MENTORING PROGRAM.

(a) The board may establish a mentoring program at the university. The program may provide mentoring, tutoring, and other resources to students at all levels of the educational system to assist students to:

(1) succeed in their education and achieve appropriate educational goals; and

(2) prepare for the transition from being a student to becoming an independent adult member of society.

(b) The program may recruit, train, coordinate, and support mentors and tutors and may provide other resources to students in the communities primarily served by the university who are students at risk of dropping out of school, as defined by Section 29.081, or who are otherwise in need of services to assist them in successfully completing their education and becoming productive members of the community.

(c) The board shall establish in connection with the program a continuing study and evaluation of mentoring activities and research into the best practices and methods of mentoring.

(d) At the times determined by the board, the board shall prepare a report relating to the operation of the program. The report must include:

(1) a description of the program;

(2) information relating to the students served by the program;

(3) an analysis of the effects of the program on student performance, including effects on dropout rates, school attendance, grades, performance on assessment tests, graduation rates, and entry into higher education programs;

(4) the costs of the program and the sources of funds used to support the program; and

(5) the board's recommendations for continuing the program and for any changes in the law authorizing the program.

(e) The board may use available institutional funds, as defined by Section 51.009, to support the program. The board may solicit and accept gift, grants, and donations from any public or private source to support the program.