<\/p>\n
Brandon Simmons (left) ombudsman for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Wynn\u00a0Rosser, commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, wait to testify during a Texas Senate Committee on Higher Education hearing on Senate Bill 37 at the Capitol in Austin, on July 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jay Janner\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
A\u00a0new state office<\/a> is tasked with holding Texas\u2019 public universities accountable.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Launched in January, the governor-appointed ombudsman\u2019s office receives and investigates complaints from the public about alleged violations of state law at universities.\u00a0<\/p>\n It describes<\/a> itself as an \u201cintermediary among the state\u2019s institutions of higher education, the Legislature, and the public.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The office, created under a new law that brought more state oversight<\/a> to public universities, came as Republican leaders said they wanted to hold taxpayer-funded institutions accountable and root out perceived liberal bias.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related:\u00a0Republican lawmakers praise new college oversight law. Critics say it\u2019s led to censorship<\/a><\/p>\n Gov. Greg Abbott has said the new ombudsman’s office will “help ensure Texas’ higher education institutions continue to set the national standard and prepare our students to thrive.” Professors have warned that the office, with “little provision for due process,” is “ripe for abuse.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Related: Republicans are remaking Texas’ public universities. Some professors are leaving<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s what to know about Texas\u2019 new college\u00a0watchdog.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n What does the ombudsman\u2019s office do?\u00a0<\/p>\n The Office of the Ombudsman can investigate alleged violations of two laws: SB 17,\u00a0the state\u2019s 2024 ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives<\/a>, and SB 37, a new law that places increased oversight on curriculum, academic programs and hiring.\u00a0<\/p>\n It can only open investigations based on complaints from students, faculty and staff of a public university. Complaints cannot be anonymous. Members of the public can submit general feedback about the state\u2019s universities, but the office does not have the power to investigate those.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related: Texas launches website to collect complaints about public universities violating state law<\/a><\/p>\n People can submit complaints and feedback through the Office of the Ombudsman\u2019s online portal.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Abbott appointed Brandon Simmons, former chair of Texas Southern University\u2019s Board of Regents, to head the office last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n The office, which is housed within the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, has three former lawyers from the Attorney General\u2019s office on staff and is expected to cost more than $3 million per biennium.\u00a0<\/p>\n What can the office investigate? What falls outside of the office\u2019s purview?\u00a0<\/p>\n The office has a limited scope of what kinds of alleged violations it can investigate.<\/p>\n They have oversight of any alleged violations of SB 17 and SB 37, including DEI initiatives, faculty senates; the governing board\u2019s power to review an institution\u2019s general education curriculum; and the institutional authority of a university president.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Related: UNT won\u2019t cover 11 faculty memberships to academic groups, cites DEI ban<\/a><\/p>\n The office cannot investigate complaints about classroom instruction, according to its website.\u00a0<\/p>\n \nWhat are the consequences for a university under investigation?\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Simmons can recommend lawmakers bar a school from spending state funding while it is under investigation.<\/p>\n State support is one of the main funding sources for public universities, though tuition and fees typically provide the largest revenue chunk. At the University of North Texas, for example, state appropriations will provide 16% of this fiscal year’s revenue. The University of Texas at Austin sees 22% of its budget come from the state endowment and appropriations.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n How many complaints have been submitted? How many investigations have been opened?\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n