CHAPTER 95. ADMINISTRATION OF THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

EDUCATION CODE

TITLE 3. HIGHER EDUCATION

SUBTITLE E. THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

CHAPTER 95. ADMINISTRATION OF THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

SUBCHAPTER A. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Sec. 95.01. BOARD OF REGENTS. The organization, control, and

management of the state university system is vested in the Board

of Regents, Texas State University System.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3218, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1160, ch. 434,

Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1975.

Sec. 95.02. BOARD MEMBERS: APPOINTMENT, QUALIFICATIONS, TERMS.

The board is composed of nine members appointed by the governor

with the advice and consent of the senate. The members hold

office for terms of six years, with the terms of three members

expiring February 1 of odd-numbered years. Each member of the

board shall be a qualified voter; and the members shall be

selected from different portions of the state.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3218, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 2837, ch. 484,

art. III, Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1983.

Sec. 95.03. BOARD MEETINGS. The board shall provide for regular

meetings for the transaction of business pertaining to the

affairs of the state university system. The chairman or a

majority of the members of the board by petition may at any time

call a special meeting of the board and fix the time and place

thereof.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3219, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1160, ch. 434,

Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1975; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3050, ch.

524, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983.

Sec. 95.04. PER DIEM; EXPENSES. Members of the board shall

receive a per diem payment as provided by the legislature and

shall in addition be reimbursed for the actual expenses incurred

by them in the performance of their duties. Payment shall be made

out of the appropriation for the support and maintenance of the

state university system as the board may direct.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3219, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1160, ch. 434,

Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1975; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3050, ch.

524, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983.

Sec. 95.05. QUORUM. Five members of the board shall be a quorum

for the transaction of business at any meeting and, unless a

greater number is required by the board's rules, the act of a

majority of the members present at any meeting shall be the act

of the board.

Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3053, ch. 524, Sec. 2, eff.

Sept. 1, 1983.

Sec. 95.06. SYSTEM CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION OFFICE; EXECUTIVE

OFFICER. (a) The central administration office of the

university system shall provide oversight and coordination of the

activities of each component institution within the system.

(b) The board shall appoint an executive officer of the

university system and determine the executive officer's term of

office, salary, and duties.

(c) The executive officer shall recommend a plan for the

organization of the university system and the appointment of a

president for each component institution within the system.

(d) The executive officer is responsible to the board for the

general management and success of the university system, and the

board shall cooperate with the executive officer to carry out

that responsibility.

(e) In addition to other powers and duties provided by this code

or other law, the central administration office of the system

shall recommend necessary policies and rules to the governing

board of the system to ensure conformity with all laws and rules

and to provide uniformity in data collection and financial

reporting procedures.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 464, Sec. 3, eff. June 14,

1989.

SUBCHAPTER B. POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD

Sec. 95.21. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY OF BOARD.

(a) The board is responsible for the general control and

management of the universities in the system and may erect,

equip, and repair buildings; purchase libraries, furniture,

apparatus, fuel, and other necessary supplies; employ and

discharge presidents or principals, teachers, treasurers, and

other employees; fix the salaries of the persons employed; and

perform such other acts as in the judgment of the board

contribute to the development of the universities in the system

or the welfare of their students.

(b) The board has authority to promulgate and enforce such

rules, regulations, and orders for the operation, control, and

management of the university system and its institutions as the

board may deem either necessary or desirable. When a power is

vested in the board, the board may adopt a rule, regulation, or

order delegating such power to any officer, employee, or

committee as the board may designate.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3219, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1160, ch. 434,

Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1975; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3050, ch.

524, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983.

Sec. 95.22. INSPECTION OF UNIVERSITIES. The board as a whole or

by committee shall visit each university under its control and

management at least once during each scholastic year, inspect its

work, and gather information which will enable the board to

perform its duties intelligently and effectively.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3219, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1160, ch. 434,

Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1975; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3050, ch.

524, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983.

Sec. 95.23. LOCAL COMMITTEES OF BOARD. At least once a year

each local committee of the board shall meet on the campus of the

institution for which the local committee is responsible for

reporting to the board. At the meeting, the local committee shall

confer with the institution's officials and carefully examine all

phases of the operations of the institution.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3219, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971.

Sec. 95.24. ADMISSION; DIPLOMAS AND CERTIFICATES. The board may

determine the conditions on which students may be admitted to the

universities, the grades of certificates issued, the conditions

for the award of certificates and diplomas, and the authority by

which certificates and diplomas are signed.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3219, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1160, ch. 434,

Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1975.

Sec. 95.25. TEACHING CERTIFICATES. Diplomas and teachers

certificates of each of the system universities authorize the

holders to teach in the public schools.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3220, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1160, ch. 434,

Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1975.

Sec. 95.27. ANNUAL REPORT TO GOVERNOR. The board shall make an

annual report to the governor showing the general condition of

the affairs of each university in the system and making

recommendations for its future management and welfare.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3220, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1160, ch. 434,

Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1975.

Sec. 95.28. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS. All appropriations made by

the legislature for the support and maintenance of the system

universities, for the purchase of land or buildings for the

universities, for the erection or repair of buildings, for the

purchase of apparatus, libraries, or equipment of any kind, or

for any other improvement of any kind shall be disbursed under

the direction and authority of the board. The board may formulate

rules for the general control and management of the universities,

for the auditing and approving of accounts, and for the issuance

of vouchers and warrants which are necessary for the efficient

administration of the universities.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3220, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1160, ch. 434,

Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1975.

Sec. 95.29. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. The board

shall file in each house of the legislature at each of its

regular biennial sessions a statement of the receipts and

expenditures of each of the system universities, showing the

amount of salaries paid to the various teachers, contingent

expenses, expenditures for improvements, and other items of

expense. The board shall also file its recommendations for

appropriations for the universities.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3220, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1160, ch. 434,

Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1975.

Sec. 95.30. EMINENT DOMAIN. The board has the power of eminent

domain to acquire for the use of the system universities the

lands necessary and proper for carrying out their purposes, in

the manner prescribed in Title 4, Chapter 21, of the Property

Code. The taking of the land is for the use of the state. The

board shall not be required to deposit a bond or the amount equal

to the award of damages by the commissioners as provided in

Section 21.021 of the Property Code.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3220, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1160, ch. 434,

Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1975; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 403, Sec.

1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 95.31. ACQUISITION OF LAND; PROCEDURES. The board may

acquire land, including the improvements thereupon, needed for

the proper operation of a system university. The acquisition may

be by grant, purchase, lease, exchange, gift, devise, or by

condemnation.

If the board and the landowner cannot agree on the sale and

purchase of the land, the board may request the attorney general

to proceed to condemn the land as provided by law.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3220, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1161, ch. 434,

Sec. 4, eff. June 19, 1975; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3050, ch.

524, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 403,

Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 95.32. DORMITORIES. (a) The board may enter into

contracts with persons, firms, or corporations for the erection

of dormitories at a university, and may purchase or lease lands

and other appurtenances for the construction of the dormitories,

provided that the state incurs no liability for the buildings or

the sites.

(b) The board may make contracts with reference to the

collection and disposition of the revenue derived from the

dormitories in the acquisition, management, and maintenance of

the buildings.

(c) The board may adopt rules and regulations it deems

reasonable requiring any class or classes of students to reside

in the dormitories or other buildings. Absolute management and

control of the dormitories constructed is vested in the board.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3221, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1162, ch. 434,

Sec. 5, eff. June 19, 1975.

Sec. 95.33. MANAGEMENT OF PROPERTY. The board of regents of the

Texas State University System has the sole and exclusive

management and control of the lands set aside and appropriated

to, or acquired by, the Texas State University System. The board

may sell, lease, and otherwise manage, control, and use the lands

in any manner and at prices and under terms and conditions the

board deems best for the interest of the Texas State University

System, not in conflict with the constitution. However, the land

shall not be sold at a price less per acre than that at which the

same class of other public land may be sold under the statutes.

No grazing lease shall be made for a period of more than 10

years.

Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1447, ch. 636, Sec. 1, eff.

June 13, 1979. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3050, ch. 524,

Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983.

Sec. 95.34. DONATIONS, GIFTS, GRANTS, AND ENDOWMENTS. (a) The

board may accept donations, gifts, grants, and endowments for the

universities under its control to be held in trust and

administered by the board for the purposes and under the

directions, limitations, and provisions declared in writing in

the donation, gift, grant, or endowment, not inconsistent with

the laws of the state or with the objectives and proper

management of the universities. All money accepted under the

authority of this section shall be deposited to the credit of one

or more special funds created by the board for the university

system or universities in the system. The board shall designate

one or more depositories for the money received and shall accord

money deposited in them the same protection by the pledging of

assets of a depository as is required for the protection of

public funds.

(b) The board may deposit in one or more appropriate accounts

created by the board all funds received as administrative fees or

charges for services rendered in the management and

administration of any trust estate under the control of the

board. The funds so received as administrative fees or charges

may be expended by the board for any educational purpose of the

university system or universities in the system.

Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1447, ch. 636, Sec. 1, eff.

June 13, 1979. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3050, ch. 524,

Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983.

Sec. 95.36. MANAGEMENT AND LEASE OF LAND. (a) The board may

lease for oil, gas, sulphur, ore, and other mineral development

all land under its control. The board may make and enter into

pooling agreements, division orders, or other contracts necessary

in the management and development of its land. All leases,

pooling agreements, division orders, or other contracts entered

into shall be on terms which the board deems in the best interest

of the system and the system universities. No lease shall be sold

for less than the royalty and rental terms demanded at that time

by the General Land Office in the sale of oil, gas, and other

mineral leases of the public lands of the State of Texas.

(b) Except as provided in Subsection (c) of this section, any

money received by virtue of this section and the income from the

investment of such money shall be deposited in the State Treasury

to the credit of a special fund to be known as the Texas State

University System special mineral fund, to be used exclusively

for the university system and the universities in the system.

However, no money shall ever be expended from this fund except as

authorized by the General Appropriations Act.

(c) All money received by virtue of the lease of land given to

the board by a will, instrument in writing, or other means shall

be deposited to the credit of one or more special funds created

by the board for the university system or universities in the

system. The board shall designate one or more depositories for

the money received and shall accord money deposited in them the

same protection by the pledging of assets of a depository as is

required for the protection of public funds. Money deposited in a

special fund may be used by the board for payment of principal

and interest on revenue bonds or notes issued by the board and

for any other use or purpose which in the judgment of the board

may be for the good of the university system or the universities

in the system.

Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3053, ch. 524, Sec. 2, eff.

Sept. 1, 1983.

Sec. 95.37. DELINQUENT STUDENT LOAN ACCOUNTS; VENUE. A suit by

the Texas State University System on its own behalf or on behalf

of a component institution of the Texas State University System

to recover a delinquent student loan, account, or debt owed to

the Texas State University System or a component institution of

the Texas State University System shall be brought in Travis

County.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 403, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1,

1987.