DALLAS—Regents of the Texas Tech University System approved two rule changes required under a new state law at their quarterly meeting Thursday.
The revisions to the “governance authority” provisions of chapter one of the regents rules and the senior leadership provisions of chapter two will bring Texas Tech into compliance with a new state law.
Final language for today’s action will be publicly posted by Monday, but a system representative told Texas Scorecard the changes are designed to make sure that “verbiage complies with the law.”
Senate Bill 37, a measure state lawmakers passed in 2025, clarifies the oversight authority for boards of regents. It also gives regents new responsibilities over supervising hiring for senior leadership positions.
Elsewhere in the meeting, regents honored retiring San Angleo State University Provost Don Topliff. SB 37 will require board approval for Topliff’s replacement.
Regents also passed their 41-item consent agenda, including a controversial “renewable energy” master’s degree, without discussion. During the meeting of the Academic, Clinical, and Student Affairs Committee, Regent Shelley Sweatt stated she had personally reviewed consent agenda items that came out of her committee.
Regents also discussed “security devices” and “security audits” during executive session but took no action.
The Texas Tech University System consists of five institutions. It is overseen by a Board of Regents that is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Cody Campbell of Fort Worth is the current board chairman.
