Veterum Sapientia Institute

With virtually no discussion, the state's Higher Education Coordinating Board voted unanimously Thursday to deny a petition by a Bible-based school and research institute to offer a master's grade in scientific discipline education.

Leaders of the Institute for Creation Research were in the audience but were not allowed to turn to the board.

"So be it," said the institute's CEO, Henry Esther Morris III.

Members of the board's Academician Excellence and Research Committee had voted Wednesday after a public hearing and treatment to urge that the petition by the Dallas-based communal be denied.

Thursday, Committee President Lynn Phillips of Bastrop, suggested that no more than populace treatment be allowed.

The issue was whether the institute, whose leadership believe in creationism, or that the human race was literally created as recounted in the Bible, could adequately set up its alumni to learn scientific discipline in center schools and high schools. Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes had establish — and board members agreed — that it could not.

Board Frailty President A.W. "Whit" Riter III, in the lone populace remark before the vote, said after looking at the background material, he simply felt "the programme presented to us was inconsistent with Coordinating Board rules.

"I still inquiry that scientific discipline can come up to one decision (about the beginning of life), but as a board, I believe we necessitate to be very sensitive," said Riter, a man of affairs from Tyler.

Several board members pressed Paredes and other coordinating board staff members Wednesday on whether the institute had been treated differently because of its initiation spiritual beliefs. They were told "no," that the expostulations to the programme had been based upon academic quality.

Thursday's determination ended the issue, but probably only temporarily. Esther Morris said Thursday that the institute have not decided on its adjacent step, but that it is likely to either entreaty or register a new proposal.