University President Jim Davis sent a message to faculty and staff on Tuesday announcing the selection of the President’s Faculty Advisory Board, one aspect of UT’s new faculty council structure. UT abolished its old faculty council on Aug. 21 in compliance with Texas Senate Bill 37. 

According to the message, the President’s Faculty Advisory Board is composed of 14 members from various colleges who will regularly meet and provide him guidance on academic and research issues. 

“This esteemed group of professors brings a broad range of expertise and perspectives, a strong commitment to the University’s mission and an abiding ethos of excellence,” Davis wrote in the message. “Collectively, they personify the wisdom of the faculty body and the University-wide advisory mission of the PFAB.”

Part of the board’s work is to provide feedback on the effectiveness of other faculty groups like the Core Curriculum Task Force. Created on Oct. 16, this task force will review UT’s core curriculum and recommend any changes, also in compliance with SB 37. 

Davis sent an email to faculty on Sept. 25 announcing the creation of the President’s Faculty Advisory Board and Faculty Advisory Cohort. SB 37 requires public universities to restructure their faculty councils to represent the entire university. Before SB 37, all faculty council members were elected by other faculty. Under the new structure, members will be appointed by University leadership and advise UT on its “general welfare,” according to the bill.

Due to increased interest from faculty, the board will now consist of 14 instead of 12 faculty members, Davis wrote. At the time of publication, the board has not met formally with the president or other University leadership, a member of the board wrote in an email. 

“Our faculty members are the heart of our academic mission and play an indispensable role in our success as a world-class university,” Davis wrote.