Updates regarding DEI, GA-48/Travel to Countries of Concern, and Immigration Enforcement
DEI
In the 88th session, the Texas legislature passed SB 17, which prohibits all Texas public colleges and universities from establishing or maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, and bans the hiring or assignment of an employee to perform the duties of a DEI office. The language of the bill can be read here and the Texas A&M University System’s implementation of SB 17 is addressed in System Policy 08.01, Civil Rights Protections and Compliance.
The university has created a DEI Law Operations Manual to outline the procedures facilitating compliance with SB 17. Any concerns or complaints regarding compliance with SB 17 should be reported to the System’s risk, fraud and misconduct hotline.
GA-48
In compliance with Executive Order GA-48, state employees traveling for personal purposes to a country that is designated as foreign adversary by the State of Texas must now submit both a pre-and post-trip certification of travel through Workday. This requirement enhances security measures and ensures compliance with state regulations. As of this writing, countries that are considered a foreign adversary are China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuelan politician Nicolas Maduro (Maduro Regime).
A new business process has been created in Workday to assist employees. Prior to travel, employees must use the Create Request business process to submit their departure and return dates and location of travel. The workflow includes a step for the manager, whose role is to review and approve the request as part of the procedural requirements. Upon return from travel, the employee will again use the Create Request business process and must confirm and submit their departure and return dates, in addition to the purpose of the trip (visiting family, taking vacation, etc.). In addition to approval by the employee’s supervisor, the Division of Institutional Excellence will also review the trip purpose for compliance.
A new job aid with step-by-step instructions is available through the Workday Help site or by visiting the Certification of Personal Travel to Foreign Adversary page. If you have any questions regarding GA-48, please contact Human Resources.
Immigration Enforcement
Law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), are permitted to enter public areas on campus. Access to nonpublic areas, like on-campus residence halls and dormitories, typically requires a search warrant. If you are presented with a warrant to access a restricted area by a law enforcement officer, please listen to their instructions, comply, and immediately notify the University Police Department at 361-825-4242.
Additionally, educational records are protected under FERPA. If you receive a request for university records/documents or other information you feel may be protected by FERPA, please notify the Office of the Registrar immediately at registrar@tamucc.edu or 361-825-7245. The Office of the Registrar will review and determine what action, if any, should be taken.