Seliger, Dewhurst Take Action Regarding Regents
Two days after lawmakers’ emotional show of support for President Powers, Senate higher education chair Kel Seliger has filed legislation relating to the role of the University’s Board of Regents.
Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) filed legislation Wednesday afternoon that would more carefully define the appointment process and limit the duties of the University of Texas System Board of Regents.
Senate Bill 15 would require regents to be confirmed by the Senate prior to voting on board matters—effectively eliminating a recess appointment by the Governor—and would require appointees to undergo training on ethics and procedures prior to voting on budgetary and personnel matters.
The bill would also greatly delineate existing statutes regarding regents’ responsibilities. If passed, the bill would mandate that duties not specifically stated in law for university boards are reserved for university administrators. Seliger said the changes to the education code are meant to clarify governance and management of universities and university systems around the state, and that as the bill is considered, its specifics may change.
“There may be some rough edges at this point,” said Seliger, who serves as chairman of the Senate higher education committee. “And those will be refined.” He noted that the bill does not imply more control over institutions by the Legislature. The bill has nine bipartisan co-authors alongside Seliger.
Earlier this week, the passage of a resolution honoring UT president Bill Powers became a flashpoint in the ongoing tensions reported between Powers and the Board of Regents. Last week, extended questioning of Powers at an otherwise typical board meeting raised eyebrows and stoked rumors of increased unease between the University administrator and the governor-appointed regents that oversee the nine-university System. On Friday, Texas Monthly‘s Paul Burka reported that regents were aiming to remove Powers, a reprise of concerns voiced last year.
In his remarks on the Senate floor Monday, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst alluded to “character assassination” and “micromanagement” of Powers by unnamed regents. Dewhurst called on lawmakers to investigate the actions of regents Tuesday. House higher education chairman Dan Branch (R-Dallas) has requested legal analysis on whether regents can be impeached or recalled, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Dewhurst released a statement Wednesday announcing the renewal of a joint higher education oversight committee to be chaired by Seliger and Branch. The Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency will bring together House and Senate members to “discuss governance in our higher education systems,” according to the statement. Sen. Judith Zaffirni (D-Laredo), BS ’67, MA ’70, PhD ’78, Life Member, chaired the committee in 2011. She will remain on the committee this session.
The chairs of the joint committee will work with Zaffirini to define the group’s scope, according to Seliger, who said Senate Bill 15 is more likely to end up in the Senate higher education committee.
Seliger voiced his respect for Powers last week in the Texas Exes’ UT Advocates podcast. “Bill Powers has a tough job,” Seliger said about UT’s leadership. “What a tremendous job to actually have a place in better shape than when you came. It’s rare leadership.”
Update: UT Board of Regents chairman Gene Powell released a statement Friday in response to the events of Monday:
Over the last few days, I have had several good conversations with Governor Dewhurst, in which he and I have discussed recent events in the Texas Senate and at The University of Texas System. I informed him of my belief that some statements made in recent days, particularly about members of the UT System Board of Regents, surely had to be the result of misinformation and were either incorrect or inaccurate. I know my fellow regents; they are outstanding individuals and I stand behind them fully.
Dewhurst subsequently told the Texas Tribune he has learned additional information and perspectives as is glad the Joint Oversight Committee, which he and Speaker Joe Strauss reappointed, will look into all the facts.
You can subscribe to the UT Advocates podcast on iTunes.
Learn more about Texas Exes advocacy efforts here.
You can become a UT Advocate here, or sign up for advocacy emails here.
The Texas Senate dais. Photo courtesy DaveWilsonPhotography via Flickr Creative Commons.
Share this article
![UT Is Transforming Education [Watch]](http://alcalde.texasexes.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Picture-2.png){kind=small}
-
Rose Cahalan: Hi James, The Gatsby display case and a few other materials will be available fo...
-
James Reinhardt: What are the hours at the Ransom Center. Will it be open on Monday, 5/27/2013...
-
Tom: Soon we'll have crazy fire ants. These will be ants who do terrible, destructiv...
-
David N. Currey: The article implies that the crazy ants aren't in Texas yet ("...it'll be a very...
-
Spencer: Oh how I miss access to Web of Science... To be fair, you can read the abstract...
3 Comments
What began as an anti-intellectual challenge to UT’s core strength as a public research institution has devolved into an anti-UT and now clearly anti-Bill Powers movement. The tactics of detractors have been nasty, far from transparent, and reprehensible. Please stop the assault. Students, faculty, and Texas citizens deserve better from those authorized to govern.
I am having a hard time with all of this anti-regent rhetoric. The liberal media and public have condemned the regents because of the statements Lt. Gov. Dewhurst made when speaking of “character assassination” and “micromanagement” of the regents toward President Powers.
Misinformation is dangerous in the hands of powerful people, especially when propagated by the media as gospel. In the eyes of the public, it is impossible to know for sure the truth of the information when presented so passionately. Contrary to the allegations, strong support has come from Chairman Powell as well as from the Governor in support of the regents.
Because Dewhurst had the floor and the audience, his voice was heard loud and clear as the truth. Yet… all the claims are unsubstantiated. We have yet to see any truth, documentation or facts to support the “micromanagement” charges.
It is the job of a regent to govern and guide the University System to the best of his or her ability. Governor Perry appointed the regents and the Texas State Senate confirmed the regents. It is odd now that there is so much distaste from from the Senate with calls for investigations when the regents are doing exactly what they were sworn in to do.
Could it be the senate just doesn’t like that the President is to be held accountable; so they condemn the ones whose job it is to do so. President Powers is simply having to explain his decisions as to why he has or has not met certain guidelines and goals, which he should absolutely do. Yes, we know… He is a good guy. But, responsibility and accountability are at the core of the issue.
The administration works for the Regents, not the other way around. Dewhurst has created more distrust, tension and distraction with his alleged misinformation and misinterpretation of the responsibility of the regents to govern.
It is completely within the rights of the regents to demand accountability of the administration to the taxpayers of Texas, students and parents. Additionally the leaders in the Senate and the Lt. Gov. also need to be accountable and responsible to the citizens of Texas.
Dewhurst and others may have been misinformed themselves, but the words are false. The allegations are uncorroborated and should be treated as such.
Until we see evidence or information that supports the “micromanagement” claim, the regents should not be so disproportionately criticized and unjustly investigated. Respectfully, what is your agenda, Lt. Gov. and Senator Seliger?
- C. Madison
C. Madison, I agree with you 100%. It is good to see some reason and balance in the comments to these articles. We have too much polarization and yelling in our discourse. The UT goverance issue warrants calm, deliberate discussion. Too many accusations, too much name-calling and, not enough details.