Legislative Guidance

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The following guidance addresses questions related to Senate Bill 17 and its application across Texas Tech University. It includes information for faculty, academic units and other university employees regarding institutional funding and activities, academic instruction, research, external funding and accreditation.

Use of Institutional Funds

Institutional funds may generally be used for certain student organization, professional development, research and scholarly activities when applicable university procedures and requirements are followed.

Permitted Uses

1. Registered student organizations and related activities may receive institutional funds for activities related to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity and/or sexual orientation, provided that:
   1. There are published procedures for applying for funds.
   2. There are published procedures for reviewing applications.
   3. All recognized student organizations are eligible to apply for funds.
   4. The funded organization does not have exclusive membership policies.
2. Employee memberships in outside professional organizations whose activities may include trainings or programs related to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity and/or sexual orientation may be supported, provided that:
   1. There are published procedures for applying for funds.
   2. There are published procedures for reviewing applications.
   3. All employees are eligible to apply for funds for similar outside membership programs.
   4. The professional organization is not a TTU-operated organization or program and its activities are not used as an alternative means of mandated DEI training or programming.
   5. The funded organization does not have exclusive membership policies.
3. Participation in external professional development may be supported for employees and students attending external, non-TTU-sponsored conferences or professional development activities, including activities that may relate to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity and/or sexual orientation, provided that:
   1. There are published procedures for applying for funds.
   2. There are published procedures for reviewing applications.
4. Faculty research and creative activity may be supported through travel and associated costs related to publication or presentation of research and creative works. These expenses should be treated and processed according to standard university policies and procedures.

Restrictions on Institutional Funds

TTU, colleges and university units may not use institutional funds to conduct or promote activities, programs, events or initiatives related to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity and/or sexual orientation except for:

• Faculty, student or research personnel activities specific to scholarly research or creative work.
• Academic coursework.
• Activities required by an already-existing grant, subject to continued university review.

Appropriated funds may not be used to fund such programs, events or initiatives.

Guidance for Units & Employees

University Offices, Programs & Activities

Neither Texas Tech University nor its units may retain or house offices, trainings, initiatives, events, activities or named groups relating to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Activities specifically required by a currently funded and already-existing external federal grant may be permitted when they are not funded by appropriated funds, although such grants may remain subject to university review.

Grant & Accreditation Statements

For purposes of applying for a grant or complying with accreditation requirements, TTU units may provide statements that:

• Highlight the institution's work supporting first-generation college students, low-income students or underserved student populations.
• Certify compliance with state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

Campus Programming

Units may generally continue to host certain programming that incidentally addresses topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion. This is generally limited to:

• Guest speakers or performers visiting campus for short-term engagements.
• Programs offered or conducted by student organizations.
• Programs open to all members of the campus community.

TTU employees may assist with logistics, preparation, execution and promotion of permissible short-term events and activities. Employees serving as advisors to registered student organizations may also assist those organizations with planning events involving these topics when members of the student organization operate, conduct and manage the event.

Programs & Resources

Units may develop and offer focused resources, programs and initiatives not related to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation. Examples include programs focused on economically disadvantaged, rural, urban, first-generation or historically underserved or underutilized populations.

Employees Acting in an Individual Capacity

Employees acting in their individual, private capacities may support, organize or publicize events related to DEI initiatives and topics. University facilities, equipment, supplies and services may only be used for authorized TTU purposes and activities.

Private events organized by employees acting in their individual capacities should not be held in TTU facilities or use TTU funds. Employees should use non-TTU email addresses for both senders and recipients when communicating about non-TTU private events or activities.

Heritage Months

A TTU unit may recognize a heritage month provided that the unit gives equal recognition to all federally designated heritage months.

Recommended approaches include:

• The [unit name] recognizes [name] Heritage Month. The unit may then direct readers to activities conducted by recognized student organizations.
• [Dates] is [name] Heritage Month. The [unit name] recognizes this important month.

Generally, TTU programming or activities advertised as specific to a heritage month are not permitted unless conducted by recognized student organizations or required by an existing grant or other federal requirement. Existing grants requiring such activities may be subject to continued university review.

External Scholarships

Units may, in accordance with existing procedures and standard practices, distribute information to all students about external, non-TTU-administered scholarship opportunities offered by outside organizations, including opportunities that may have particular interest to minority applicants or emphasize the importance of diversity.

Use of University Facilities

Units may approve requests from external organizations to rent or otherwise use TTU facilities and spaces in accordance with university policies and procedures.

• OP 61.01: Use of University Facilities
• OP 61.02: Use of Grounds
• OP 61.39: Use of the International Cultural Center
• OP 61.41: Use of University Classrooms and Facilities

TTU is prohibited from using third parties to perform DEI activities directed at TTU employees or students.

Faculty & Academic Units

Academic Instruction

Academic course instruction and program content are exempt from the prohibitions described in SB 17. Faculty members are not being asked to revise course or program content.

Faculty with questions about how to advertise their courses should consult their department chair, school director or area coordinator.

Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity

Research, scholarship and creative work are generally exempt from the prohibitions described in SB 17. Faculty members are not being asked to change their research, scholarship or creative work.

Faculty may continue to request university funds to support the on- and off-campus publication or distribution of their research, scholarship and creative work. Faculty may also retain statements on TTU-hosted websites identifying their research or creative work, including work that may contain DEI-related language.

Faculty Lectures, Performances & Workshops

Faculty members may generally provide on-campus lectures, performances or workshops that include DEI-related content when that content is a bona fide component of the faculty member's research or creative work.

TTU may support these activities as it generally supports faculty programs, including providing event space, promotion and receptions.

Faculty Hiring

Units may request that job applicants describe specific experiences with diversity, equity or inclusion when:

• The position has a required, bona fide job qualification related to diversity, equity or inclusion.
• The requested description is not a stand-alone description of the applicant's philosophical perspective on diversity, equity or inclusion.

Except for these limited positions, units are prohibited from compelling, requiring, inducing or soliciting a person to provide a DEI statement or giving preferential consideration based on the provision of such a statement.

Academic & Professional Development

Units may generally include instruction on writing DEI statements in academic courses when the instruction is part of the curriculum and prepares students for further study or career pathways.

Units may also offer non-credit workshops or professional development activities that include instruction on writing DEI statements when the training supports student academic achievement or postgraduate outcomes, such as preparation for private-sector careers that may require such statements.

Faculty, Staff & Student Groups

Units may retain or form groups supporting their personnel, such as Faculty, Staff and Student Excellence Committees that promote the value of all members of the campus community and connect individuals with resources available to the campus community.

Admissions

Academic units may ask prospective students to "describe experiences with diversity" as part of an admission application when diversity is a required component of the academic curriculum.

Units are asked to retain the quoted language when requesting this information and may ask students to describe their experiences in the context of the program to which they are applying.

Accreditation & External Funding

Accreditation

Units should review applicable disciplinary accreditation standards to determine whether accreditation requirements conflict with prohibitions articulated in SB 17.

If a potential conflict exists, contact Vice Provost for Faculty Success Genevieve Durham DeCesaro. The Vice Provost will consult with the Office of General Counsel regarding recommendations for addressing potential conflicts.

Existing Federal Grants

Faculty should continue to comply with requirements specific to existing federal grants and grants awarded before Dec. 31, 2023. Such grants, including renewals, may remain subject to continued TTU review.

Faculty should not continue such requirements when the grants are funded with appropriated funds.

New & Pending Grants

Faculty with state-level grants or federal grants currently under review that require specific DEI activities or statements should consult with Managing Director for the Office of Research Services Cui Romo.

Faculty considering applying for federal grants with requirements or restrictions affected by SB 17 should also consult with Cui Romo before applying.

Hispanic Serving Institution Resources

Units with questions about offering resources or programming related to TTU's status as a Hispanic Serving Institution should contact Outreach & Engagement.