Updates Regarding Flexible Work Arrangements, Account Security, SB-412, Student Pregnancy, and GA-48
Alternative and Flexible Work Arrangements
As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with university policies regarding alternative and flexible work arrangements, we must properly document them through Workday. Per university procedure 33.06.01.C0.01, Flexible Work Arrangements, employees working remotely, whether full-time or part-time, must have an approved flexible work arrangement on file. This ensures that the university maintains accurate records and meets all necessary compliance requirements.
All remote work arrangements should be entered or renewed in Workday on an annual basis at the beginning of each fiscal year (September 1).
If you have any questions or need assistance with submitting documentation in Workday, please reach out to Human Resources via email: Human.Resources@tamucc.edu.
Security Reminder: Protect Your Account
Recent security incidents have involved employees approving unauthorized Duo two-factor authentication requests, resulting in compromised accounts and redirection of paycheck deposits. Do not approve Duo requests you have not initiated yourself.
Per university policy, employees are solely responsible for safeguarding their login credentials and ensuring their accounts remain secure. This includes the obligation to:
- Approve only Duo authentication requests you personally initiate.
- Immediately deny and report any Duo request you did not initiate.
- Reset your password and notify the IT Service Desk if you suspect your account has been compromised.
Important Notice: The university will not be responsible for any funds, including paychecks, or other information compromised due to an employee’s approval of an unauthorized Duo request. Further, failure to comply with security requirements constitutes a violation of university policy and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Detailed information on cybersecurity requirements can be found in the university’s Cybersecurity Controls Standards Catalog.
For assistance, contact the IT Service Desk at 361-825-2692 or submit a ticket through the Service Portal.
SB412: Harmful Material and Minors
Texas Senate Bill 412 (SB412) removed the affirmative defense for use of “harmful material” for educational purposes. This means that using such materials for educational purposes is not automatically protected. The Texas Penal Code Section 43.24(a)(2) definition of “harmful material” is as follows:
- Material whose dominant theme taken as a whole:
- Appeals to the prurient interest of a minor in sex, nudity, or excretion;
- Is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable for minors; and
- Is utterly without redeeming social value for minors.
There are two critical aspects of this.
- The material must be prurient in nature. Prurient is defined as "having or encouraging an excessive or inappropriate interest in sexual matters, especially the sexual activities and intimate affairs of others."
- Also, please note that all three of these criteria must be met for material to be considered harmful to minors.
Also, please understand that we cannot and will not be restricting all classes to non-minors as a reaction to SB412. It is not in the best interests of our students, our community, or our institution to do so. It could potentially disrupt degree paths for students and length their time to degree if not thought-out carefully. And it is not necessary given the definition of harmful materials under the penal code. Also, please remember that this consideration impacts more than dual credit, as we have many (approx. 100) FTIC students who start at 17 and turn 18 in the following months.
If there are unique cases of concern that warrant such actions as limiting enrollment to non-minors, faculty members should discuss these with their dean/director.
Student Pregnancy Guidelines Under Title IX
In accordance with Title IX, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and does not discriminate against any student or exclude any student from its education programs or activities, including any class or extracurricular activity, based on such student’s pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom, unless the student requests voluntarily to participate in a separate portion of the program or activity. The university will not apply any rules concerning a student’s actual or potential parental, family, or marital status that treat students differently based on sex.
Students requesting excused absences and other academic accommodations due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions are responsible for submitting a written request to the Employee Development & Compliance Services Department (EDCS), which serves as the Title IX office, as outlined in university procedure 08.01.01.C1.01, Student Pregnancy and Parenting Support. EDCS will review the request, obtain necessary supporting documentation, and notify the instructors of any/all approved accommodations. Students can also email EDCS at employee.relations@tamucc.edu or call 361-5826 for questions.
Parenting students or legal guardians of children under 18 are also eligible for priority registration. Additional details on eligibility requirements and the registration process can be found on Care and Assistance’s Resources for Pregnant and Parenting Students website.
New GA-48 FAQ
The Texas A&M University System Ethics and Compliance Office (SECO) has created a website to address frequently asked questions about Executive Order GA-48, which is related to the protection of critical infrastructure and information against foreign adversaries. The FAQ includes topics such as:
- Defining “foreign adversaries” and “countries of concern”
- Travel notice
- Taking or accessing university assets/data while traveling
- Publishing with collaborators from countries of concern
- Advising doctoral students from countries of concern
- Recruitment
- Waivers