The 88th Texas Legislature concludes

Dear Texas Woman’s Colleagues,

Many of you have been following the actions and deliberations of the 88th Texas Legislature closely during the past weeks and months. I appreciate the thoughtfulness many of you have expressed on the considerable issues, and I want to assure you that Texas Woman’s leadership is working diligently to assess and understand the full impact of the various pieces of legislation.

SB 17 (related to DEI) and SB 18 (related to tenure and employment of faculty) are two bills that will immediately impact our campus community. Our Office of General Counsel is collaborating with university leaders and other general counsels across the state to help assess these bills. I am immensely grateful for their guidance as we consider changes to Texas Woman’s policies and practices as a result of this legislation.

While I understand your feelings of uncertainty and anxiety regarding the future, I ask for your patience as we assess our continued compliance with all applicable Texas laws. Yesterday, I met with peers on the Council of Public University Presidents & Chancellors regarding these bills. I know Dr. Mendez-Grant is also in communication with other Student Life leaders across the state to understand how their institutional practices are changing as a result of these laws.

Let me provide a brief update on these bills. As you know, tenure protects the academic freedom of our faculty and our faculty’s scholarship. SB 18 confirms that due process protections for tenure remain. It appears most of the requirements in SB 18 are already met in existing regent policies and university regulations and procedures. That is fortunate as we must assess and implement any changes required by SB 18 before September 1, 2023. The Office of General Counsel will keep in conversation with the Office of the Provost and TWU Faculty Senate leadership to meet that deadline.

The bill requiring changes to DEI initiatives and practices in public universities (SB 17) will require a more thoughtful review and examination, but we have until January 1, 2024, to make changes in what we do related to DEI. At least the bill’s protections for our teaching, research, student achievement, and student organizations are immediately apparent.

To be clear, my leadership and I remain committed to attracting, supporting, and retaining exceptionally talented staff, faculty, and students with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We will continue to foster and celebrate inclusive excellence across our university community.

I will continue to keep you posted with information about these two bills and other legislation that will impact Texas Woman’s.

You are the reason we are a campus with a heart. Thank you for all that you do for Texas Woman’s. And, stay cool during these sweltering summer days!

With a pioneering spirit,

Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.
Chancellor and President

Page last updated 3:34 PM, July 28, 2023