🔴Relating to the governance of public institutions of higher education, including review of curriculum and certain degree and certificate programs, a faculty council or senate, training for members of the governing board, and the establishment of a higher education ombudsman/oversight office.

🔴 SB 37: State Control Over Texas Universities

What it says it does:
SB 37 says it strengthens oversight and accountability in higher education. It promises to make degree programs more valuable, align courses with workforce needs, and ensure universities spend taxpayer money responsibly.

What it actually changes:
It removes real power from faculty and campus leaders and gives it to boards of regents and the Governor’s office. Faculty councils become advisory only, boards gain veto authority over curriculum and hiring, and a new Ombudsman appointed by the Governor can investigate schools and escalate issues to the Attorney General.

Who is pushing for it:
Authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-SD4). Supported in hearings by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, business associations, and conservative education policy groups promoting tighter state control.

Who benefits:
Boards of regents and statewide appointees who now control curriculum, hiring, and funding compliance. Industry partners who gain direct input on what counts as a “high-value” degree. Political offices that can shape university priorities from the top.

Who gets left out or exposed:
Faculty lose their voice in governance, students lose access to diverse academic programs, and communities lose local input over public universities. Programs without immediate job payoff risk elimination.

Why this matters long term:
The bill centralizes higher education power in Austin and sets a precedent that future governors can tighten even more. It shifts higher education from a system of shared governance to a chain of command. Once these controls are in place, they are difficult to undo.

What to watch next:
Expect more bills that rate or close programs based on “return on investment.” Watch for expanded use of compliance funding to pressure campuses and for additional oversight offices built on this same model.

Bottom line:
SB 37 looks like accountability, but it operates as a long-term power shift. It takes decisions about teaching, hiring, and programs away from educators and puts them in the hands of political appointees. Texans who value independent universities should pay attention now.

#SB37 #TexasPolicy #HigherEd #PowerShift #StayInformed