1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

This is to clearly state my total and strongest opposition to SB 37. SB 37 will take away any remaining academic freedom left to public higher education in Texas, removing that from its individual universities. It is astonishing how little trust or faith the supporters of SB 37 have in Texas college/university faculty! Creating a centralized governing body will make Texas government larger, not smaller. What an irony. Already, top faculty no longer wants to come to Texas. This SB 37 will be an continuation of final nails in the coffin to excellence in Texas public higher education. I was a college professor for 40+ years. I experienced the chipping away of my voice as an educator, muzzling it, and the destruction of any true respect for my knowledge and expertise in my discipline and professional field. Why is the Texas government so committed to wasting tax money on disastrous bills? This bill will take away any autonomy a teacher has over curriculum, peer review, shared governance, and frankly, the ability to offer instruction that includes joy of education, and joyful pursuit of lifelong learning. I thank God every day that my own education did not have this stifling of excellence in the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. I thank God I was able to pass that down to my daughter and my former students. But now I fear for future students and faculty in Texas. SB 37 is a terrible bill. Please do the right thing for Texas students and vote NO.