The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
  (1) Entering student includes:
    (A) New student--A first-time student of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education, including a student who transfers to the institution from another institution. A student who was previously exempt under §21.614(a)(2) - (5) of this title (relating to Exceptions) will be treated as a new student, should the exception no longer apply.
    (B) Public Junior College--Any junior college certified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in accordance with Texas Education Code, §61.063.
    (C) Returning student--A student who previously attended an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education before January 1, 2012, and who is enrolling in the same or another institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester.
  (2) Evidence of Vaccination--Acceptable evidence of vaccination or receiving a booster dose includes:
    (A) the signature or stamp of a physician or his/her designee, or public health personnel on a form which shows the month, day, and year the vaccination dose or booster was administered;
    (B) an official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority; or
    (C) an official record received from school officials, including a record from another state.
  (3) Health practitioner--Any person authorized by law to administer a vaccination.
  (4) Institution of Higher Education--Any public technical institute, public junior college, public senior college or university, medical or dental unit or other agency of higher education as defined in Texas Education Code, §61.003(8).
  (5) Private or independent institution of higher education--Includes only a private or independent college or university as defined in Texas Education Code §61.003(15).
  (6) Online and other distance education course--A course in which the instructor and students are not in the same location. An online course typically involves web-based instruction, but might also include correspondence instruction. An online or other distance education course that includes a face-to-face component, including meeting in a testing laboratory with other students, or meeting in a classroom to receive interactive video instruction, does not qualify as an online or other distance education course for the purposes of this subchapter.

Source Note: The provisions of this §21.612 adopted to be effective November 30, 2009, 34 TexReg 8527; amended to be effective November 29, 2011, 36 TexReg 8024; amended to be effective May 29, 2012, 37 TexReg 3805; amended to be effective November 20, 2013, 38 TexReg 8197