88R7528 JTZ-F
By: Creighton S.B. No. 2030
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of The University of Texas at Austin
Civitas School of Civic and International Leadership.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 67, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter F to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER F. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS CIVITAS SCHOOL OF CIVIC AND
INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Sec. 67.81. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "school" means
The University of Texas Civitas School of Civic and International
Leadership.
Sec. 67.82. ACADEMIC UNIT OF UNIVERSITY. The University of
Texas Civitas School of Civic and International Leadership is an
academic unit of The University of Texas at Austin with the
authority to house tenured or tenure-track faculty.
Sec. 67.83. ORGANIZATION; FACULTY ALLOTMENT; APPOINTMENTS.
(a) The school shall be led by a dean, who shall:
(1) report to the university's president and provost;
and
(2) serve as the school's executive director.
(b) The school must be allotted at least fifteen tenured or
tenure-track faculty positions.
(c) A faculty member of the school may hold or obtain joint
appointment in another unit of the university.
Sec. 67.84. BOARD OF ADVISORS. (a) The inaugural dean of
the school, in consultation with the board and the university's
president, shall appoint a board of advisors to serve staggered
terms.
(b) The board of advisors shall participate in any future
processes to select successor deans of the school.
Sec. 67.85. PURPOSES. The purposes of the school are to:
(1) educate future civic leaders through the study of
the ideas, institutions, and practices that sustain free societies;
(2) educate future global leaders in strategy and
statecraft by integrating the wisdom of history with current
challenges;
(3) assist in ensuring that The University of Texas at
Austin promotes independent thought, civil discourse, and free
speech among students enrolled at the university; and
(4) provide United States civics education training
and resources to teachers in public schools in this state.
Sec. 67.86. COURSES, PROGRAMS, AND EVENTS. The school may
offer general education courses, honors courses, undergraduate or
graduate degree programs, nondegree programs, and public events
that further the school's purposes described by Section 67.85.
Sec. 67.87. PHILANTHROPIC NAME CHANGE. The board may
change the first word of school's name consistent with the board's
philanthropic naming governance procedures.
Sec. 67.88. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than February 1 of
each year, the dean of the school shall submit to the chair of each
standing committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction
over higher education a report that includes:
(1) the total amount of funding received by the school
during the preceding calendar year;
(2) a description of the current faculty positions,
courses, and degree programs offered by the school; and
(3) a description of significant special events or
initiatives offered by the school during the preceding calendar
year.
SECTION 2. Not later than January 15, 2024, The University
of Texas at Austin shall establish The University of Texas Civitas
School of Civic and International Leadership as provided by
Subchapter F, Chapter 67, Education Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Not later than February 1, 2025, the dean of The
University of Texas Civitas School of Civic and International
Leadership shall submit the initial report required by Section
67.88, Education Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.