Statement on Institutional Integrity and Public Accountability

Sul Ross State University Statement on Institutional Integrity and Public Accountability

Sul Ross State University (SRSU) is committed to academic excellence, innovative research, transparent operations, and service. As a public institution governed by the Texas State University System (TSUS) Board of Regents and the laws of the State of Texas, SRSU maintains clear policies that uphold institutional integrity and student success.

Below is an outline of how current SRSU policies, TSUS Board rules, and Texas state statutes directly address and affirm the areas identified in the U.S. Department of Education’s Call to Action.

1. Transparency and Merit in Admissions

Institutional Alignment
- SR admissions criteria are fully transparent, publicly disclosed, and grounded in best practices.
Governing Policies and Statutes
- Texas Education Code § 51.803: Uniform Admission Policy
- TSUS Rules & Regulations, Chapter VI, Section 1: Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions Standards.

2. Free speech and Open Inquiry

Institutional Alignment
- SRSU safeguards First Amendment expressions and academic discourse through content-neutral guidelines that preserve campus security and operational continuity.
Governing Policies and Statutes
- Texas Education Code § 51.9315: Protected Expression on Campus.
- TSUS Rules & Regulations, Chapter VII, paragraph 3.4
- SRSU Academic Policy Manual 4.17 Freedom of Speech and Expressive Activity

3. Intellectual Pluralism and Academic Vitality

Institutional Alignment
- Faculty hiring and evaluation focuses on subject-matter expertise, teaching excellence, and high-impact scholarship.
Governing Policies and Statutes
- TSUS Rules & Regulations, Chapter V: Component Faculty Rules and Academic Freedom Commitments.
- Texas Education Code § 51.3525 (Senate Bill 17): Responsibility of Governing Boards regarding DEI initiatives, requiring annual compliance certification to the State Legislature and THECB.
- Texas Education Code / SB 37 (89th Leg.): Governance Framework for General Education Curriculum Review, Faculty Council Oversight, and THECB Ombudsman Compliance Monitoring.
- SRSU Faculty Handbook 2.02 Employment and Status Requirements for Faculty
- SRSU Faculty Handbook 2.07 Faculty Rights, Responsibilities, and Standards of Conduct

4. Affordability, Value and Student Outcomes

Institutional Alignment
- SRSU maintains cost control, transparent fee structures, and degree alignment with workforce needs.
- SRSU’s Tuition, Fees, and Payment Options Brochure
Governing Policies & Statutes:
- Texas Education Code § 54.017: Fixed Tuition Price Plans and Transparency Requirements.
- TSUS Board of Regents Regulations: Chapter III (Finance and Operational Cost-Containment Standards).
- SB 37 (89th Leg.) Program & Curriculum Standards: Mandatory review of degree and minor programs for workforce demand and financial ROI.
- Public Accountability Metrics: Student outcome, graduation rate, and median post-graduation earning datasets reported transparently via the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Interactive Dashboards.

5. Academic Standards and Rigor in the Age of AI

Institutional Alignment:
- SRSU expects and enforces enforces standards of academic honesty and follows all state and system guidelines.
Governing Policies & Statutes:
- SRSU Student Handbook: Academic Honesty
- SRSU Syllabi Guidelines: required SRSU syllabi statement regarding Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and recommended SRSU syllabi statement regarding Academic Integrity.

6. Safeguarding research integrity from foreign influence

Institutional Alignment:
- SRSU protects intellectual property, data assets, and sponsored research from unauthorized foreign influence or trade-secret theft.
Governing Policies & Statutes:
- Texas Education Code § 51.956 & Texas S.B. 1565: Research Security and Foreign Influence Standards.
- Texas Education Code Chapter 51B (House Bill 127 – 89th Leg.): State Research Security Standards establishing foreign researcher screening protocols, international travel monitoring, Higher Education Research Security Council (HERSC) participation, and prohibitions on foreign adversary gifts and contracts.
- Governor’s Executive Directive GA-48 / Federal NSPM-33 Standards: Mandatory research security training and restricted travel reporting.
- Penal Code § 31.05: Research Security Officer designation and trade-secret protection enforcement.
- SRSU Research Security Committee
- SRSU Academic Policy Manual 2.37 Transactions Involving Foreign Adversary Countries

7. Prioritizing American interests and workforce needs

Institutional Alignment:
- SRSU aligns research and credentials directly with national, state, and local priorities and workforce demands.
Governing Policies & Statutes:
- THECB Building a Talent-Strong Texas workforce alignment framework.
- SRSU Strategic Plan: Our Student-Centric Focus 2022-2027
- SRSU Academic Policy Manual 3.02 Purchasing

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