Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SCR36 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	By: Creighton S.C.R. No. 36
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6	6	SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
7	7	WHEREAS, Public universities are institutions dedicated to
8	8	fostering the pursuit of knowledge, the free exchange of ideas, and
9	9	the maintenance of public safety and order on campus; and
10	10	WHEREAS, In response to recent international events,
11	11	including the conflict between Israel and Hamas, universities
12	12	across the United States have seen a wave of protests, some of which
13	13	have escalated into disruptive occupations and unlawful takeovers
14	14	of university property, threatening public safety and undermining
15	15	the educational mission of these institutions; and
16	16	WHEREAS, Reports from prominent institutions such as
17	17	Columbia University, Harvard University, and the University of
18	18	California system indicate that similar incidents of disruptive
19	19	protests have occurred nationwide during the same period,
20	20	highlighting a growing trend of attempts to seize control of
21	21	university spaces under the guise of protest; and
22	22	WHEREAS, The University of Texas and other public
23	23	institutions in the state have experienced similar protests,
24	24	including attempts to occupy administrative offices, disrupt
25	25	normal campus operations, and unlawfully seize property, putting
26	26	the safety of students, faculty, and staff at risk; and
27	27	WHEREAS, The occupation or takeover of university property
28	28	undermines the rule of law, compromises the mission of public
29	29	universities, and violates the rights of individuals who depend on
30	30	a secure and stable learning environment; and
31	31	WHEREAS, Texas public universities, funded by taxpayer
32	32	dollars, have a duty to uphold order, protect property, and ensure
33	33	lawful and peaceful use of campus spaces; and
34	34	WHEREAS, The State of Texas is committed to maintaining the
35	35	rule of law and preserving the integrity of its public institutions
36	36	of higher learning; now, therefore, be it
37	37	RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas
38	38	hereby urge all public universities in Texas to adopt and enforce
39	39	stringent policies that explicitly prohibit the occupation,
40	40	seizure, or unlawful disruption of university property, including
41	41	academic buildings, administrative offices, public spaces, and the
42	42	replacement of university sanctioned flags; and, be it further
43	43	RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature urge all public
44	44	universities in Texas to coordinate with local and state law
45	45	enforcement to respond swiftly and decisively to any attempts to
46	46	occupy or disrupt campus property, ensuring the safety of all
47	47	individuals and the uninterrupted operation of university
48	48	activities; and, be it further
49	49	RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature urge university
50	50	administrations to reaffirm their commitment to protecting the
51	51	constitutional rights of free speech and peaceful assembly while
52	52	making clear that unlawful actions, including the occupation or
53	53	takeover of property, will not be tolerated and will result in
54	54	appropriate disciplinary and legal actions; and, be it further
55	55	RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
56	56	copies of this resolution to the governing boards of all public
57	57	universities in Texas, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
58	58	Board, and the office of the governor, as an expression of the Texas
59	59	Legislature's intent to protect the integrity, safety, and order of
60	60	Texas public universities.