Austin, Texas, September 1, 2025
News Summary
The University of Texas System Board of Regents has approved the disbandment of faculty senates across all institutions due to Senate Bill 37. This change, effective September 1, aims to reshape governance structures, replacing faculty senates with new faculty advisory groups that adhere to set regulations. Concerns have been raised about the impact on shared governance and faculty influence in decision-making. This significant shift highlights the ongoing legislative changes affecting higher education in Texas, which include other reforms regarding academic governance and free speech.
Austin, Texas — The University of Texas System Board of Regents has officially approved compliance with Senate Bill 37, resulting in the disbandment of faculty senates at all University of Texas institutions. This decision will take effect starting September 1 and is part of a broader initiative to reshape governance structures across the university system.
Faculty senates have served as long-standing advisory bodies that provided critical input on curriculum, policy, and academic programs. With the new law in place, the role of faculty members in university governance will be significantly altered, as the regents will authorize university presidents to create faculty advisory groups to replace the disbanded senates. However, these new groups must adhere to specific governance rules set forth by the new legislation and cannot mirror the structures of the previous senates.
Under Senate Bill 37, new limitations will be imposed on the size of these advisory bodies, with leadership positions being appointed directly by university presidents. Furthermore, all meetings of these groups will be required to be live-streamed, increasing transparency but also introducing regulations that some argue may restrict open dialogue.
Terry DeGruy, a faculty advocate, has expressed concerns that these changes jeopardize the principle of shared governance, which is essential for the operation of universities. The legislation was driven by claims from legislators that faculty senates had become excessively liberal and influential, muddling university governance and academic integrity.
The lead advocate of the bill, Senator Brandon Creighton, argues that these new restrictions are necessary for restoring control over the academic environment within Texas universities and for maintaining integrity in educational programming. This legislation places prerequisites for both the existence of faculty advisory groups and their operational frameworks under the oversight of appointed regents, thereby augmenting their authority.
At the University of Texas at Austin, the faculty council, which has been operational since 1928, was a significant entity consisting of approximately 70 elected faculty members, staff, and students. The council conducted monthly meetings and played a vital role in guiding various academic and institutional decisions. With the dissolution of faculty senates, numerous faculty advocates have voiced their disappointment, arguing that even a limited form of the faculty senate would be more beneficial than none at all. They have called upon regents for a swift reauthorization of faculty governance structures.
Similar actions are taking place at other universities in Texas. The Texas State University System also opted to dissolve faculty senates in favor of new advisory groups. In contrast, the University of Houston and University of North Texas systems have modified their respective faculty senates to comply with the new regulations mandated by Senate Bill 37.
This significant shift in governance structures occurs alongside other legislation affecting higher education in Texas, including Campus Protection Act (SB 2972), which addresses free speech issues, and various measures altering faculty authority and educational programming across the state.
Summary
The decision to dissolve faculty senates in Texas universities, including the University of Texas at Austin, marks a notable change in governance as prescribed by Senate Bill 37. The expected introduction of faculty advisory groups signals a shift that could influence academic decision-making and the relationship between faculty and students in a state where legislative intervention in higher education governance is becoming increasingly prevalent.
FAQ Section
What is Senate Bill 37?
Senate Bill 37 is a new law in Texas that mandates the dissolution of faculty senates across all University of Texas institutions and introduces faculty advisory groups with specific governance requirements.
When will the changes take effect?
The changes outlined in Senate Bill 37 will take effect on September 1.
What are faculty senates and why are they important?
Faculty senates are advisory bodies that provide input on university policies, curriculum, and programs. They play a vital role in shared governance in academic institutions.
What will replace faculty senates?
Faculty senates will be replaced by faculty advisory groups that must meet new governance rules and will not replicate the structure of the dissolved senates.
What concerns have been raised regarding the new regulations?
There are concerns that the changes threaten shared governance and may restrict meaningful input from faculty in university decision-making processes.
What other changes are occurring in Texas higher education?
The dissolution of faculty senates is part of a broader trend of legislative intervention in higher education in Texas, with other laws affecting free speech and faculty authority being enacted.
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Additional Resources
- Statesman: University of Texas System Faculty Senate Abolish
- Wikipedia: Senate Bill 37
- CBS Austin: Poll on New Policies at UT Austin
- Google Search: Texas Higher Education
- Houston Chronicle: Texas Higher Ed Laws
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Higher Education
- Daily Texan: UT System Approves Free Speech Policy
- Google Scholar: Texas Legislation on Higher Education
- The Center Square: Texas Universities Legislation
- Google News: Texas University Faculty Senates
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