Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation that increases his responsibility over the internal governance of taxpayer-subsidized universities.
State Sen. Brandon Creighton’s (R–Conroe) proposal, Senate Bill 37, abolishes the practice of “shared governance” in state colleges and universities. It also increases the power of the boards of regents over curricula and hiring decisions.
In state universities, “shared governance” describes a system in which universities’ boards of regents delegate authority to the faculty, which is represented by a faculty senate—or, in the case of the University of Texas-Austin, a faculty council.
Boards of regents are accountable to Texans through the governor, who appoints them, and state senators confirm their appointments. Faculty senates have no such accountability.
Critics have argued that university faculty have been a source of woke ideologies at universities, leveraging “shared governance” to advance their activist agendas both in the classroom and on campus.
Under the terms of the new law, current faculty councils or senates will be dissolved. Individual boards of regents will then have the option to reconstitute them in a strictly advisory capacity.
The new law also requires boards of regents to conduct a review of all general education curricula every five years to ensure they “are foundational and fundamental to a sound postsecondary education, are necessary to prepare students for civic and professional life; equip students for participation in the workforce and in the betterment of society; and ensure a breadth of knowledge in compliance with applicable accreditation standards.”
University presidents should identify programs with low enrollment that may require consolidation or elimination, subject to board approval.
Additionally, the new law gives boards of regents final say over hiring for senior leadership positions.
Senate Bill 37 will take effect in phases, with the section abolishing faculty senates and councils beginning September 1. Provisions expanding board jurisdiction will apply starting January 1, 2026.
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