General Counsel

The OGC practice areas are in three primary concentrations: general law, business law, and governance. Below is a summary of each of these areas of responsibility:

General Law - These legal matters involve employees and students in the human resources and student affairs areas. Such matters include:

• Employment and civil rights complaints
• Tort/personal injury matters
• Student discipline, grievances, and claims
• Litigation and liaison with the attorney general's office
• Review of personnel and student policies and handbooks
• Administrative and due process hearings
• Mediations and other dispute resolution matters

Business Law - These legal matters involve the commercial and business activities of all campuses, except for human resources. Such matters include:

• Commercial and business transactions
• State purchasing guidelines and requirements
• Contract and other document review and drafting
• Review of business affairs policies and handbooks
• Environmental, health and safety issues
• Real estate leases, sales, purchases and easements
• Affiliation agreements, grants, and sponsored programs

Governance Law – These legal matters are generally handled by the Vice Chancellor and General Counsel and involve governance and System level legal policy and executive initiatives, including the following:

• Support of regents, chancellor, system, and campus executives
• Interpreting and revising System Rules and Regulations
• Issuing legal opinions
• Legislative review, analysis, and research (as requested)
• Oversight of Office of General Counsel
• Advise on the Open Meetings Act, postings, and notices
• Retaining, and overseeing the work of outside legal counsel
• Working with System Public Information Act Coordinator
• Serve as System ethics officer
• Special projects for Board and chancellor as requested

• Synopsis
• Rules and Regulations
  Last Updated November 2025

• Duties and Ethics of Board Members
• Govt. Code, Chapter 556 - Political Activities by Certain Public Entities and Individuals 
• Govt. Code, Chapter 572 - Personal Financial Disclosure, Standards of Conduct, Conflict of Interest 

• Education Code, Chapter 95 - Administration of The Texas State University System 
• Education Code, Chapter 96 - Institutions of The Texas State University System 

• Photo and Video Release - Updated Jan 2024
• Participation Release and Idemnity - MINORS - Updated Jan 2024
• Participation Release and Idemnity - ADULT - Updated Jan 2024

Public Information Act

During the 88th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature, SB 17 was passed and subsequently signed into law.  SB 17 relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public institutions of higher education.

• Guidance on Implementation of SB 17 (PDF)
• TSUS Rule relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives: Chapter 7, Paragraph 5 - Prohibited Initiatives on page 159 (PDF) 
• Enrolled version of SB 17 (PDF)
• Report potential violations of SB 17

All requests to retain outside counsel must be handled through the Vice Chancellor and General Counsel (VCGC).  Campuses may not retain or utilize services provided by outside counsel without first receiving authorization and approval from the VCGC.  All Request to Retain Outside Counsel (RtR) shall be handled by the TSUS Office of General Counsel.

If a campus requires legal services from any outside counsel, please contact the Office of General Counsel.