Texas House Bill HB711

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

• Filed: 12/21/16

Caption

Relating to a limitation on the number of certain nontenured or nontenure track faculty employed at public universities.

Impact

If enacted, this legislation would amend the Texas Education Code by adding a new section that directly affects the employment practices at public universities. The restriction on nontenured faculty could lead to a reduction in the hiring of such faculty members, thereby impacting teaching flexibility and potentially altering the balance of faculty composition at these institutions. Institutions may need to adjust their hiring strategies to comply with the new regulations, which could affect operational costs and the availability of specialized courses taught by adjunct faculty.

Summary

House Bill 711 introduces a limitation on the employment of nontenured or nontenure track faculty at public universities in Texas. The bill specifies that during any academic year, no more than 25% of the total faculty employed by a general academic teaching institution may be nontenured or nontenure track. This change aims to ensure a more stable academic environment by limiting the number of faculty who do not hold tenure, thereby promoting a focus on tenured positions within universities.

Contention

The proposed limitation may provoke debate regarding the implications for academic freedom, diversity of teaching staff, and the hiring practices of universities. Proponents might argue that a robust tenured faculty contributes to the institutional knowledge and stability necessary for academic integrity. Conversely, opponents may argue that restricting nontenured faculty can reduce opportunities for qualified educators to teach and limit the universities' agility in responding to enrollment fluctuations and changing educational needs.