Austin, Texas, August 28, 2025
News Summary
In response to Senate Bill 37, the University of Texas at Austin is restructuring its Faculty Senate. The new changes will modify membership and oversight, including the appointment of faculty officers by the university president. This legislation aims to reshape faculty governance, raising concerns about faculty autonomy and decision-making power. The revamped Faculty Senate will have a higher membership cap and a hybrid composition, paving the way for new governance practices aligned with state regulations.
AUSTIN, Texas — Significant changes are underway at the University of Texas at Austin in response to newly passed state legislation aimed at reshaping faculty governance across Texas universities. During a Faculty Senate meeting held on February 12, 2025, University President Harrison Keller outlined the adjustments mandated by Senate Bill 37, which was approved by the Texas Legislature on June 20, 2025. This new law requires each university’s regents to decide by September 1, 2025, whether to amend existing faculty senates or establish less independent advisory groups.
To comply with the law, the UT Board of Regents took action on August 14, amending the governing rules to maintain faculty senates while aligning with the parameters set by Senate Bill 37. Consequently, the existing Faculty Senate will undergo significant changes including a revised structure for its membership. The new configuration will feature representatives from each college, both appointed and elected, with the membership cap rising from 55 to 60 members.
The Chair of the Faculty Senate, Coby Condrey, emphasized that the goal of these adjustments is to continue promoting academic rigor and student success. This transitional phase will see a hybrid composition of the Faculty Senate where both previous and new system elements coexist, an arrangement developed by the Charter and Bylaws Committee.
Senate Bill 37 introduces new oversight measures, requiring the formation of a state-level committee to conduct five-year reviews of university curricula. This aspect of the law has raised concerns regarding the autonomy of faculty governance, as it could potentially limit faculty input in academic matters. In particular, worries about increased self-censorship have surfaced, especially in relation to programs with lower financial returns.
The restructuring also stipulates that faculty officers will now be appointed by the university president, reversing the previous practice of electing these individuals. Discussions during UT Board of Regents meetings have noted ongoing uncertainty about the future organization of faculty senates across various Texas universities.
Institutions such as the University of Houston and Texas State University have also taken steps to reform their faculty governance structures in compliance with the new legislation. In a move towards increased transparency, the general faculty senate meetings at UT will be broadcast online, and agendas will be made available seven days in advance.
As part of the changes, the previous faculty senates will be disbanded, and new advisory groups will be established without decision-making powers. The intent behind these advisory groups is to allow faculty members to offer insights and support various functions while the management authority will reside with administrative bodies.
Looking ahead, the UT System Board of Regents is tasked with evaluating policy recommendations concerning the potential reconstitution of faculty senates in the future. Condrey informed faculty members via email on August 27 about the impending modifications to the Faculty Senate, with the first meeting under the new structure scheduled for September 10, 2025.
Context and Background: Senate Bill 37, authored by state Senator Brandon Creighton, aims to curtail faculty autonomy while augmenting the authority of university governing boards over operational decisions. The legislation reflects a broader trend in Texas that seeks to reorganize higher education governance across the state, thus impacting universities’ approaches to managing faculty bodies and academic programs.
FAQ Section
What is Senate Bill 37?
Senate Bill 37 is a Texas law that imposes stricter regulations on faculty governance bodies at state universities, aiming to reduce faculty autonomy and increase the influence of university governing boards.
What changes are being made to the Faculty Senate at UT Austin?
The Faculty Senate will expand from 55 to 60 members, include both appointed and elected representatives from each college, and transition to a more hybrid structure as necessitated by the changes from Senate Bill 37.
When will the new structure of the Faculty Senate take effect?
The first Faculty Senate meeting under the new structure is scheduled for September 10, 2025.
Will faculty positions still be elected?
No, faculty officer positions will now be appointed by the university president instead of being elected by faculty members.
What can faculty members expect in terms of transparency with these changes?
General Faculty Senate meetings will be broadcast online, and agendas will be posted publicly at least seven days in advance, promoting greater transparency in governance.
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Additional Resources
- NT Daily
- Wikipedia: Senate Bill 37
- Inside Higher Ed
- Google Search: Texas Senate Bill 37
- The Shorthorn
- Google Scholar: Texas higher education governance
- The Daily Texan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Senate
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