts over water usage between different landowners and regions in the state. Federal law also plays a role in some aspects of water policy, such as regulating water quality standards, but overall water management is primarily handled at the state and local levels in Texas. While drought is a recurring issue in Texas, it is not the sole basis for water policy.

Question 10

What happens if members of the Texas National Guard who are deployed at the border see someone illegally crossing the border?

Accepted Answer

Members of the Texas National Guard cannot generally arrest anyone as they are part of the military. They would have to notify the Border Patrol to make the arrest.

Question 11

The Constitution of 1876 created a Permanent University Fund (PUF) from the sale of what?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution of 1876 created the Permanent University Fund (PUF) from the sale of certain public lands.

Question 12

Seven states, including Texas, sued the federal government in May 2018 arguing that DACA was unconstitutional because

Accepted Answer

The seven states argued that DACA was unconstitutional because it was created through executive action by President Obama, rather than being passed through Congress as a law. They claimed that this violated the separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches of government described in the U.S. Constitution.

Question 13

How many major water reservoirs are currently in Texas?

Accepted Answer

Texas has 188 major water reservoirs that are used for water supply.

Question 14

When it was originally established, which institutions in Texas could receive funding from the Higher Education Fund (HEF)?

Accepted Answer

When originally established, the Higher Education Fund (HEF) provided funding to The Texas State Technical College, universities, and health-related institutions that are not eligible for or included in Permanent University Fund (PUF) funding.

Question 15

Which agency is responsible for developing a standardizing core curriculum used at all public colleges and universities in Texas?

Accepted Answer

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is responsible for the development and standardization of core curriculum used at all public colleges and universities in Texas.

Question 16

How are tuition and fee schedules set at public universities in Texas?

Accepted Answer

In Texas, public university tuition and fee schedules are typically set by the university's Board of Regents or governing board. University presidents or chancellors submit their requests or proposals to the Board of Regents, who then review and set the tuition and fee schedules. This process allows for consideration of the specific financial needs and strategic goals of each university within the system.

Question 17

In 2018, the Trump administration announced a "zero tolerance" policy designed to deter people from crossing the southern border illegally. Which of the following was a consequence of this policy?

Accepted Answer

The "zero tolerance" policy led to the separation of minor children from their parents for weeks or even months at a time, causing widespread outrage and condemnation both domestically and internationally. While portions of the Texas National Guard were indeed "federalized" to assist with border security, this was not specifically related to the "zero tolerance" policy. The government did lease vacant schools to use as temporary detention centers, but again, this was not unique to the "zero tolerance" policy. No new division of the U.S. Border Patrol was created to implement this policy.

Question 18

Texas has _____ university systems.

Accepted Answer

Texas has six university systems: Texas A&M University System, University of Houston System, Texas State University System, Texas Tech University System, University of North Texas System, and the University of Texas System.

Question 19

Most of the water in Texas is for

Accepted Answer

The majority of the water in Texas is used for irrigation, particularly in agriculture. While some may also be used for home consumption or for neighboring states, the primary use is for irrigation. National defense purposes are not a significant contributor to water usage in Texas.

Question 20

The law of capture, as it pertains to water policy in Texas, essentially means that

Accepted Answer

The law of capture in Texas means that the first person or entity to "capture" or pump water out of the ground has the right to use it. This system can lead to overuse of groundwater resources and has sparked a debate over ownership and regulation of water in the state.

Quiz 14: Building the Future: Public Policies for a Changing Texas