Tex. Educ. Code § 51.3523 · Subchapter G. RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNING BOARDS, SYSTEM ADMINISTRATIONS, AND INSTITUTIONS
SHARED GOVERNANCE.
Text — Current through the 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025
(a) In this section, "governing board" and "institution of higher education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) Institutions of higher education in this state shall be governed by a principle of shared governance, which refers to a structured decision-making process in which the governing board of the institution exercises ultimate authority and responsibility for institutional oversight, financial stewardship, and policy implementation, while allowing for appropriate consultation with faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders on matters related to academic policy and institutional operations. The principle of shared governance may not be construed to diminish the authority of the governing board to make final decisions in the best interest of the institution, students, and taxpayers.
(c) Administrators at institutions of higher education must make decisions in a manner that promotes efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness to state priorities, workforce needs, and the institution's institutional mission. Faculty and staff may provide recommendations on academic matters, but that input is only advisory in nature, ensuring that governing boards and institutional leadership retain clear and ultimate decision-making authority. Shared governance structures may not be used to obstruct, delay, or undermine necessary institutional reforms or serve as a mechanism for advancing ideological or political agendas.
Notes and commentary — not statutory text
History
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1128 (S.B. 37), Sec. 2.02, eff. September 1, 2025.
Source of truth
- Edition
- Current through the 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025
- Official file
- https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.51.htm
- Text hash
- sha256 6b7ceb0ad664c0605e23cfaa8a6afd81a347280779dab83b3c425d9c824ccdc5
- Composed by
- compose_tx.py 2026-10-05: the Legislative Council's chapter files read in document order; verify_tx.py's independent reading (lxml DOM walk) agrees character for character
This section cites
Provisions in this library that the text above cites, as it prints each citation. A range cited as “ss. 61.13-61.16” links its first and last provisions.
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