Texas Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Strengthen Higher Education Oversight

Texas lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 37, a sweeping proposal designed to increase oversight of higher education institutions and ensure compliance with the state’s ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The bill, authored by State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R), seeks to create a new office within the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to investigate universities for potential violations of state laws or institutional policies.

The proposed Office of Excellence in Higher Education would be led by a governor-appointed official, responsible for investigating claims of non-compliance. Universities will be required to respond within 30 days to information requests from the office. The office would forward its findings to the Attorney General’s Office and the university’s board of regents, issuing public reports and recommendations based on its investigations.

In a statement issued, Creighton said that he wants to maintain Texas’s reputation for producing world-class graduates, groundbreaking research, and innovations that fuel the economy.

““Achieving this requires accountability, and efficiency — ensuring students receive a high-quality education while safeguarding taxpayer investments,” said Creighton.

SB 37 would also grant governing boards more control over universities. These boards could now oversee course curricula and have the final say in hiring leadership roles, including vice presidents, provosts, and deans. Additionally, boards will be required to evaluate faculty and administrators to ensure diverse perspectives in leadership.

The bill mandates that university committees, made up of local industry partners and tenured faculty, vet courses to align with workforce needs and avoid promoting specific ideologies or policies. It also sets standards for minor degree and certificate programs, requiring a minimum number of students to enroll and complete the program to avoid elimination.

SB 37 is part of a broader push to limit faculty influence in Texas colleges, which began last year when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) proposed eliminating tenure. This legislation aims to curb what conservatives view as a liberal bias in higher education and hold faculty accountable for political indoctrination.

A bill similar to SB 37 was filed in the Texas House by Rep. Matt Shaheen (R). Its future remains uncertain, as chair of the House Higher Education Committee, Rep. Terry Wilson (R), did not list faculty governance as one of his top priorities.