Texas Higher Education Ombudsman Lacks Investigation Standards

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board oversees all public colleges in the state, yet it lacks any written policies to ensure its Ombudsman’s investigations are fair or effective. Created in 2025, the Office of the Ombudsman office is tasked with policing state DEI bans and holds the power to recommend that lawmakers defund schools found in violation.

When The Texas Tribune asked for copies of the Ombudsman's policies and procedures.

Ombudsman Brandon Simmons pointed to a page on the office’s website that describes how complaints are filed and sets deadlines for when universities must be notified and respond and when the office must issue reports. It is unclear whether that satisfies the law’s requirements. [¶] The webpage does not explain how the office decides an investigation is warranted, what standard of proof it applies in reaching findings or what recourse universities or employees have if they believe the ombudsman’s findings are wrong. 

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Later, in response to a public records request, the office said it did not possess written policies or procedures for conducting investigations. 

Higher education experts said that speech at public universities could be chilled by the Ombudsman's broad authority and unclear procedures. (Texas Tribune.)

Related posts: Texas is Home to Many Ombuds Programs; Texas Expands Power Over Higher Ed With New Ombuds Office.