1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

Texas Senate Bill 37 threatens higher education by undermining faculty governance, restricting academic freedom, and imposing political oversight on university curricula. SB 37 weakens institutions’ ability to attract and retain top faculty, limits students’ exposure to diverse ideas, and could ultimately diminish the quality and reputation of Texas public universities. SB 37 erodes faculty governance, replacing it with state control. It reduces faculty senates to advisory bodies subject to administrative approval, stripping professors of their role in shaping academic policies, hiring, and curriculum. Faculty expertise is essential to maintaining educational standards, and diminishing their influence invites political interference in university operations. SB 37 further threatens academic freedom by establishing an Office of Excellence in Higher Education to investigate universities for compliance with state laws. While oversight can be beneficial, politically motivated investigations could lead to censorship and self-censorship. The fear of scrutiny will discourage faculty from addressing complex or controversial topics, depriving students of critical discussions necessary for a well-rounded education. SB 37 politicizes hiring and curriculum by giving governing boards final authority over administrative hires, reducing academic leadership’s role in decision-making. This would exclude important subjects, particularly those addressing race, gender, history, and social justice—areas essential for fostering critical thinking and civic engagement. If faculty are restricted in what they can teach, students will graduate without exposure to diverse perspectives, weakening their analytical and problem-solving skills. Additionally, limiting academic freedom will make Texas universities less attractive to distinguished faculty, leading to a decline in institutional reputation and education quality. By restricting faculty governance and academic freedom, SB 37 will drive professors to states with stronger protections. A faculty exodus would weaken research programs, limit mentorship opportunities, and reduce the overall quality of Texas higher education. Over time, this will lower national rankings, making Texas universities less competitive and less appealing to top students. SB 37 prioritizes political oversight at the expense of academic integrity. By undermining faculty governance, restricting curricula, and increasing administrative control, the bill jeopardizes Texas’ higher education system. Strong universities require academic freedom, expert-led governance, and open intellectual discourse—elements this legislation threatens to dismantle. As my representative and a member of the Texas Senate Education K-16 Committee, I urge you to oppose SB 37 during today’s hearing.