SB 17: Navigating a Path Forward
About Senate Bill 17
Senate Bill 17 (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) was signed into law by the Governor in June 2023. The law goes into effect on January 1, 2024, and charges the governing board of an institution with determining that public institutions act in accordance with the bill.
UTSA acted on Senate Bill 17 compliance in accordance with guidance from The University of Texas System.
UTSA’s SB 17 Review Process
UTSA will move towards SB 17 compliance by following a consultative and iterative internal review process in fall 2023. Learn more in an email sent to the university community in August 2023.
“We want to acknowledge that this is a challenging matter to navigate. As a university, we are committed to adhering to our core values and supporting academic freedom while creating a strategy that aligns with UT System guidelines. Our students, faculty, and staff remain our top priority, and we will ensure our efforts are guided by our deep commitment to the inclusiveness, collaboration, and well-being of all Roadrunners.”
- Vice Presidents Heather Shipley, Veronica Salazar, and Carlos Martinez
The Review Process
Anchored in UTSA’s values of inclusivity and shared governance, the review process and engagement strategy will be broad and transparent. The process will be managed by an executive leadership committee which will receive and review the determinations of appointed working and advisory groups to formalize a plan. Recommendations from all groups will be shared with the executive leadership committee, who will work closely with President Eighmy to develop and communicate necessary action steps.
Presidential Review and Approval
President Eighmy
Make final determinations of permissibility based on the recommendations provided.
Executive Leadership Review Committee
- Heather Shipley, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Veronica Salazar, Executive Vice Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Enterprise Development Officer
- Carlos Martinez, Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President for Institutional Strategic Planning, Compliance Risk Management and Office Operations
Make recommendations to the President regarding permissible activities, communicate findings, and direct implementation efforts.
SB 17 Advisory Group
President’s Cabinet and representatives from the Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, and the Student Government Association
Consult and provide advice on the process and serve as a consultative body on determinations.
Program, Activity, and Initiative Review (PAIR) Team
Jason King, Legal Affairs (Coordinator); Norma Guerra, Academic Affairs; Mary Hernandez, Business Affairs; and Katie Meersman, Academic Affairs
Facilitate the collection of materials for review and use a U.T. System approved rubric to make preliminary recommendations based on the characteristics of a program, activity, or initiative.
Campus-Wide Stakeholder Working Group
Members are appointed by each Vice President, Vice Provost, or Dean. Link to full list (available to UTSA community members only)
Implementation Timeline
UTSA’s internal review process is intended to move swiftly in order to provide the Roadrunner community with timely guidance prior to SB 17 going into effect. Regular communication will be provided throughout the process and at key milestones.
Questions or Feedback
If you have questions or would like to share feedback throughout this process, please contact the PAIR Team.
