Bill Text: TX SCR36 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Urging all public universities in Texas to respond swiftly and decisively to any attempts to occupy or disrupt campus property.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2025-03-17 - Referred to Education K-16 [SCR36 Detail]
Download: Texas-2025-SCR36-Introduced.html
| By: Creighton | S.C.R. No. 36 | |
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| WHEREAS, Public universities are institutions dedicated to | ||
| fostering the pursuit of knowledge, the free exchange of ideas, and | ||
| the maintenance of public safety and order on campus; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In response to recent international events, | ||
| including the conflict between Israel and Hamas, universities | ||
| across the United States have seen a wave of protests, some of which | ||
| have escalated into disruptive occupations and unlawful takeovers | ||
| of university property, threatening public safety and undermining | ||
| the educational mission of these institutions; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Reports from prominent institutions such as | ||
| Columbia University, Harvard University, and the University of | ||
| California system indicate that similar incidents of disruptive | ||
| protests have occurred nationwide during the same period, | ||
| highlighting a growing trend of attempts to seize control of | ||
| university spaces under the guise of protest; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The University of Texas and other public | ||
| institutions in the state have experienced similar protests, | ||
| including attempts to occupy administrative offices, disrupt | ||
| normal campus operations, and unlawfully seize property, putting | ||
| the safety of students, faculty, and staff at risk; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The occupation or takeover of university property | ||
| undermines the rule of law, compromises the mission of public | ||
| universities, and violates the rights of individuals who depend on | ||
| a secure and stable learning environment; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Texas public universities, funded by taxpayer | ||
| dollars, have a duty to uphold order, protect property, and ensure | ||
| lawful and peaceful use of campus spaces; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The State of Texas is committed to maintaining the | ||
| rule of law and preserving the integrity of its public institutions | ||
| of higher learning; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
| hereby urge all public universities in Texas to adopt and enforce | ||
| stringent policies that explicitly prohibit the occupation, | ||
| seizure, or unlawful disruption of university property, including | ||
| academic buildings, administrative offices, public spaces, and the | ||
| replacement of university sanctioned flags; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature urge all public | ||
| universities in Texas to coordinate with local and state law | ||
| enforcement to respond swiftly and decisively to any attempts to | ||
| occupy or disrupt campus property, ensuring the safety of all | ||
| individuals and the uninterrupted operation of university | ||
| activities; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature urge university | ||
| administrations to reaffirm their commitment to protecting the | ||
| constitutional rights of free speech and peaceful assembly while | ||
| making clear that unlawful actions, including the occupation or | ||
| takeover of property, will not be tolerated and will result in | ||
| appropriate disciplinary and legal actions; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official | ||
| copies of this resolution to the governing boards of all public | ||
| universities in Texas, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating | ||
| Board, and the office of the governor, as an expression of the Texas | ||
| Legislature's intent to protect the integrity, safety, and order of | ||
| Texas public universities. | ||
