The UT System Board of Regents ended faculty senates and councils at its institutions on Aug. 21 to comply with Texas Senate Bill 37, which goes into effect Sept. 1. Now, the University is working to develop a new faculty advisory model in accordance with the law.
Before SB 37, the University faculty council was composed of 70 members elected by other faculty. Now, only a university’s governing body can establish a faculty council, which will be limited to only 60 members, with two representatives from each college and school to ensure “adequate representation,” according to the measure.
Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, who authored the bill, said in his original author’s statement of intent that the law addresses the “unchecked authority” of faculty senates, provides more authority to university governing boards and increases transparency of higher education institutions.
“Over the coming months, the Board of Regents will consider policy recommendations that enable faculty senates to be reconstituted in accordance with the law,” a UT System spokesperson wrote in an email. “In the meantime, the board has authorized UT System presidents to temporarily establish faculty advisory groups.”
Advisory groups will allow faculty to continue providing counsel to the administration and carrying out any functions delegated to them by Regents’ Rules and Regulations, a UT System spokesperson wrote.
Kevin Eltife, UT System Board of Regents chairman, said in a board meeting that the system has yet to decide if faculty councils will be reestablished at every UT System institution. He said that the Board of Regents plans to collaborate with each school to determine the best approach.
University spokesperson Mike Rosen wrote in an email that UT is coordinating with the Board of Regents to develop a new process that will allow the University to utilize its faculty’s academic expertise while following SB 37.
