MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON SUBCOMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Subcommittee on Higher Education was held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brandon Creighton, Chair	None
Senator Mayes Middleton, Vice Chair
Senator Phil King
Senator Drew Springer
Senator Royce West

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:11 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out the following interim charges:

Campus Free Speech: Examine the procedures of Texas public institutions of higher education designed to protect the First Amendment free speech rights of faculty, staff, and students. Monitor and report on compliance Senate Bill 18, 86th Legislature, and make recommendations for any needed reforms.

Combating Antisemitism on Texas College Campuses: Review campus policies to prevent antisemitism. Study the oversight Texas institutions of higher education have over the formation and operations of student organizations, including access to campus facilities and use of campus property. Make recommendations to prevent antisemitism on college campuses, while protecting First Amendment rights.

Witnesses providing invited testimony are shown on the attached list.

At 10:48 AM the chair moved that the committee stand at ease.

At 11:23 AM the chair called the committee back to order.

The chair laid out the following interim charge:

Monitor the Ban on Discriminatory DEI Policies: Examine the implementation of Senate Bill 17, 88th Legislature, which bans discriminatory “DEI” initiatives at institutions of public higher education. Review and report on the progress each institution has made in aligning university policies and procedures with the provisions of Senate Bill 17, ensuring Texas college campuses foster equal opportunity and reward individual merit and achievement.

Witnesses providing invited testimony are shown on the attached list.

Witnesses providing public testimony are shown on the attached list.

At 3:40 PM Senator Middleton assumed the chair.

At 3:49 PM Senator Creighton resumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 7:56 PM Senator Creighton moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Brandon Creighton, Chair

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Abby Johnston, Clerk