August 11, 2025
In a significant shift, faculty senates at the various institutions within the Texas State University system are set to be dissolved on September 1. However, a spokesperson for the system has indicated that the Board of Regents is planning to establish new senates in the near future.
A recent legislative change in Texas stipulates that only the governing board of a public college or university, such as the Board of Regents, has the authority to create a faculty council or senate. Furthermore, if a board opts to maintain a senate, Senate Bill 37 mandates that the university president will appoint the “presiding officer, associate presiding officer, and secretary,” as well as dictate the procedures for senate meetings.
Additionally, unless the board decides otherwise, the size of faculty senates is restricted to a maximum of 60 members. This group must include at least two representatives from each college and school within the university. The law also vaguely describes that one member must be appointed by the institution’s president or chief executive officer, while the remaining members are to be elected by the faculty of their respective schools or colleges. This could potentially result in a situation where half of the senate is appointed by the president, unless the board provides an exemption.
The new law also imposes term limits on senate members. Presidential appointees are allowed to serve for six consecutive years but must take a two-year break afterward. Elected members, on the other hand, can only serve for two years before they are required to step down for a mandatory two-year hiatus.
According to SB 37, existing senates will be dissolved on September 1 unless the board has approved modifications to ensure compliance with the new regulations. As the board has not yet made the necessary adjustments, the senates within the Texas State University system will cease to exist. Nevertheless, all institution presidents are committed to swiftly reestablishing these groups, as stated by Mike Wintemute, a spokesperson for the system. He expressed confidence that the board would likely vote on the formation of new senates before November.
“Our leadership and faculty maintain ongoing communication regarding important issues affecting the university and faculty,” Wintemute noted. “The absence of formal faculty advisory groups for a brief period will not hinder these essential discussions from continuing.”