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Committee adopts misconduct‑reporting review; Texas Lutheran cited for documentation gap
Summary
Board staff reported broad compliance with statutory misconduct‑reporting requirements at reviewed institutions but found documentation gaps at Texas Lutheran University; the committee adopted the report to the legislature.
The Committee on Academic and Workforce Success adopted a staff report to the legislature on April 23 finding that institutions reviewed largely complied with statutory requirements for reporting certain incidents of sexual misconduct, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking, but that Texas Lutheran University lacked documentation to show its board had reviewed and approved related policies.
RB Gonzalez, assistant commissioner for internal audit and compliance, presented the review required by Texas Education Code chapter 51, subchapters E2 and E3 and said staff has authority to assess penalties for substantial noncompliance. Gonzalez told the committee that, for institutions covered by the annual certification process under subchapter E2, all institutions substantially complied and no penalties were assessed; five institutions submitted certifications late this year, down from 11 the prior year, and staff worked with those institutions to secure compliance within the 30‑day cure period before assessing penalties.
Gonzalez said staff also conducted targeted compliance reviews under subchapter E3 at three institutions: Parker University, the University of Dallas and Texas Lutheran University. Parker University and the University of Dallas had no observations. Texas Lutheran, Gonzalez said, could improve documentation showing that its board had reviewed and approved policies as required by section 51.282(f). The institution agreed with staff recommendations to adopt a process for biannual board reviews with formal approval documented.
After Gonzalez concluded, the committee moved to adopt the report to the legislature by motion and approved it by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Why it matters: The review implements statutory oversight of institutions' policies and reporting practices related to sexual misconduct and related offenses and confirms the coordinating board’s role in monitoring compliance and recommending corrective steps when documentation is missing.
What happens next: The report will be adopted as the committee requested and forwarded to the legislature. Texas Lutheran agreed to implement the staff recommendation for biannual board review and formal documentation; the coordinating board staff will follow up as needed to confirm corrective action.
