The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has launched a new statewide online portal that allows students and members of the public to file complaints against public colleges and universities. This comes as part of the 2nd wave of Senate Bill 37 implementation, with the portal housed in the bill’s mandated Office of the Ombudsman. Greg Abbott appointed Brandon Simmons, a former tech company executive, corporate attorney and venture capitalist, as the Ombudsman who will oversee the new office.
The website, called “Students First,” describes the new statewide office as “an intermediary between the legislature and the public and institutions of higher education.” It is charged with reviewing and investigating complaints alleging violations of SB 37, including provisions related to faculty governance, curriculum oversight, grievance processes, and hiring practices, as well as SB 17, the 2023 statute prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and related activities.
Once the office receives a complaint, it has five days to notify the institution, and the institution has 175 days to respond. If an institution is found to be out of compliance with state law, the office may recommend that legislative funding be withheld until compliance is verified. Each year, the office will submit a report summarizing complaints and findings to the governor, lieutenant governor, state auditor, and the higher education committee chairs in both the House and Senate.
For faculty, the most immediate concern centers on instructional content. The complaint categories include classroom materials and teaching practices that may be perceived as conflicting with state law, raising fears that controversial or sensitive subjects could become targets for external reporting. Although penalties exist for those who submit false complaints, even unsubstantiated complaints can trigger investigations. Even when complaints are ultimately dismissed, the existence of a formal investigation process may encourage self-censorship, particularly around topics that intersect with race or gender. Our union remains strongly opposed to these developments and is concerned that the portal incentivizes monitoring of classroom activity by individuals outside the academic community.
As the Spring semester starts for colleges across Texas, there is more uncertainty than ever for faculty. Our union is all in for our faculty members and will continue to advocate for your freedom in the classroom.