Rule 80112: Residential Conference Centers

1.  Title

Residential Conference Centers

2.  Rule and Regulation

Sec. 1  Designation.   The president of an institution may designate rules for a Residential Conference Center that includes rooms for overnight residential guests, rooms for conferences, banquets, and meetings, catering services, and conference and related programming services. The president shall cause to be prepared and submitted for approval, as a part of the Handbook of Operating Procedures of the institution, appropriate rules and regulations for the reservation and use of a Residential Conference Center.

Sec. 2  Rules for Use.   The rules and regulations must restrict the reservation and use of such facilities in accordance with the following:

2.1  Designation.   Designation as a Residential Conference Center shall not constitute the facility as a public facility or forum that is open to use by individuals, groups, associations, or corporations on a first-come, first-served basis.

2.2  Reservations.   Priority in the reservation and use of facilities within a Residential Conference Center shall be given to programs and activities of the U. T. System or any of the institutions that are in furtherance of and related to the academic, educational, cultural, outreach, recreational, and athletic programs of the U. T. System or any of the institutions. 

2.3  Use of Facilities.   As a lower priority, the rules and regulations may provide for reservation and use of facilities within a Residential Conference Center by individuals, groups, associations, or corporations without the necessity of joint sponsorship by the U. T. System or any of the institutions and within accepted industry standards and the needs of the institution. Subject to all constitutional and statutory provisions relating to the use of State property or funds for religious or political purposes, facilities within a Residential Conference Center may be made available for religious and political conferences, debates, or conventions. A Residential Conference Center may be used for purposes such as banquets or conferences by entities that use annual conferences or other similar activities to acquire operational funds for the entities. Rates for such use must be charged that, at a minimum, ensure recovery of that part of the operating cost of the Center attributable directly or indirectly to such use; provided, however, that the manager of the facility may grant complimentary rooms or food as is ordinary and customary in the operation of similar facilities for promotional or customer relations purposes if it is reasonably necessary for the operation of the facility. 

2.4  Rental.   The rules and regulations applicable to a Residential Conference Center may provide for the rental of space for display of advertising and the display of samples of merchandise in designated areas inside the Residential Conference Center that have been approved by the president of the institution or his or her delegate, and for advertising by displays on a message center inside the Center or on the Center's outdoor electronic marquee, message center, or other signage. A Conference Center retail store operation for goods related to conferences or guest services as well as sales of books, other educational products, software, or related products within the Conference Center shall be allowed and considered within Section 2.5 of Rule 80103 on Solicitation. 

3.  Definitions

None

4.  Relevant Federal and State Statutes 

Texas Education Code Section 51.202 – Rules and Regulations, Penalty
Texas Government Code Section 2165.002 – Exceptions to Commission Charge and Control
Texas Government Code Section 2203.004 – Requirement to Use State Property for State Purposes

5.  Relevant System Policies, Procedures, and Forms 

Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Rule 80105 – Joint Sponsorship of the Use of Property or Buildings

6.  Who Should Know 

Faculty
Staff
Students

7.  System Administration Office(s) Responsible for Rule 

Office of the Board of Regents

8.  Dates Approved or Amended 

Regents’ Rules Revision History

9.  Contact Information 

Questions or comments regarding this Rule should be directed to: 
•  bor@utsystem.edu