Gov. Rick Perry has said each board of Texas’ universities should make its own “wise” decision on athletic conference alignments. Our state deserves more leadership than that on conference alignment and other issues affecting the future of Texas’ universities.

In such matters, the governor should:

* Make public all facts about the economic choices facing Big 12 schools.

* Articulate clear goals to be accomplished by conference choices.

* Ensure that university boards communicate with one another.

Athletics are competitive, but more than competition is at stake in building a statewide vision for higher education.

We should have a reliable source of public information about the economics of sports contracts for all Texas universities and their conference alternatives.

With input from all boards and other state officials, the governor should articulate the public policy goals of conference affiliation. One starting goal would be to maximize athletic revenue for higher education in Texas. Another goal should address the fair allocation of contract revenues between schools, taking into account the contribution of each program.

Stating statewide objectives for conference affiliation does not require the governor to dictate one outcome.

Big 12 university leadership should communicate with one another. Professional leagues and nonprofits such as the NCAA and the Olympics benefit from shared information in negotiating for media revenues. Possibilities for joint action cannot be identified without communication. Good communication also takes into account that supporters of many universities pay taxes used to fund higher education.

As Texas funds a smaller percent of the budget for many state universities, universities are under pressure to look far beyond Texas to maximize their revenues from sports. The economic alternatives may be better for some than others. Reports from “sources close to the governor” refer to politics when explaining Perry’s failure to address conference realignment, finally resolved Monday in favor of the Big 12. But political convenience is no excuse for lack of leadership.

Strong leadership from our next governor is needed on critical issues beyond conference alignment, issues that affect the future of higher education in Texas. Our state’s bipartisan civic leadership has long recognized the importance of stronger university research to our long-term economic growth. Public support of required funding will require hard choices about the location of new centers of excellence and discipline to avoiding diluting existing strengths.

Success in building stronger universities with public support requires coordinated planning by many universities. In the past, supporters of two existing Tier I public schools have feared potential diversion of resources. Aspiring Tier I schools have advocated for themselves without regard to their role in an overall plan. If each board lobbies only for the interest of its own institution, rather than a statewide plan, we will not make the progress Texas needs.

If conference realignment is too tough for this governor to address meaningfully, then obviously we need bolder leadership to develop a unified plan to build stronger research universities for Texas’ future.

Former Houston Mayor Bill White is the Democratic candidate for governor.