Texas college students could return to overhauled campuses this fall after Republicans pledged to hold taxpayer-funded educational institutions able this session.
Lawmakers approved a number of higher education bills — from more state oversight to tighter protest rules — that aim to roll back what Republican leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott, see as bias on public college campuses.
The cornerstone of Abbott’s promise to change higher education in Texas is a proposal to give governor-appointed regents more power over what is taught and who is hired. That bill cleared both chambers and is headed to Abbott’s desk.
Lawmakers also ed bills in response to last year’s campus protests against the war in Gaza, which resulted in dozens of arrests at University of Texas campuses in Richardson and Austin. Abbott has prioritized fighting antisemitism on state campuses.
Other proposals, including bills that would repeal in-state tuition for undocumented students and expel visa-holding students who appear to terrorist organizations, failed to cross the finish line.
The proposed changes come as federal leaders are aiming to expand their reach into colleges, particularly with regard to what schools teach, who they hire and what political activities occur on campus. Public universities in Texas already face increased scrutiny after a 2023 state law banned diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at those schools.
These are some of the bills that could reshape higher education in Texas.
More state oversight (Awaiting governor’s signature)
Governor-appointed regents would have more oversight over day-to-day decisions at public college campuses, a departure from how universities have long operated, under Senate Bill 37.
Governing boards would have final say over what courses are included in a university’s core curriculum, ensuring they are “foundational and fundamental,” and “prepare students for civic and professional life” and “participation in the workforce.”
The final version of the bill eliminated the requirement that classes do not advocate that “any race, sex, ethnicity or religious belief is inherently superior to another.”
A new governor-appointed ombudsman would investigate matters such as whether a school is getting around the state ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The state officer could issue a civil investigative demand, which would require the school hand over relevant documents, or recommend the Legislature bar schools from spending state money.
Faculty would have significantly less influence under the bill, which places restrictions on the role of faculty senates and allows only governing boards to establish the bodies.
College professors say the move is an attack on academic freedom. Republican lawmakers say the bill is needed to address ideological biases on campuses and will grant students “degrees of value” faster and at a lower cost.
Under the bill, regents would have final say on hiring decisions for provosts, assistant provosts, vice presidents and deans. Presidents also are directed to review and eliminate low-enrollment minors and certificates that do not have “specific industry data to substantiate workforce demand.”
New campus protest rules (Awaiting governor’s signature)
Governing boards would have the power to limit where protests could take place on campus under a bill that increases regulations on demonstrations on state university campuses.
Protesters could not set up tents or wear masks, as many did during last year’s pro-Palestine protests at UT Austin and UT Dallas.
Senate Bill 2972 walks back a 2019 law that required universities to allow anyone to protest on campus in common outdoor spaces. That law was created under the belief that conservative voices were being silenced on college campuses.
Now protesters could only be of a university “community,” a broad term that could include current and former students, faculty, staff and students’ families.
Protesters also could not use amplified speakers and drums during certain times. Demonstrations would be banned between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Protesters would not be allowed to lower the U.S. or Texas flags during a demonstration.
Protests would be largely prohibited during the last two weeks of the semester, when students are typically taking final exams.
Combating antisemitism (Signed by the governor)
K-12 and higher education s will have to consider the state’s definition of antisemitism during student disciplinary cases.
The bill, which lawmakers say is needed to curb growing antisemitism on campuses, requires schools use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition the state adopted into law in 2021.
The organization defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.” It includes “rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism” directed toward “Jewish or non-Jewish individuals or their property,” as well as “Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
Critics say the definition conflates criticism of the Israeli government with discrimination against people of the Jewish faith. Free speech advocates fear that Texas’ proposal will have a chilling effect — particularly when it comes to protests or actions opposing the war against Gaza.
Following campus protests last year against Israel’s response after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, Abbott issued an executive order that directed schools to update their free speech policies and establish punishments, including expulsion, to address antisemitism. He said pro-Palestine student groups violated these policies.
Many have said those protesting the Gaza conflict weren’t engaged in antisemitism but opposing what they saw as human rights violations of Palestinians.
Pay for student athletes (Awaiting governor’s signature)
Texas colleges could soon pay their student athletes.
Under House Bill 126, schools could enter into “name, image and likeness” agreements with their athletes. Current state law allows students to do so only with third-party brands.
Only athletes 17 or older could be paid after they have enrolled and participated in the sports program.
The proposal comes as the National Collegiate Athletic Association is expected to end its decades-old prohibition on players being paid directly by their universities. Schools could provide a total of $20.5 million to its athletes annually.
University leaders told lawmakers the legislation is necessary to keep recruiting talent to Texas under the expected NCAA changes.
Staff reporter Philip Jankowski contributed to this article.
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
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