A bill that awaits Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature would give his appointees unprecedented oversight of the state’s public universities, including the power to reject any course they consider ideologically biased or that doesn’t align with workforce demands.
Senate Bill 37, which advanced to the governor’s desk on June 2, would establish a state-level committee tasked with recommending which courses should be required for graduation. It would also significantly empower each public university system’s board of regents, whose members are appointed by the governor.
Under the bill, those governing boards would create their own committee to review and potentially overturn general education course requirements. The goal, according to the bill’s sponsors, is to make sure the courses are necessary to prepare students for civic and professional life and are justified in cost….