Members of the governing board can be dismissed only for cause and by due process.
Compliance Rating:
Compliance
Statement of Compliance: Members of the Board of Regents for The University of Texas System can be dismissed only for cause and by due process.
Narrative: Members of the governing board can be dismissed for cause. All regents, as appointed officers of the state, are held to a strict code of conduct as defined in the Texas Government Code, Section 572.051. The Texas Government Code covers Personal Financial Disclosures, Standards of Conduct, and Conflict of Interest. Criminal penalties are detailed for violations and may be brought to the Commission for enforcement and resolution. The Commission reports to the legislature. Since members of the board are appointed by the governor, removal for cause is exercised through impeachment. Causes for removal which include, but are not limited to, willful neglect of duty, incompetency, and breach of trust, may be found in Texas Government Code, Section 665.052.
Members of the governing board can be dismissed by due process. A regent cannot be dismissed, except by impeachment, as provided in the Texas Constitution for gubernatorial appointees. When conducting impeachment proceedings, the house or its committee may "send for papers; compel the giving of testimony; and punish for contempt to the same extent as a district court of the state," thus affording due process to the accused. The Texas Constitution, Article 15, Section 9 states, "the governor who appoints an officer may remove the officer with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the members of the senate." The University of Texas System Board Office has no knowledge of any of the UT System Regents being dismissed.
References:
Source Title
Location/Special Instructions
Impeachment Texas Government Code, TITLE 6. PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, Chapter 665: Impeachment and Removal
