Texas public junior colleges shall be two-year institutions primarily serving their local taxing districts and service areas in Texas and offering vocational, technical, and academic courses for certification or associate degrees. Continuing education, remedial and compensatory education consistent with open-admission policies, and programs of counseling and guidance shall be provided. Each institution shall insist on excellence in all academic areas–instruction, research, and public service. Faculty research, using the facilities provided for and consistent with the primary function of each institution, is encouraged. Funding for research should be from private sources, competitively acquired sources, local taxes, and other local revenue.