Lance Liguez

Gina Hinojosa’s victory over Greg Abbott has significant implications for Texas higher education. One of the most consequential powers she will inherit is appointing the people who govern the state’s public universities. The first nomination opportunities come quickly. At UT and Texas A&M, the terms for three voting seats expire February 1, 2027, and three more expire February 1, 2029. Texas Tech follows the same three-seat cycle, with terms expiring January 31, 2027, and January 31, 2029. That creates opportunities to nominate successors for six of nine voting seats on each of those three system boards within about two years of taking office. Those dates do not guarantee turnover. Incumbents can hold over until successors qualify, subject to constitutional limits. Recess appointments can permit interim service, but they still face Senate review. A confirmed majority of Hinojosa appointees will depend on navigating the confirmation process. Senate confirmation requires two-thirds of the senators present. With Republicans retaining control of the chamber, GOP senators will have substantial influence over which nominees are confirmed. These appointments carry particular weight after SB 37. The law requires governing boards to review general education curricula and approve or reject hires for provost, deputy provost, associate provost and assistant provost. Boards can also overturn hiring decisions for deans and vice presidents. These are substantial powers over university leadership and academic direction. There is an immediate deadline worth watching: the first curriculum review must be completed by January 1, 2027, before Hinojosa takes office. The existing boards are responsible for that first round of decisions. Vikki Goodwin’s victory over Dan Patrick matters, too. Under current Senate rules, the lieutenant governor has substantial authority over committee appointments and bill referrals. But the Senate sets its own rules, and its Republican majority could narrow those powers. Goodwin also will co-chair the Legislative Budget Board with the House speaker, an important position in state funding decisions. There is another route to influence: the governor appoints the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and, with Senate consent, the higher education ombudsman. Unlike regents serving staggered terms, the ombudsman serves at the governor’s pleasure. Community colleges are also affected. Their trustees are generally elected locally, but public junior colleges fall within SB 37’s curriculum-review requirements and the ombudsman’s jurisdiction under Education Code §§51.315, 61.003 and 61.031. The Coordinating Board also administers their state funding system within statutory and appropriations constraints. Local governance does not insulate them from state policy.