Federal and State Policy Change Updates

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

We have seen several new federal actions this week that impact our institution, and I want to assure you that our Government Relations and leadership teams are staying on top of these developments. As these changes occur, we are working to ensure affected individuals have access to information and resources, and we are ensuring that lawmakers, agencies and higher education organizations understand the actual and potential effects of these changes on our institution and the people who comprise it. In addition to changes at the federal level, the 89th Texas State Legislature continues to advance legislation that will affect our university, and we have included information on that process as well.

Immigration-related Policy Changes

As of this morning, the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) has confirmed that 23 Texas A&M University students have had their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record terminated, which essentially terminates their legal status in the United States. Earlier this week, I communicated on this topic to all faculty, staff and students across all our locations. We are sharing information and guidance with our international students and scholars, and our Immigration Affairs team has information available for non-student employees. Please note that the information from Immigration Affairs is not intended for students. Faculty and staff should refer students to ISSS for guidance. In addition to these changes in status for certain individuals, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin considering social media activity as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests. We’ve updated our international faculty, staff and students on this new policy.

The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) is requesting a briefing from DHS and the Department of State on additional information regarding the underlying policies behind the recent international student legal status changes, and future actions, that may impact international students and scholars. APLU is also meeting with key leaders in the State Department and Congress to support our own advocacy efforts. Our Government Relations team is engaged and communicating with legislators as well. We recognize the impact these changes are having on our international community, and I remind us all that we are a family at Texas A&M. We will continue doing everything in our power to support our students, faculty and staff.

International Travel Guidance

Earlier this week, the university’s Immigration Affairs team shared guidance on international travel with all international faculty and staff. In an effort to comply with the requirement to report personal travel to countries specified in Governor Abbott’s Executive Action GA-48, “Hardening State Government Against Foreign Threats,” Workday Services finalized a Certification of Personal Travel to a Foreign-Adversary process and accompanying guide. If you have questions about the Workday form, please contact hrnetwork@tamu.edu. The GA-48 Implementation Committee will distribute additional guidance on the various requirements of this executive order as it is finalized. Questions can be directed to the co-chairs of the committee, Dr. Michael Johnson and Jason Boyle.

NIH Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Cost Ruling

Several national organizations, including the APLU and Association of American Universities (AAU), announced earlier this week that they are working with the research community to proactively develop a more efficient and transparent model of the current F&A cost structure. This model will address concerns with university finance, grant administration, regulatory compliance and research project leadership, among other issues, alongside the research community, with the goal of submission to the federal government for consideration.  

89th State Legislature Updates

The 89th State Legislature has hundreds of active bills that could affect higher education, including House Bill (HB) 17, Senate Bill (SB) 37, HB 173, SB 2615 and SB 2647 to name a few. The Government Relations team, along with the help of experts across the university, continues to analyze the potential impact of these bills as they move through the process and is communicating appropriately on them with legislators and their staff. We appreciate those who continue to help us understand the potential impacts, like the Faculty Senate Legislative Affairs Committee. As is typical in the state’s legislative process, a much smaller number will ultimately pass and become law. Throughout the process, bills will continue to evolve as legislators consider the input received by Texas A&M and others. University leaders continue to engage with legislators and their staff, as well as through hearings, to provide that important input in formal and informal settings. Just this week, Christopher Reed, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, provided invited testimony in a legislative hearing on the state’s automatic admissions policy.

Our GR team informed us that early this morning, the bill containing the state’s biennium budget (SB 1) was passed on the floor of the Texas House. The next step is for both chambers to resolve the differences in each spending package over the next few weeks via conference committee. The final version of the bill will then be voted on by the conference committee and voted on, again, by each chamber. After that, it goes to the Comptroller for certification and, then, to the Governor for signature. We are working closely with lawmakers in both chambers to ensure the interests of Texas A&M students, faculty and staff are well understood by lawmakers.

Gratitude for Our Faculty, Staff and Students

I would like to again extend our appreciation to our Government Relations team, Julie Kopycinski and Michael Hardy, for their efforts in continuing to work with elected officials, agency leaders and organizations on these complex and evolving matters at the state and federal levels of our government. I also want to reiterate my thanks and appreciation to all of you on behalf of this university. Whether it’s through your teaching, research, service or other participation, you are the reason Texas A&M is a leader among higher education institutions. Our faculty are leaders in their fields and are the heart of our great university. Our staff are incredible in their support of our faculty, students and the university’s mission. And our students – they are the reason we’re here. Thank you – each of you are valued.

We will continue to keep you updated on the changing policy landscape and its effects on our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may access specific guidance for principal investigators. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan
Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President