The Texas Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1055 on Monday, which would move Stephen F. Austin State University into the University of Texas System. 

The SFA Board of Regents voted to join the UT System in November after receiving proposals from the UT System, Texas A&M University System, Texas Tech University System and Texas State University System advising them on the advantages of joining each respective system. Joining the UT System will allow SFA to access the Permanent University Fund, an endowment set in the Texas Constitution reserved for the UT System and Texas A&M University System.

State Sen. Robert Nichols filed the bill in February, joined by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini. If the bill passes the House and Gov. Greg Abbott, students at SFA will retain their admission status, and the school will keep its name and mascot. 

The bill now moves to the Texas House for approval.