Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Tuesday requiring public higher education institutions to implement a series of security protocols to “protect the State” from Chinese communist parties.  

Texas agencies and public universities will be required to introduce “stronger background check procedures” for employees and contractors, according to the order. State employees are also prohibited from accepting gifts from or work-related travel to “foreign adversary countries” like China. Additionally, higher education faculty and staff may not participate in recruitment programs from these countries. 

“Our No. 1 priority is to protect Texans, including from espionage threats from the Chinese Communist Party and its proxies,” Abbott said in the press release. “Hardening our state government is critical to protect Texans from hostile foreign actors who may attempt to undermine the safety and security of Texas and the nation. With this Executive Order, Texas will safeguard our critical infrastructure and information from threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party.” 

The order did not elaborate on what the new background check requirements will consist of for public universities in Texas. The University did not respond to requests for comment before the time of publication.