Austin, Texas, September 15, 2025
News Summary
The University of Texas System Board of Regents has voted to abolish faculty senates across its institutions, marking the first time faculty members will lack elected representation since 1928. In response to Texas Senate Bill 37, which empowers university boards and presidents to control faculty governance bodies, the UT System will replace faculty senates with advisory groups. Critics argue that this change undermines faculty input and influence, leading to concerns about transparency and trust between faculty and university administration.
Austin, Texas – University of Texas System Abolishes Faculty Senates in Response to New Law, Faculty Lose Representation for the First Time Since 1928
The University of Texas System Board of Regents has voted to abolish faculty senates across its institutions, marking the first time since 1928 that faculty members will lack elected representation. This decision is in compliance with Texas Senate Bill 37, which empowers university boards and presidents to control all faculty governance bodies, thus limiting faculty input and influence.
Senate Bill 37, which recently passed in Texas, aims to address concerns over perceived unchecked power by faculty senates over university governance. Under the new law, the UT System will replace faculty senates with advisory groups that will have advisory roles without any genuine decision-making authority. These newly formed groups will consist of a maximum of 60 members, with required representation from each college or school within the university.
Faculty members will still be able to be elected to these advisory groups; however, the university president will appoint at least one representative from each college or school, raising concerns about the actual influence these appointees will have. Members of the advisory groups will serve staggered terms of six years, with a two-year break between terms, while elected faculty representatives will serve two-year terms, also with breaks.
The revised governance structure is designed to facilitate tasks such as evaluating degree requirements and proposing curricular changes. Critics argue that these advisory groups will not adequately reflect the true faculty voice, and the decision to eliminate traditional faculty senates has left around 3,700 faculty members at UT without any formal means of communication or representation with university leadership.
This abrupt change has left many faculty members feeling sadness and surprise regarding the dismantling of a governing body that historically played a crucial role in shaping academic policies and decisions. Concerns have been raised that this move will negatively affect transparency, trust, and engagement between faculty and university administration, resulting in a redistribution of faculty roles and responsibilities in an unfavorable manner.
Experts in higher education governance assert that previous systems allowed for a collaborative decision-making process that benefited the entire institution. Critics further categorize Senate Bill 37 as an anti-democratic strategy that diminishes faculty oversight in Texas higher education.
Supporters of the bill assert it is essential to reduce the power of faculty senates, which they argue have exercised excessive influence over university operations. Initially, the UT System indicated its commitment to developing a framework for faculty advisory groups to maintain some level of faculty involvement in governance, although skepticism remains among faculty about the effectiveness and accountability of these new structures.
Faculty councils have expressed apprehensions that the lack of a formal governing body could lead to an increase in disengagement and distrust among faculty, ultimately impacting the operational efficiency of the university. The restructuring of faculty governance raises questions about the future of collaborative decision-making within the UT system and its overall impact on university dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Texas Senate Bill 37?
Texas Senate Bill 37 is a new law that allows university boards and presidents to control faculty governance bodies, reducing faculty representation and influence within university decision-making.
What changes have been made to faculty governance at the University of Texas System?
The University of Texas System has abolished long-standing faculty senates and created advisory groups that lack real decision-making power. Faculty will not have elected representation for the first time since 1928.
How will the new advisory groups function?
The advisory groups will consist of up to 60 members from various colleges or schools within the university. They will focus on reviewing degree requirements and suggesting curricular changes but will not serve as genuine representatives of the faculty.
What implications does this change have for faculty members?
Faculty members are concerned about a loss of transparency, trust, and engagement with the university administration. Critics worry that the new advisory groups will undermine faculty influence and could lead to disengagement from university governance.
How long will members serve on the new advisory groups?
Members of the new advisory groups will serve six-year terms with a two-year break, while elected representatives will serve two-year terms with similar breaks.
Key Features of Faculty Governance Changes
| Feature | Previous Structure (Faculty Senates) | New Structure (Advisory Groups) |
|---|---|---|
| Representation | Elected representatives from faculty | Max 60 members, appointed and elected |
| Decision-Making | Active participation in governance | Advisory role only |
| Term Length | Varied terms based on senate | 6 years with breaks for appointees, 2 years for elected |
| Faculty Voice | Direct involvement in academic decisions | Limited influence, potential for disconnection |
| Year Established | 1928 | New structure created in 2023 |
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Additional Resources
- Inside Higher Ed
- Statesman
- The Daily Texan
- Lubbock Online
- The Chronicle of Higher Education
- Wikipedia: Shared Governance
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