Messages from the Provost

Dear Colleagues,

As part of our commitment to providing regular updates on the work underway as we prepare for the summer and fall 2026 semesters, please see this week’s key reminders and updates below.

Summer and Fall 2026 Syllabus Review

As a reminder, deans are required to submit summer course exception requests under System Policy 08.01 by Wednesday, March 18. Your dean or department head should provide you with a deadline to facilitate the college-level review that needs to occur before deans submit.

As you conduct your syllabi reviews for the summer and fall semesters, please follow the guidance from your deans and department heads and use the Guidance on Syllabus Reviews webpage as a resource. Faculty are encouraged to work with their department head or dean if interpretation is needed. The webpage will continue to be updated as additional questions arise or further clarifications are developed.

If you are teaching a non-core undergraduate or graduate course this summer that may require an exception, please ensure your materials are routed through your department head according to your respective college’s or school's process. Timely submission remains essential to allow time for committee review, provost recommendation and presidential consideration. As a reminder, these deadlines are being driven with the students in mind, working to ensure we have all reviews complete before open registration for the summer and fall.

Additionally, if you are looking for the minimum syllabus requirements, you may find those on the Faculty Advisory Council website.

Sylklabi Review Resources

The webpage will continue to be updated as additional questions arise or further clarifications are available. Guidance on Syllabus Reviews webpage includes:
•    Relevant System Policy excerpts (08.01 and 12.01)
•    Definitions of key terms (e.g., “advocate,” “teach”)
•    Clarifications on classroom context
•    Timeline milestones
•    Frequently asked questions

Simple Syllabus Status Update

•    Fall 2026 course descriptions will be pre-populated in Simple Syllabus on March 16.
•    Faculty may begin completing and uploading fall syllabi at that time.
•    Submission in Simple Syllabus will automatically notify your department head and initiate the review workflow established by your dean.

In addition, Simple CVs (automatically generated from the Faculty Affairs Portal and Compass) are in development. Once fully implemented, faculty will only need to review the auto-populated information for accuracy and click submit. Additional technical guidance will be shared prior to the Aug. 24 deadline.

For summer courses, syllabi do not need to be submitted through Simple Syllabus unless your college has directed otherwise.

Accessibility and Syllabus Design

As part of this transition to Simple Syllabus, we also encourage faculty to review accessibility best practices. Simple Syllabus supports consistent formatting and improved accessibility for students; however, faculty remain responsible for ensuring that linked materials, PDFs and other course documents meet accessibility standards.

Additional accessibility resources and guidance are available through the university’s digital accessibility support webpage. Staff are available to assist in accessibility remediation. If you need assistance, please email Dr. Kelley Schaffer at kshaffer2@tamu.edu.

Expedition Review Process

As noted on the Guidance on Syllabus Review webpage, the review process starts with a request from the dean of the college or school to the provost. This request includes the syllabus and an exception justification that is initially evaluated by administrators in the Office of the Provost. This review ensures the request is complete and necessary. As a reminder, core courses cannot teach material prohibited by System Policy 08.01 and are therefore not eligible for exceptions.

An ad hoc committee of faculty and faculty administrators reviews the requests and determines whether the justification establishes that the material aligns with the discipline’s expected body of knowledge and is necessary to the course. The ad hoc committee’s recommendations are then forwarded to the provost and subsequently to the president for final determination.

Throughout the process, exception requests are evaluated based on several factors, including alignment with the syllabus; the level of the course (e.g., lower-division, upper-division or graduate/professional); whether the course is required or elective; the educational purpose of the material; the extent to which it constitutes a substantial portion of the course content; and whether its inclusion is necessary to meet accreditation requirements.

The vast majority of courses reviewed in the spring required no exception. Our aim is to maintain that clarity and efficiency this cycle by prioritizing early review of courses that may require additional consideration.

We recognize that these timelines are compressed. They were developed to balance registration needs for students, catalog production deadlines and the time required for appropriate faculty review. Your early engagement is what makes this feasible.

Thank you for your attention to these deadlines and for the care you continue to bring to your teaching and to this process. We will send another update next week as additional milestones approach.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

As promised, we sent guidance to your deans regarding the summer and fall syllabi review process to certify compliance with System Policies 08.01 and 12.01. If you’ve not already heard from your deans on your specific college or school’s deadlines, you will soon. In the meantime, we’re sharing resources, including frequently asked questions, that aim to help you use your expertise as instructors to adhere to the requirements of the System policy.

This dedicated webpage will continue to be updated with additional questions and answers, as needed. As a reminder, all courses are subject to the compliance review; however, based on our spring 2026 review, very few courses in comparison to the thousands reviewed, needed to seek an exception. We are encouraging colleges and schools to prioritize those courses that might need an exception in the review process. This will ensure you have additional time to review fall 2027 courses into April. We know these deadlines are tight, but we worked diligently to balance student registration needs with the time you need to complete the review.

Also, as we transition to Simple Syllabus, which is required for the fall semester, we have updated the Simple Syllabus guidance page and added workshops to help you navigate Simple Syllabus. Simple Syllabus will be updated with approved course descriptions for fall courses on March 16 and will be available for you to begin uploading your syllabi. When you upload your syllabi for the fall, it will automatically notify your department head, which triggers the fall syllabi review process. Your department head will then be able to follow the process defined by your dean for reviewing your syllabus for compliance with System Policies 08.01 and 12.01.

In the long term, the shift to Simple Syllabus will make things more streamlined and ensure that our students have a consistent and accessible experience with syllabi. It will simplify semesterly tasks for you, reducing duplicative uploads. The hard work you are doing now is already reflecting long range benefits as we ensure compliance with System Policies and State Statutes.

The review process, coupled with practices in the classroom every day, are essential components to compliance with the policies. Together, these are our shared responsibilities. I thank you for your continued commitment to this effort.

Finally, we are committed to sharing these updates regularly, and I hope they help you stay on top of and understand these new processes and policies. Thank you for your commitment to your students and to this university.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

I’m pleased to share that we have seated a General Education Review Committee, co-chaired by Joseph P. Pettibon II, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Services, and Dr. Michael D. Johnson, Associate Provost for Academic Enhancement and Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, in accordance with Texas Education Code § 51.315 (as enacted by S.B. 37, § 1.01, effective Sept. 1, 2025) and Texas A&M System Policy 11.06, as directed by the Board of Regents in February.

• Michael Johnson (co-chair)
• Joe Pettibon (co-chair)
• Chris Cherry, Associate Dean, College of Education and Human Development
• Alicia Dorsey, Associate Vice President for Academic Effectiveness and Planning, Office of the Provost
• Marian Eide, Professor, English, College of Arts and Sciences
• Mike Havel ’76, External Member
• Jim Herman, Associate Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
• James Howell, Faculty Fellow for Assessment and Curriculum, Global Languages and Cultures, College of Arts and Sciences
• Andrew Klein, Professor, Geography, College of Arts and Sciences
• Trish Klein, Executive Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Matt McKinney, Instructional Associate Professor, English, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jennifer Mercieca, Professor, Communication and Journalism, College of Arts and Sciences
• Melanie Moser, Department Head, Marine and Costal Environmental Science, College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies, Galveston Campus
• Elizabeth Piwonka, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Office for Institutional Evaluation and Effectiveness
• Allison Rivera, Executive Director of Academic Advising and Student Success, College of Arts and Sciences
• Scott Schaefer, Department Head, Computer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering
• John Sherman, Dean, The Bush School of Government and Public Service
• Samantha Shields, Associate Director of Curriculum Development, Center for Teaching Excellence
• Andy Tag, Instructional Associate Professor, Biology, College of Arts and Sciences
• Bill Toler ’76, External Member
• Sandra Williams, Director, Office of the Registrar

• foundational and fundamental to a sound postsecondary education,
• necessary to prepare students for civic and professional life,
• equip students for participation in the workforce and in the betterment of society, and
• ensure breadth of knowledge in compliance with applicable accreditation standards.

The committee will consider structures and processes related to the review and approval of the general education requirements, as well as potential costs the curriculum may impose on students. The committee will be responsible for delivering a report to the Texas A&M University President by May 15, 2026, and due to the Board of Regents by June 1, 2026.

I want to thank these individuals for their willingness to serve. If you have any questions about the committee’s work, you may reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

As we look ahead to the summer and fall semesters, there are four major workstreams that will occur either alongside or may alter your regular summer and fall preparation. We want you to be aware of each, and I appreciate this is a lot to pack into one email but will be sharing more on each as we move forward.

Specifically, we are preparing for several compliance-related requirements, while fully transitioning to the Simple Syllabus system for all syllabi and Simple CVs (abbreviated versions of your comprehensive CVs). We met over the last few weeks with the deans to discuss these upcoming requirements and develop plans to ensure they can be implemented in the timelines we have identified. We recognize that preparation for the spring semester was extremely challenging, but we have learned from that process and are working to make the summer and fall preparation processes better.

1. General Education Review Committee

• foundational and fundamental to a sound postsecondary education,
• necessary to prepare students for civic and professional life,
• equip students for participation in the workforce and in the betterment of society, and
• ensure breadth of knowledge in compliance with applicable accreditation standards.

The committee, also, will consider structures and processes related to the review and approval of the general education requirements, as well as potential costs the curriculum may impose on students. This review must be completed and submitted to the Board by June 1, 2026. We will announce committee members once they are seated and keep you updated on the committee’s progress. There is no specific action at this time required by anyone outside of the committee.

2. Transition to Simple Syllabus: Required for Fall 2026 Semester

As you know, this spring, we piloted the use of Simple Syllabus for several departments. We are pleased to be rolling this out fully for the fall semester, which means instead of uploading your course syllabus and CV to Howdy, you will populate your syllabus to Simple Syllabus and review a simplified version of your CV that will be preloaded to Simple Syllabus for you. By March 16, we will have all fall course descriptions uploaded to Simple Syllabus, and the system will be available for your use. Course descriptions currently moving through the curricular review process (in CARS) that are approved will be automatically uploaded into Simple Syllabus. Summer syllabi can, but do not have to be, input into Simple Syllabus.

We are currently working to update webpages, FAQs, guidance and resources, and we will share these as they become available. We have not set a date yet for being able to have all Simple CVs uploaded, but we will be communicating that as soon as we do, aiming for as soon as possible after course descriptions are complete.

In the long term, Simple Syllabus will be more efficient by prepopulating some fields and helping you submit information in one place as compared to being responsible for ensuring information is current and compliant in various systems.

3. Course/Syllabi Reviews for Summer/Fall Semesters

To meet the requirements of System Policies 08.01 and 12.01, we will be following a very similar process to what we did in the spring for reviewing summer and fall semester syllabi for compliance. For summer, this will be conducted manually as it was in the spring. For fall compliance with both System policies, department heads will review and approve syllabi electronically using Simple Syllabus.

In compliance with System Policy 08.01 for summer and fall, deans will request exceptions for non-core curriculum or graduate courses that teach race ideology or gender ideology (as defined in System Policy 08.01), or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity for necessary educational purposes through the same process used for the spring semester. We have developed a timeline for identifying courses for which an exception must be secured for summer and fall that aims to: 1) reduce complexity, 2) prioritize courses that may be most affected and 3) ensure completion of required reviews and approvals as early as possible in the summer and fall registration timelines to reduce potential changes for students.

Milestones for Colleges/Schools

The major milestones set for colleges and schools are as follows:

• March 18: Deans submit summer course exception requests under System Policy 08.01
• March 26: Deans certify all summer syllabi comply with System Policy 08.01 and 12.01
• March 30: Deans submit fall course exception requests under System Policy 08.01
• April 20: Deans certify all fall syllabi comply with System Policy 08.01 and 12.01

Deans are using this timeline to develop more specific deadlines for their colleges and schools to support implementation. Once this process is complete, any changes to an approved course (or one granted an exception) will need to be reviewed again. Additionally, immediately prior to the beginning of the fall semester, we will have established with the deans a brief window in which the university will consider requests for exceptions in extenuating circumstances (e.g., a new course is added to the schedule or a new instructor hired).

We have worked to balance the needs of our students with your workload, along with the requirements of the System policies, to streamline this process. We have committed to the deans more detailed guidance, including frequently asked questions, on this review later this week and are working diligently to update guidance provided for the review of spring syllabi, addressing questions that arose during that review. Please follow your dean’s guidance on timelines because each college or school may have different needs to achieve the university-level deadlines.

4. Digital Accessibility: Title II Requirements

I know you have been working diligently through the painstaking process of bringing teaching materials into alignment with new digital accessibility requirements, which take effect April 24, 2026. I want to be clear that we understand this is a major shift and that it is extremely time-consuming to implement. At the end of the day, these efforts ensure that our students and anyone needing access to our information can do so. Our divisions and departments are doing similar work to bring all website content into compliance.

To support faculty and staff in meeting accessibility standards, Texas A&M’s Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), in coordination with our office and Technology Services, has curated resources on the Digital Accessibility webpage focused on accessible course design and content creation. CTE and the Office of Distance and Digital Education offer workshops and departmental training designed to help faculty and support staff understand best practices and integrate accessibility into teaching and engagement. Additional role-based training recommendations are available on the IT Accessibility website. Finally, if you need specific support with remediation of course materials, please reach out to Dr. Kelley Shaffer, Director of Distance and Digital Education, as we have people available to assist.

Our Commitment to You

I recognize this is a lot of information, but we want to ensure you have clarity about these processes. You can expect to hear more about each of these areas as we work to prepare for the summer and fall semesters. It is a lot to keep up with. What we can and will do is make sure we equip you with information and tools to help you navigate these changes. That is exactly what we’re focused on right now.

We are working closely with the deans to ensure they have what they need to support each faculty member and department, and we will be creating resources and workshops to help you get questions answered. Whether it is through the Provost Post, specific emails, or in-person or virtual meetings, we are committed to ensuring you have the information you need to comply with the mandatory requirements.

I sincerely appreciate all that you do.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to share an update on the completion of the university’s course review for the spring 2026 semester and outline related actions taken in accordance with Texas A&M University System Policies 08.01 and 12.01.

Over the past several weeks, faculty and administrators reviewed approximately 5,400 course syllabi to ensure compliance with System policy. In most cases, courses were confirmed or adjusted within departments without the need for further review. This reflects the vital role and collaborative work of faculty and departmental leadership. In some instances, however, courses required review by my office and by Interim President Tommy Williams.

At the conclusion of this process, a total of 6 courses were canceled because they did not comply with A&M System policy, which represents 0.11 percent of the total courses offered this semester. The Interim President also granted exceptions for 48 courses. Exceptions were granted primarily in graduate level clinical programs, such as Psychological and Brain Sciences, and courses in the Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine, where these topics are academically relevant and necessary to prepare clinical professionals.

Additionally, as part of the broader implementation of the recently updated System policy, we made the difficult decision to begin winding down the Women’s and Gender Studies (WGST) academic programs, including the BA, BS, Graduate Certificate and the Minor. This decision is based on the requirements of System policy and limited student interest in the program based on enrollment over the past several years. A teach-out plan will ensure all current students can complete the program as planned, and college leaders have been in contact with those students.

As we move forward, our focus remains on supporting our students, sustaining academic excellence and ensuring that Texas A&M continues to fulfill its mission as a land-grant university committed to teaching, discovery and service. Periods of transformational change require clarity, care and collaboration. You all continue to demonstrate your commitment to our students and mission, and I am confident we will continue to navigate this transition thoughtfully and responsibly. Together, we are providing a rigorous, relevant and future-focused educational experience that prepares our students to lead with knowledge, integrity and purpose.

Thank you sincerely for your patience, professionalism and hard work over the past few weeks. I look forward to a successful semester ahead.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

I recently received bittersweet news from Dr. Michael A. de Miranda, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, that after 45 years as a professional educator, he has decided to retire on July 1, 2026. Dr. de Miranda joined Texas A&M University in 2016 as professor and head of the Department of Teaching, Learning & Culture, and went on to serve as acting dean, interim dean and ultimately dean of the College of Education and Human Development. Throughout his tenure, he has led with deep respect for faculty, staff and students, and with a steadfast belief that the students and families served by the college are its most important responsibility.

An internationally respected scholar, Dr. de Miranda holds the Reta Haynes Endowed Dean’s Chair for Scholarship Enrichment and is recognized for his research on learning, cognition and instruction in engineering and technology education. His work has focused on how learners “connect the STEM dots,” and his scholarship has been supported by more than $10 million in competitive funding from organizations including the National Science Foundation, the National Academy of Engineering and the National Institutes of Health.

As dean, Dr. de Miranda has always focused on improving both the number and quality of teachers graduating from the college. He has guided the college through a period of significant change, including the implementation of key recommendations from the university’s Path Forward initiative. These efforts strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration, advanced academic program alignment and positioned the college to expand its impact in educator preparation, health education and early childhood development. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was marked by steadiness, empathy and a clear commitment to community. He fostered significant growth in both the college’s research enterprise and its philanthropy. He has also overseen the college’s acquisition of both the Becky Gates and Charlotte Sharp Childcare Centers, setting them on a path to fully integrate as true laboratory schools.

Dr. de Miranda’s career in education includes service as a secondary education teacher and as a faculty member at Compton Community College, California State University, Los Angeles and Colorado State University. Across each role, he has remained deeply committed to mentoring students and faculty and to advancing the profession of education.

On behalf of the university, I extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. de Miranda for his exceptional leadership, scholarship and service to Texas A&M. We will have additional opportunities in the coming months to recognize his contributions and celebrate his legacy. Information regarding leadership transition planning for the College of Education and Human Development will be forthcoming.

Please join me in thanking Dr. de Miranda for his many contributions and in wishing him the best in his well-earned retirement.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

I am pleased to announce two leadership appointments that underscore the strength, alignment and momentum of Texas A&M University’s medical education enterprise and reflect our shared commitment to innovation, excellence and impact in health education and care.

First, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Timothy B. Boone, M.D., Ph.D., FACS, as Dean of the School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed), effective Jan. 1, 2026. Dr. Boone has served as Interim Dean since September 2024 and has provided steady, visionary leadership during a pivotal period in the school’s evolution.

With nearly four decades of clinical experience, Dr. Boone is a globally recognized leader in neuro-urology and a respected authority in medical education and accreditation. His career reflects an integration of patient care, research and physician training and his leadership has been instrumental in advancing EnMed’s strategic direction toward becoming Texas A&M’s second accredited medical school.

Dr. Boone previously served as Chief Education Officer for the Houston Methodist Academic Institute, where he launched new graduate medical education programs and helped establish Houston Methodist Hospital as a clinical campus for the Texas A&M Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine in 2014. He was also a founding leader in the partnership that created EnMed and has continued to guide the school’s accreditation and academic development. His appointment affirms the deep and enduring partnership between Texas A&M and Houston Methodist and the shared vision that has defined EnMed from its inception.

Established in 2016, EnMed is a groundbreaking collaboration among Texas A&M’s Colleges of Engineering and Medicine, and Houston Methodist Hospital, focused on translational interdisciplinary research, medical technology development and the training of “physicianeers.” With Texas A&M’s broad health science enterprise — including the Colleges of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and the School of Public Health — EnMed is uniquely positioned to advance innovative education, accelerate translational research and further integrate engineering and medicine to reimagine solutions for health care.

n addition, I am pleased to announce the reappointment of Amy L. Waer, M.D., FACS, MPSA ’23, as Dean of the Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine for a second term. Dr. Waer has served as Dean since January 2021 following her appointment as Interim Dean in 2019, and has provided exceptional leadership during a period of significant growth and change.

Under Dr. Waer’s leadership, the College of Medicine has advanced its academic mission, strengthened clinical and community partnerships and positioned itself for long-term success across education, research and patient care. Her tenure has been marked by strategic progress, including the successful naming of the college, major philanthropic investment, growth in rural and aerospace medicine initiatives and sustained progress in research, accreditation and fiscal stewardship.

Dr. Waer is widely respected for her integrity, decisiveness and commitment to shared governance. Her inclusive leadership style, consistent campus engagement and emphasis on transparency and accountability have strengthened trust, improved morale and reinforced a culture of collaboration across the college.

Taken together, these leadership actions reflect a powerful alignment across Texas A&M’s medical education and health science enterprise. I am inspired by the shared vision, mutual respect and collaborative strength that unite the College of Medicine, EnMed, our medical partners across the state and our broader health disciplines. This alignment positions Texas A&M to lead nationally in the integration of medicine, engineering and clinical practice, while educating physicians and physicianeers to address the most complex health challenges facing Texas and the world.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Boone on his appointment and in thanking Dr. Waer for her continued service and leadership. I also extend my sincere appreciation to the faculty, staff and clinical partners across both organizations for your engagement, dedication and commitment to our shared mission.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Timothy B. Boone, MD, PhD, FACS, as Dean of the School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed) at Texas A&M University, effective Jan. 1, 2026.  Dr. Boone has been serving as Interim Dean since September 2024.

With nearly four decades of clinical experience, Dr. Boone’s leadership is rooted in a deep understanding of the day-to-day challenges and opportunities in medicine. A globally recognized leader in neuro-urology, he has not only advanced the field but also shaped the future of physician training by guiding major certification bodies. His career embodies a dedication to integrating patient care, research, and education at the highest levels of academic medicine.

Dr. Boone was formerly Chief Education Officer for the Houston Methodist Academic Institute, where he was instrumental in launching three new graduate medical education programs at regional hospitals. He also played a pivotal role in establishing Houston Methodist Hospital as a clinical campus for the Texas A&M Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine in 2014 and was a founding force in partnering to develop and launch EnMed. His continued leadership of EnMed’s accreditation process has been instrumental in advancing the next phase of the school’s strategic direction toward becoming Texas A&M’s second accredited medical school.

He earned a Master of Science in physiology and Ph.D. in neuroscience from The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and a Doctor of Medicine from The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, followed by a surgery and urology residency at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He holds the Craig C. Brown and Susan H. Smith Centennial Chair in Medical Education and is a member of the Neurological Institute at Houston Methodist Hospital.

Established in 2016, EnMed is a groundbreaking collaboration among Texas A&M’s College of Engineering, Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine and Houston Methodist Hospital, focused on translational interdisciplinary research, medical technology development and the training of “physicianeers” — an emerging physician field where doctors are uniquely equipped to innovate in both medicine and engineering. With Texas A&M’s broad health science enterprise — including the Colleges of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and the School of Public Health, EnMed is positioned to advance innovative education, accelerate translational research, and further integrate engineering and medicine to reimagine solutions for healthcare. 

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Boone on his appointment as Dean of the School of Engineering Medicine.  I also extend my appreciation to the faculty and staff of the School of Engineering Medicine for your engagement and support throughout the selection process.  I look forward to his continued success in leading EnMed's vision to engineer a new era of healthcare.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

As we begin the new semester, I want to thank each of you for your continued dedication to our students and to the mission of Texas A&M University. The start of a semester always brings renewed energy to our classrooms, laboratories and offices, and it is a privilege to work alongside faculty and staff whose commitment to teaching, discovery and service shapes the next generation of leaders.

For those joining Texas A&M this semester, welcome to Aggieland! You are arriving at a time when the work of higher education — and the role of faculty and staff within it — has never been more consequential. Your expertise, mentorship and care for our students are central to who we are and to the values that define this institution.

Supporting You Through the Syllabus and Course Review

I want to acknowledge directly that this is a challenging period for many in our academic community. Ongoing changes in the higher education landscape, including new system-level policy requirements, are changing the way we operate — raising questions, new processes and in some cases, concern. I want you to know that we recognize these challenges and take seriously our responsibility to provide clear guidance, practical resources and institutional support so that you can continue to carry out your teaching and scholarly work with confidence and integrity.

Academic leadership at all levels of the university must make difficult strategic decisions to align with requirements and support the success of our academic mission. Your continued support of your department heads, deans and other leaders is appreciated as we work together.

System Policies 08.01 and 12.01: Guidance and Resources

The implementation of Texas A&M System Policies 08.01 and 12.01 is currently underway with deans, department heads and their leadership teams facilitating the implementation based on guidance provided prior to the holidays. Our focus remains on course and syllabus alignment, policy compliance, consistent application and clear communication — grounded in our shared commitment to academic rigor, responsibility and student success. I want to thank you for your hard work over the past several weeks on this front. Department heads, deans and individual faculty members have been working diligently to review, identify and mitigate issues with courses that would violate the recent system policy changes, and it is no small task.

In addition to the guidance from your deans, we have updated a dedicated webpage that includes:

• University guidance on compliance with Policies 08.01 and 12.01
• Updates as additional clarification becomes available
• Exception process

We will continue to refine and update this guidance as appropriate and will communicate directly with you when material changes occur.

Preparing for the Semester: Teaching and Student Support Resources

On top of these changes, we know there are many important elements to the start of the semester. We have consolidated a range of faculty-focused resources to assist you as you prepare your syllabus and welcome students to class. This resources webpage brings together:

• Syllabus preparation guidance
• Student conduct and classroom management resources
• Academic support and referral information

These materials are intended to be practical, accessible and responsive to the realities of today’s classroom environment.

You can find these resources here: Faculty Teaching, Syllabus and Student Resources

What to Expect Next

As this work continues, we are committed to keeping you informed as clearly, accurately and responsibly as possible. When updates or additional clarification is needed, we will communicate directly and update the guidance webpages accordingly so that you have a reliable, consistent source of information throughout the semester.

Our Commitment to You

At Texas A&M, we strongly believe that teaching is a noble mission. Our role as a university — and my role as provost — is to ensure that you have the clarity, tools and institutional resources needed to fulfill that mission effectively and responsibly. We will continue working closely with college leadership, faculty and advisors to support you and to navigate this evolving process together.

If you have questions or need additional support, please work through your department head and dean, or contact the Office of the Provost at provost@tamu.edu. We remain committed to listening, engaging and supporting.

Thank you for the care you show our students, for the standards you uphold in your disciplines, and for the many ways you contribute to Texas A&M University. I wish you a productive and successful semester.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

After a national search that drew top-tier candidates, Dr. Angela Wilson will join Texas A&M University as Vice President for Research, effective April 1, 2026. An accomplished scholar and nationally recognized research leader, she brings a distinguished record of strategic vision, collaborative leadership and sustained commitment to advancing high-impact research across disciplines, sectors and national boundaries.

Dr. Wilson currently serves as a John A. Hannah Distinguished University Professor and University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University — honors bestowed on only a select group of faculty for exceptional scholarly achievement. She previously served as Director of the Division of Chemistry at the National Science Foundation (NSF), where she oversaw approximately $1 billion in national research investments across her years of service, more than 5,000 funding decisions and stewardship of major national scientific user facilities. During her leadership at the NSF, she helped shape the agency’s strategic direction, including the development of “Data-Driven Discovery,” which ultimately became one of NSF’s 10 Big Ideas.
 
Across her career, Dr. Wilson has demonstrated a unique ability to bring together faculty, government partners, industry leaders and philanthropic organizations to advance large-scale, multidisciplinary research initiatives. She has founded and led major university research centers, including centers in quantum computing, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research and advanced scientific computing, as well as a regional collaboration to accelerate cross-university innovation. Her efforts have supported the creation of new technologies, expanded research capacity and stimulated workforce development in emerging fields. Texas A&M will now be home to her successful quantum computing lab, which directly aligns with the ongoing, cross-disciplinary research already underway at our university to help accelerate the state’s leadership in quantum research and development.
 
Dr. Wilson has also held significant national leadership roles, including President of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society with more than 200,000 members, and Treasurer and Board Member of the American Physical Society. In these capacities, she has worked with world leaders, Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies and international partners to strengthen the research enterprise and advocate for science at the highest levels.
 
Equally important, Dr. Wilson brings a deep commitment to faculty success. In previous roles as Associate Vice Provost for Faculty at the University of North Texas and Chair of the Faculty Senate at MSU, she championed programs that support faculty development at all career stages; strengthened proposal development, compliance and research administration practices; and advanced institutional strategies that promote excellence, transparency and integrity.
 
Her breadth of experience across public and private universities, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and industry, combined with her understanding of land-, sea- and space-grant missions, position her uniquely well to lead Texas A&M’s research enterprise at this pivotal time. She is deeply committed to ensuring that research remains a core component of our academic mission and to elevating the visibility, impact and public value of Texas A&M’s scholarly and creative achievements.
 
I am confident that Dr. Wilson will be an exceptional partner to our faculty, students, researchers, administrators and Texas A&M University System agencies as we expand our national leadership, strengthen our research infrastructure, deepen collaborations and advance discoveries that serve the state, nation and world.
 
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. Costas Georghiades for serving as the Interim Vice President for Research since March. He successfully led our research enterprise during unprecedented times and has positioned the division for future growth, continued momentum and lasting success. His steady leadership and commitment to our mission have been invaluable.
 
I also wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the members of the search advisory committee, chaired by Dr. Robert Bishop, Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering. I am grateful for his thoughtful leadership and dedication, and the entire committee’s engagement throughout this successful search.
 
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Wilson to Texas A&M. We look forward to the vision, energy and expertise she will bring to our very bright future.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

This week, several changes have been introduced that affect our institution and each of you. We remain committed to keeping you updated on important information, and the following are the most recent relevant updates.

Federal Government Reopening

On Wednesday, President Trump signed H.R. 5371, which allowed for the federal government to reopen after the House and Senate passed a funding bill this week, bringing an end to the government shutdown. Nine of the 12 appropriations bills comprising the funding bill were part of a continuing resolution funded through Jan. 30, 2026, while another three of the 12, specifically Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, the Legislative Branch and the Department of Agriculture, were funded through the end of the fiscal year (Sept. 30, 2026). We understand the uncertainty a government shutdown can bring, and we appreciate your patience and assistance in sharing information about impacts throughout this situation.

Faculty Advisory Council University Rule Approved

Also, this week, University Rule 12.04.99.M1 was finalized. This action codifies the importance of faculty engagement and affirms the essential role that a faculty-only representative body plays in the fulfillment of the institutional mission. Consistent with state law and System Policy 12.04, the Faculty Advisory Council (FAC) is intended to provide direct input to leadership in a manner that is transparent, forward-looking, and aligned with the priorities and mission of Texas A&M University. Over the next several months, the university will follow this rule to seat the FAC with a goal of having the committee seated and active by February 2026. In the meantime, we have three committees that continue to support the necessary academic reviews and processes that require faculty input. We will continue to share information about the election and appointment process through the FAC website and via email directly to faculty.

The Texas A&M University System Curricular Review

During the Board of Regents meeting yesterday, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. James Hallmark presented the Texas A&M System’s plans for a systematic review of courses across the System in order to provide full information and transparency about available courses for further review and consideration. The System will utilize an AI-based tool to conduct complex analyses across data fields containing course information provided by each institution. The results of this evaluation will come back to the member institutions for review. We expect this to be done each semester to help ensure the rigor of our curriculum.

Additionally, the System has made enhancements to EthicsPoint for students to be able to report concerns about course content. We will share this resource with students, and we remind all faculty about the various resources available for supporting productive classroom discussion when difficult situations arise. We appreciate all you are doing to ensure our students have the highest quality educational experience.

Updates to System Policies 08.01 and 12.01

Yesterday, the Board of Regents passed updates to System Policies 08.01 and 12.01. The revision to System Policy 08.01 prohibits academic courses from advocating “race or gender ideology, or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity, unless the course and the relevant course materials are approved in advance by the member CEO.” Further, System Policy 12.01 clarifies that while maintaining academic freedom in the classroom, in addition to not introducing unrelated controversial matters, faculty will not “teach material that is inconsistent with the approved syllabus for the course.” These changes seek to ensure that our academic instruction remains squarely focused on education, not advocacy. We are reviewing the revised policies and creating processes to ensure our compliance. We will be following up soon with additional guidance on next steps.

Finally, I know we have experienced a significant amount of change and you want and deserve clarity as these changes take effect. The university is committed to that. We will also remain committed to living our Aggie Core Values in how we deliver on our three-part mission of teaching, research and service. That requires our commitment to that mission and our values every day, with every decision. Thank you for all you do.

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

As you may be aware, the possibility of a federal government shutdown is becoming increasingly likely as the current continuing resolution expires at midnight tonight, Oct. 1. Our Government Relations (GR) team has been monitoring legislative conditions closely and continues to work with members of Congress and their staff, informing them of the negative impacts that a government shutdown would have on university operations, research, students and campus life. Additionally, GR and other frontline units continue to coordinate closely to determine the possible impacts a shutdown may have on the university.

Currently, the university is operating on a normal basis. We will continue using available funds in support of work related to federally funded research contracts and grants. If there is a government shutdown, the initial short-term impacts are anticipated to be minimal, and we will monitor them closely. Students receiving federal financial aid should not be affected in the short term, as aid has already been disbursed for the semester.

We have created a webpage for updated information on the possible shutdown as it approaches, impacts of the shutdown on Texas A&M University if it occurs and updates on ongoing efforts.

• For all university faculty and staff, please report any potential impacts to you or your work through your supervisor and through our feedback mechanism.
• For research-related questions, please reach out to your contact with Sponsored Research Services.
• For all Texas A&M System agencies paired with an academic program, please report any potential impacts through your agency leadership team.
• For students with questions or concerns about a specific situation, please reach out to your academic advisor, Aggie One Stop or any of our other student services support offered through the Division of Student Affairs.

Please visit the Government Relations website for the most current information on the possible federal government shutdown. I understand how this can feel destabilizing, but rest assured that if a shutdown is not averted, we are ready to quickly mobilize appropriate leadership across the university to address any issues that may arise.

Thank you for all you do every day for our university, our state, nation and world.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear faculty and staff,

I know the past few weeks have been challenging. I want to thank you all for remaining committed to excellence for our students and the people of Texas. They are counting on us not just for the valuable courses we teach, but for the incredible experiences we provide outside the classroom that shape our students to lead in the future, and for the life-changing research that expands knowledge and delivers solutions for people everywhere.

Earlier this week, I shared a message with faculty highlighting the need to keep our focus as we work through this leadership transition that I want to be sure all of you see. In a message to the President’s Cabinet and Deans this week, Acting President Dr. James Hallmark also noted the need for continuity, stating, “Our mission remains unchanged: to educate and support our students, to advance knowledge through research and discovery, and to serve the state of Texas. That mission is lived out both in our large, forward-looking efforts like Texas A&M 2040 and in the day-to-day work that keeps this university running — from the services that support our students and faculty, to the operations that sustain our classrooms, labs, technology and campus life. These commitments must continue.” You have support from every level of the university to keep delivering on these commitments.

We also have heard your concerns and feelings of uncertainty. Let me be clear that Texas A&M University is not and has never been defined by outside points of view. We are defined by how we act, which makes our next steps so important. How each of us moves through this transition, upholding our Core Values, is essential. Also, I want to reaffirm that academic freedom, intellectual inquiry and freedom of speech are essential to our institution and will remain such. Alongside that commitment, we will work to bring clarity to and uphold academic responsibility as equally important to academic freedom.

As we continue our work together this semester, I want to provide several important updates.

Course Syllabus/Assessment Update

We have begun the planning process to advance the course syllabus assessment initiative announced last week. The Texas A&M University System will be providing all System schools with guidance on how these should be conducted so that we implement these consistently. As we obtain this guidance, we will keep you updated, and we will ensure implementation is done in a way that does not impede your primary work of serving students and conducting research. In the meantime, if you have questions about a course syllabus, please reach out to your department head, dean or contact Faculty Affairs directly.

Faculty Advisory Council

At its meeting on Aug. 29, 2025, The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents authorized the creation of a new Faculty Advisory Council under System Policy 12.04, which cannot begin meeting until after Nov. 1, 2025. However, the policy also requires the adoption of a University Rule outlining the new Faculty Advisory Council in compliance with Senate Bill 37 (SB 37). As you know, the university follows a formal process for the establishment of university rules to allow for appropriate feedback from the university community. Once the rule is formally approved, the new process to seat the Faculty Advisory Council will then be implemented. There is no delay in establishing the council, but rather we are following existing processes to do so.

A draft rule outlining the structure and function of the new Faculty Advisory Council was prepared and shared with the previous Faculty Senate, which was formally dissolved as of Aug. 31. This draft will enter the official review process next week. Faculty members will have opportunities to provide feedback through open forums organized by the Office of the Provost and Faculty Affairs or by emailing facultyaffairs@tamu.edu. These open forums will be held in mid-October and announced shortly.

As we move through the rule process, three committees were authorized by presidential authority — an Executive Committee Transition Team, the Core Curriculum Council and the University Curriculum Committee — to ensure the continuance of essential university curricular functions. All three committees will end their work when the new Faculty Advisory Council is seated.

• The Executive Committee Transition Team has been formed, consisting of members of the former Faculty Senate Executive Committee and university administrators. They are tasked with overseeing the process of creating and seating the new Faculty Advisory Council. Additionally, this transition team also may advise the Provost and President as needed while there is no universitywide faculty advisory group.
• The Core Curriculum Council will continue its work with current membership to advance important curricular initiatives and oversee the upcoming review of general education requirements and the core curriculum, as required by SB 37 and Texas A&M System Policy.
• Finally, a University Curriculum Committee has been established with representatives from every college and school. This committee is charged with reviewing and advising on all curricular matters previously managed by the Faculty Senate. This ensures that new and revised degree programs, credentials and courses will continue to be evaluated by a representative group of faculty with recommendations to the President in the short term, in accordance with accreditation expectations.

Classroom Expectations and Core Values

For additional resources, recommendations and strategies on how to manage classroom disruptions, visit the Center for Teaching Excellence Managing Disruptions section of their website. These resources include strategies for effective pedagogy, engaging discussions and addressing difficult discourse in the classroom. Links to updated materials will be provided on our Faculty Affairs website. Additionally, join us for “Addressing Disruptions to Teaching: A Review of Proactive and Real-time Strategies,” on Monday, Sept. 29. This workshop will explore both evidence-based tools for course and classroom management, as well as preparation you might consider for potential teaching disruptions.

Additional Resources

Finally, and most importantly, change affects people in different ways, and your physical and mental health are important to us. Please take advantage of available wellness resources, including counseling, employee assistance programs and well-being workshops. Prioritizing balance and care is not only encouraged — it is vital, and we have wonderful resources to support you.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our students and to one another. Our people are the foundation of this university. The insight you bring to your classrooms, the guidance you provide to students, the discoveries you make in your research, and the possibilities you power shape the next generation of thought leaders. By supporting one another and grounding our work in the Aggie Core Values, we can continue to advance our mission with integrity and impact.

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

As we move forward together, I want to acknowledge the challenges surrounding recent events. While you may feel a sense of uncertainty, remember that our mission is unchanged. Your work matters certainly to the more than 80,000 students we serve but also to the state, nation and beyond. Your dedication to our students and to one another is what grounds us during times of transition. I am deeply appreciative to each of you for the grace, professionalism and commitment you bring to your work every day. 

As you know, at the heart of our mission is the Aggie Core Value of Respect, which has long defined how we teach, learn and work together. For many years, our classrooms have embodied and been defined by this value. It is important that we continue to remember this is who we are as Aggies. We believe that open communication is essential to sustaining a culture of mutual respect, academic integrity and continuous improvement. We value the voices of our students while recognizing and affirming our responsibility to create and preserve a learning environment where all students can engage productively with their peers and instructors.

Professionalism and respect are shared responsibilities of all instructors, teaching assistants and students and concerns about a class are best addressed when communicated through your appropriate department or college/ school channels. Addressing any issue promptly and respectfully builds trust and prevents unnecessary escalation. By embracing these commitments, we strengthen the learning community that makes Texas A&M truly distinctive. Faculty Affairs is preparing resources and suggested guidance to help create and promote a respectful learning environment.

Leadership Update

Earlier this week, the President’s Cabinet had a chance to hear from Acting President James Hallmark, who will serve for a short time until an interim president can be approved by the Board of Regents. We anticipate that to happen within the next week or two, and we appreciate Dr. Hallmark’s steady hand in the meantime. He again echoed the need to focus on our mission and the many important activities we already have underway. I know many of you have questions about whether initiatives are continuing, so I want to address several important upcoming efforts.  

Convocation and State of the University

Due to the transition in leadership, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the Academic Convocation and State of the University event that was scheduled for next week. We want to be sure the timing is right to ensure the celebration is everything it should be for our university community and will keep you all informed as new plans are outlined. 

Citizenship and Service Initiative

We are moving full steam ahead with the university’s Citizenship and Service Initiative. Just last week, we held a constitutional convention that allowed students to engage in important civil dialogues. We will continue to host those kinds of events, thanks to the leadership of faculty in both the College of Arts and Sciences and the Bush School of Government and Public Service with support from across the university. 

Artificial Intelligence Strategy

We are advancing an ambitious universitywide AI strategy that will define how Texas A&M leads in discovery and innovation. 

Aplin Center Groundbreaking

In October, we will break ground on the Aplin Center at Texas A&M, which will house the university’s new visitor’s center and provide students with an incredibly comprehensive and multidisciplinary learning space. 

McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship

In November, we will celebrate the expansion of the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship at an Entrepreneurship Summit. More information about this campuswide event will be delivered in early October. 

As we look ahead, we remain committed to transparent communication with all of you on where we are and where we are going. Our students are counting on us to provide not only enduring excellence, but also the courage, creativity and compassion that will shape the next generation of leaders. As we navigate this leadership transition, we will maintain our commitment to our Core Values and stay focused on our mission. 

Thank you for all you do. Together, we will continue to honor the trust placed in us and to write the next chapter in Texas A&M’s story.

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

Dr. Simon North has been appointed as Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M University, effective immediately.

Dr. North is the John W. Bevan Professor of Chemistry and has served as Executive Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences since June 2024. Prior to that, he was head of the Department of Chemistry since August 2016 after serving as interim head of the department for the previous seven months and as associate head from September 2013 to February 2016.
 
He earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1995, then spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at Brookhaven National Laboratory before joining the Texas A&M faculty in 1997 as a member of the Department of Chemistry. In addition, he is Co-Director of the National Aerothermochemistry Laboratory and a former Associate Director of the Center for Atmospheric Chemistry and the Environment. 
 
Dr. North also served for nearly a decade as one of the primary advising and recruiting contacts for the Texas A&M Chemistry graduate program and played a lead role in the planning, programming and championing of Texas A&M’s Instructional Laboratory & Innovative Learning Building, described as the premier laboratory building in the country and a showcase for undergraduate chemistry teaching laboratories spanning general chemistry to organic chemistry. 
 
In addition to being recognized with the inaugural Administration Award in the College of Arts and Sciences last May, Dr. North is a past recipient of The Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Awards in Teaching, at both the university (2009) and college levels (2004 and 2010).
 
We will launch a search for the permanent Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences this fall. 

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

Faculty Advising Bodies and Curriculum

Research Security

Foreign Land Ownership

Free College Application Week

Student Expression on Campus

Governmental Vital Statistics Data

Remote Work and Telework

Artificial Intelligence Training Program for Employees

As a result of House Bill 3512, requiring state employees to undergo AI training, the A&M System has identified a third party training program that satisfies legal requirements. Once the contract has been executed and signed, the System will begin incorporating the training course across all System agencies.

We appreciate your interest and collaboration as we navigate all of these changes and remain committed to ensuring a transparent and efficient implementation process. We are available to share information and answer your questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you for all you do for Texas A&M today and every day.

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

• Library Support: The OpenEd Office at Texas A&M champions student success through the development, promotion, and use of OERs. They help faculty discover and implement OERs alongside other free and low-cost instructional materials including library-licensed content and course reserves. The Libraries also maintain an OER guide and repository, making it easier for instructors to locate and use open resources.
• Partnerships and Collaboration: Texas A&M collaborates with other universities, consortia and organizations that promote OER. These partnerships expand the availability of quality open resources and support the development of new OER materials.
• Course Redesign: Faculty at Texas A&M are encouraged to redesign their courses to incorporate OER, which can involve replacing traditional textbooks with free or low-cost alternatives. This not only reduces costs but also allows for more customized and up-to-date course content.
• Student Awareness and Advocacy: The university supports student-led initiatives that advocate for the use of OER. By raising awareness among students about the availability and benefits of OER, Texas A&M fosters a campus culture that values and prioritizes affordable education.
• Educational Resources, Materials and Merchandising Committee: We have reconvened our efforts to partner with the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in the Memorial Student Center to identify new and alternative products, programming and initiatives to advance cost savings in resources for teaching, learning and research.

GA48/ Huron and International Travel

Artificial Intelligence and Academic Integrity

Texas A&M University is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into higher education teaching, learning and the work we do.

The university's AI website provides comprehensive resources and support for learning about and using generative AI through workshops, tutorials and dedicated help centers. AI literacy training is actively available for faculty, staff and students. There are multiple resources provided by Texas A&M that offer guidance on course policies, syllabus considerations, and the ethical implementation of AI tools in academic settings. Resources can be accessed through CTE (Center for Teaching Excellence), TAMIDS (Texas A&M Institute of Data Science), Division of Research, Technology Services and the Aggie Honor System Office.

Generative AI use at Texas A&M University should adhere to the same ethical principles used in other aspects of education, research, and operations, including privacy, fairness, transparency, bias and accountability.

Government Relations

• Student Course Evaluations
• University Libraries Course Support
• Religious Holidays

• Mental Health Resources
• Export Controls/ Distance Education

Finally, I hope you had a great summer and are looking forward to the excitement that comes with the start of a fall semester in Aggieland. Best wishes for a successful semester!

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

As promised, I will continue to share relevant updates about changing policies as necessary and wanted to share a few updates.

Our Government Relations team has been keeping the leadership team updated on the FY26 appropriations process and where things stand. While there is still a long way to go in that process and the likelihood of a continuing resolution to maintain current funding levels through the fall is a near certainty, we are seeing both House and Senate funding levels fairly close, if not identical, to current funding levels in many of our key federal agency partners. Congress is currently in August recess and will return to Washington, D.C., the first week of September to continue working on FY26 appropriations, including discussions on Facilities and Administrative costs, among many other items. Again, the appropriations process has a long road ahead as we await numbers for the National Institutes of Health and Department of Education from the House and many other steps in the process, but below is a quick snapshot of what we have seen to date.

• National Science Foundation (current funding: $9.06B):
  • House: $7B
  • Senate: $9B
• NOAA (current funding: $6.18B):
  • House: $5.8B
  • Senate: $6.1B
• NASA (current funding: $24.8B):
  • House: $24.8B
  • Senate: $24.8B
• U.S. Department of Education (Institute of Education Sciences – current funding: $793.1B):
  • House: TBD
  • Senate: $793.1B
• National Institutes of Health (current funding: $47.7B):
  • House: TBD
  • Senate: $47B

Additionally, we are aware of the executive order, “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking,” that states moving forward, senior agency appointees will be responsible for reviewing funding opportunity announcements and discretionary grants to ensure that they are consistent with agency priorities and the national interest. This applies to federal grants broadly — not just research-related grants. We have not received any additional or agency-specific guidance related to this order but are reviewing it closely to understand any impacts to our proposal submission process, if any. If you have questions about a current or future research proposal, please reach out to Sponsored Research Services (SRS).

I also want to take this opportunity to share that as it relates to research awards, SRS is processing new and continuing awards with regular consistency as we head into the fall semester. Please continue identifying and proposing new research that will help us build a brighter, safer world for the people of Texas, the nation and beyond. The university continues to tell your stories of impact to the world through the Texas A&M Stories site, AP Campus Insights program and many other channels.

As always, I encourage you to check the federal policy updates webpage for the latest updates between email communications, and researchers may continue to access guidance for Principal Investigators through the Division of Research. We remain available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you for all you do for Texas A&M today and every day.

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

As the impacts of flooding continue to be felt across parts of our state this week, we are keeping our fellow Texans and Aggies in our hearts, including both those who have been impacted and those who are serving on the frontlines. We hope that you all remain safe and encourage everyone to utilize the university’s support resources as necessary.

Since the U.S. Congress will be in recess throughout August and the state legislature is not set to discuss any legislation related to higher education at this time, these updates will be transitioning to an “as-needed” basis. I hope that these emails have been helpful throughout the past six months, and we appreciate your dedication to remaining informed about ongoing changes in our federal and state governments. I only have a few updates for you this week.

As the special session kicks off on July 21 for 30 days, the state legislature will discuss 18 specific topics, including several surrounding disaster preparedness and response. Texas A&M University System agencies and our faculty have tremendous expertise, and our Government Relations team is ensuring that legislators and their staff know they can count on Texas A&M University subject matter experts to inform these important policy discussions. These deliberations are happening at the federal level as well. Just this week, Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas State Climatologist, Director of the Southern Regional Climate Center and Regents Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, offered his expertise to the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Subcommittee on Environment, regarding the harnessing of innovative technologies to enhance weather forecasting for the protection of lives and property.

The Joint Association Group (JAG) on Indirect Costs held a town hall on July 15 about the new Financial Accountability in Research model proposed to Congress last week. University leadership participated in the town hall to gather information. The Association of American Universities has created a Frequently Asked Questions page on behalf of the JAG that addresses many of the concerns shared by universities and members of Congress. As this proposal is discussed, we will continue to engage with legislators in support of appropriate facilities and administrative funding for our research endeavors.

Both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate continue to work on FY26 appropriations and will continue that work throughout the summer and fall. Our Government Relations team is closely monitoring and actively engaged in the appropriations process while remaining connected with legislators and their staff. Together, we are working to ensure legislators recognize the deep impact of your research on our nation and world.

As we move these emails to as needed, I encourage you to check the federal policy updates webpage for the latest, and researchers may continue to access guidance for Principal Investigators through the Division of Research. We remain available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you for all you do for Texas A&M today and every day.

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

I am reaching out today to address concerns related to immigration enforcement and the university that are circulating among faculty, staff and our graduate student community. As stewards of our employee and student data, the university cannot share personal information about individual students or employees, except as permitted by law (such as directory information).

Your safety, well-being and privacy are of the utmost importance. We take great care with personal issues or concerns raised by our faculty, staff and students, and we investigate situations fully and confidentially. Please keep in mind that sharing partial or inaccurate information about individual situations can inhibit investigations and can be damaging to the individual involved. While we may not be able to comment on specific situations due to student or employee confidentiality, we will always take care to try to stem the spread of incomplete or inaccurate information, and we hope you will too. 

Given the questions we are receiving, there are several important points I want to share:

1. We are not aware of any verified immigration enforcement action against any of our students or scholars.
2. The university does not proactively share information with immigration authorities, except when required to do so by law or court order.
3. If you are ever concerned about your safety, see something suspicious or encounter a federal law enforcement officer on campus, we ask that you immediately contact the University Police Department at ​979-845-2345.
4. We have a wide variety of ways individuals can report concerns of various types, and we encourage individuals to do so. You can report student concerns at Tell Somebody, compliance-related violations with our Division of Risk, Ethics and Compliance, or contact the University Police Department regarding a safety concern or suspicious activity.
5. Specifically for our international faculty, staff and students, we have two channels for support and resources: International Student and Scholar Services, which provides resources for our international students and scholars, and Immigration Affairs within the Office of Faculty Affairs, which provides resources for our faculty, researchers and staff.

We will be distributing guidance universitywide again soon, as we did earlier this year, on how to handle interactions with federal law enforcement, including immigration enforcement, if they come on university property.

In the meantime, thank you for using the resources available to you to report concerns so we can address them. As always, you may reach out to me at provost@tamu.edu with any questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

This has been a difficult week for Texans everywhere. For some of us, the impacts of the flooding are deeply personal but for all of us they are deeply felt, and we stand together always. I’m grateful for the way our university, The Texas A&M University System and the people who comprise our institution have stepped in and up to support the response and recovery efforts taking place or added expertise through media for the general public to understand a weather event like this. From students to faculty and staff who are helping, thank you, and for those who are hurting, we’re here for you. As President Welsh emphasized earlier this week, we have a variety of support resources available; please use them.

My updates are limited this week. First, I want to provide some clarity around the U.S. House Resolution 1 (H.R. 1), also known as the “The One Big Beautiful Bill,” as we have received several questions since its passage and signature on July 4. It’s important to understand that this bill is separate from the appropriations process that is ongoing.

While largely a tax bill, H.R. 1 included a few measures that impact higher education, such as changes to the endowment tax (limited to private institutions with enrollments over 3,000 students), student loan repayment processes and programs, Pell grant access and changes related to low-performing degree programs. This bill does not determine program or research-related funding for agencies such as the National Science Foundation or National Institutes of Health. Those funding directives are made through the appropriations process, which is underway in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and will continue to play out over the next several months.

Our Government Relations team is monitoring all of this legislation closely and is actively engaged with lawmakers and their staff. We anticipate that the soon-to-be-released appropriations bills in the House, which fund some of our key federal agency partners, will closely align with President Trump’s proposed budget released in May. Early indications on funding levels from the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies are more encouraging than those we anticipate from the House. As in all appropriations processes, those measures will go through changes as they move through Congress. To learn more, you can find a brief guide to the federal budget and appropriations process on the American Council on Education’s (ACE) website. We are collaborating with ACE, as well as the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the Association of American Universities to ensure lawmakers understand the impacts of research funding and will provide you with updates regarding any significant developments.

Secondly, you may recall that on June 4, 2025, a federal court order invalidated the portion of an existing Texas law that allows students who do not have a valid immigration status to pay in-state tuition at universities if they otherwise met the eligibility requirements of the statute. The court’s order requires that the university take steps to ensure only individuals who are lawfully present in the United States and who meet the residency criteria of Texas Education Code 54.051(m) and 54.052(a) are eligible for in-state tuition. Based on guidance from the Texas A&M System and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, we are fully implementing the requirements of the court’s order for students beginning this fall.

We are in direct contact with the potentially affected students who need to provide new documentation to confirm their eligibility for an in-state tuition rate or begin paying a non-resident tuition rate. If you receive inquiries from students, please direct them toward Aggie One Stop, as the team there can best help them.

Finally, earlier today, the Joint Associations Group (JAG) on Indirect Costs, composed of various higher education organizations, released their recommendation for an “updated, more efficient, transparent research funding model.” You will recall that we provided input to their models alongside many other institutions. With the recommendation now finalized, university leadership will be gathering more information during a JAG town hall next week about the new Financial Accountability in Research (FAIR) Model. We will remain engaged with legislators as this moves forward to support appropriate facilities and administrative funding for our research endeavors.

We will continue to keep you updated on any changing guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these changes may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may continue to access guidance for Principal Investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

As we head into Independence Day weekend, I wish you all a happy Fourth of July and hope you find time to enjoy and celebrate the holiday with friends and family. I will keep this week’s update short.

We are actively moving forward with planning the necessary next steps to address legislation passed by the Texas State Legislature. Each new law that affects our institution will have a lead responsible for facilitating the planning and implementation of any necessary changes. As I’ve mentioned previously, a working group led by Joseph P. Pettibon II, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Business Services, has already been established to support the implementation of Senate Bill 37, relating to university governance. Other working groups may be established as needed for other laws.

As the volume of stop-work orders and terminations for federal research projects continues to slow each week, we continue to promote your impactful research to policymakers and through media to advocate for the sustained federal funding needed to maintain it. We also are focused on advancing new and existing projects with our federal partners. We have a long history of working with the federal government to solve some of the nation’s toughest challenges, and we will continue to do so. I’m proud of your work to deliver solutions and grow the body of knowledge on issues that affect all of us. Thank you, and keep up the great work.

We remain committed to keeping you updated on any shifting guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these changes may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage, and researchers may continue to access guidance for Principal Investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you for all you do for Texas A&M today and every day.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

Dr. Michael D. Johnson has been appointed to serve as Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University, effective July 1. Dr. Johnson brings a deep knowledge of academic programs, the curricular process and university operations to this interim role. He will also continue in his current role as Associate Provost for Academic Enhancement while the university launches a national search for a permanent Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, scheduled to begin early this fall.

Dr. Johnson received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University in 1999. He earned his M.S. in engineering in 2001 and his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in 2004 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research focuses on engineering education, production economics and design tools.

As you know from President Welsh’s Leadership Update last week, Dr. Timothy P. Scott will continue to serve Texas A&M in his new capacity as the Chief of Staff to the President.

I am sincerely appreciative of his outstanding service in the Office of the Provost as Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, as well as in several other critical leadership positions throughout his tenure in the Office of the Provost. He has provided steadfast leadership, deep commitment to student success and thoughtful guidance on many pivotal initiatives that have strengthened our institution. His ability to articulate and advance a strategic vision for excellence has positioned Texas A&M as a leader in academic innovation.

We wish him every success in his new position and look forward to the continued impact of his leadership in this important university-wide role.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

As President Welsh wrote earlier this week, our highest priority is the safety and well-being of our Texas A&M University community. I am proud of the response of our campus to protect and support our colleagues in Qatar. While we have resumed regular operations for the campus, we recognize individual circumstances of employees, students and their families vary, and we are supporting flexible approaches to teaching and learning during this time. Our colleagues in Qatar are working diligently to support the students there as they navigate the challenges of winding down the campus on top of regional conflict. I thank them for their resilience, grace and dedication. We will continue to keep you all informed about any updates.

We have just a few updates this week as state legislation became law and federal policy changes continued.

State Legislation Approved

This past weekend, Governor Abbott signed over 1,000 pieces of legislation into law. Included among these were Senate Bill 1 (the state budget), Senate Bill 17 (relating to the purchase of land by foreign individuals), Senate Bill 37 (relating to faculty senates and university governance), Senate Bill 2615 (relating to remote work policies for institutions of higher education), and House Bill 5196 (relating to telework policies for state agencies). We are closely monitoring the implementation process and will be communicating with you regarding these changes.

We also are aware that on June 23, the governor announced a special session, limited to 30 days, to begin on July 21, naming several topics for legislative consideration. Currently, none of the proposed topics relate to higher education.

Facilities and Administrative Cost Rate Update

On June 20, a U.S. District Court found that the National Science Foundation’s 15% Facilities and Administrative Cost (F&A) rate cap was “invalid, arbitrary and capricious, and contrary to law.” While the administration may choose to appeal the ruling, the rate cap is not in effect currently. As I have mentioned previously, the group of higher education organizations that make up the Joint Associations Group (JAG) was soliciting feedback on their two proposed FAIR models for calculating indirect cost reimbursements. On June 23, The Texas A&M University System submitted our feedback, and we expect the final model to be determined by the JAG and presented to Congress before the end of the month. Please note that this is only a proposal, and we anticipate more changes in the process as legislators debate this model.

International Student Guidance Updates

We are aware of and communicating with international students about changes announced on June 18 by the Department of State that they are expanding their screening and vetting process for student and exchange visitor visa applicants. If you have concerns or questions, the International Student and Scholar Services office is the best resource for helping our international students and scholars, while international faculty and staff can reach out to Immigration Affairs. Thank you to both of these offices for their outstanding efforts to keep our international community informed and supported.

New Consortium to Create Accreditation Model

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

I hope that you are finding some time in the heat of the summer to rest and recharge with friends and family. I’m pleased to share that Texas A&M University has once again been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution — both for the third year in a row. We are proud of these designations that reflect our service mission and expand our federal options. If you have questions about these and other related opportunities, reach out to Elsa Gonzalez, Assistant Provost for Strategic Educational Partnerships, at elsa@tamu.edu and/or Michael Hardy, Deputy Chief Government Relations Officer and Director of Federal Relations, at mjhardy@tamu.edu.

We have a few updates this week on the state and federal policy front.

Court Decision on In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students

As I mentioned earlier this month, on June 4, Texas settled a court case with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding a state law that permitted undocumented students to receive in-state tuition rates if they met the eligibility requirements of the statute. The U.S. District Court judge declared that the law, as applied to individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States, violates the Supremacy Clause and ordered that the state is now prohibited from enforcing these sections of the Texas Education Code as applied to individuals not lawfully present in the United States. On Wednesday, June 18, we received guidance from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that the order be implemented beginning this fall. We are working to finalize the next steps based on this guidance with The Texas A&M University System and will be reaching out to potentially affected students soon.

Senate Bill 37 Working Group

In anticipation of SB 37 becoming law, which changes university governance structures related to curriculum decisions and faculty senates, President Welsh has created a working group to prepare for the upcoming changes. This group is led by Joe Pettibon, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Business Services, and has a goal of ensuring a smooth transition to implement changes based on guidance from the Texas A&M System prior to the bill’s fully effective date of Jan. 1, 2026.

Facilities and Administrative Cost Rate Updates

Following the Department of Defense announcement implementing a 15% Facilities and Administrative Cost Rate (F&A) cap last week, a group of higher education organizations filed a lawsuit, and a temporary restraining order was put in place by a federal judge. Additionally, we expect the potential for a ruling from a District Court as early as today, June 20, on the National Science Foundation F&A cost rate cap. We are closely monitoring all of the active litigation regarding F&A rates, continuing to engage with the group that is proposing new F&A models, and maintaining current information on the Division of Research’s federal agency specific updates webpage regarding these changes.

Telling Our Story

As we think about these policy updates, I also want to highlight the significant and increasing presence Texas A&M is having on the national stage — highlighting your work and the impact of your research. At Texas A&M, our faculty, staff and students are truly a force for good in so many areas, and others are recognizing it. Just recently, Texas A&M was showcased by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies — the only university to receive such a distinction alongside innovative titans like Nvidia, YouTube and EA Sports. On the heels of that award, our researchers were recognized by Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas for breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s research. At the same time, faculty are regularly being quoted in national media on topics of national and international importance because our faculty expertise is second to none.

And hot off the press … while Texas A&M was the sixth most recognized and visible public university in the nation last year — measured by public interest, media placements, social media following, web searches and website visitors, among other criteria — American Caldwell announced just today (via its annual Global Visibility Rankings) that Texas A&M has ascended to No. 2 this year among all U.S. public universities, leapfrogging Arizona State University, Berkeley, UCLA and the University of Michigan. Texas A&M moved from No. 21 in the world to No. 13 and No. 8 among all U.S. universities from No. 14 last year, and we remain the most recognized and visible public university in the state of Texas.

I want to thank our marketing and communications teams — through the Division of Marketing and Communications and through our unit communications teams — who are on the frontlines of telling the incredible story of impact our faculty, staff and students have on our state, nation and beyond. I’ve often mentioned how we’re telling that story to members of Congress and their staff. I encourage you to view our federal priorities and research impact webpages to learn more about this work. These are your stories ... and we’re incredibly proud of the work you do every day.

We will continue to keep you updated on any shifting guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these changes may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage, and researchers may continue to access guidance for Principal Investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

As Congress continues to meet to discuss each federal agency’s budget request and the Governor continues to consider legislation, we understand that there is an overwhelming amount of information to sift through from both levels of government. Our hope is that these weekly messages provide you with information on the key updates that may impact our work so you can continue to pursue our mission of excellence with clarity and confidence. We greatly appreciate your efforts to make our university the best place in the world for research, learning and service.

Federal Budget Process Continues for FY 2026

Hearing on Indirect Costs Lawsuit with National Science Foundation

Department of Defense Indirect Cost Rate Cap Implementation

Joint Association Working Group Townhall on F&A Rates

• FAIR Model 1 introduces a streamlined, standardized percentage applied to total federal research project costs, adjusted based on institutional and research-type factors and eliminating the need for negotiated F&A rates.
• FAIR Model 2 provides a detailed, cost-driven approach by directly budgeting key research support functions, including facilities, grants management and regulatory compliance, as standardized direct cost categories (only minimal administrative costs remain).

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Bonnie R. Rush as Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS), effective August 1, 2025.

Dr. Rush currently serves as the Hodes Family Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, where she has held progressive leadership roles since 1993—rising from an associate professor to department head for ten years, to hospital director for two years, to dean since 2017. A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (large animal), Dr. Rush is widely recognized for her leadership in veterinary education, student wellness, community engagement and program development.

At Kansas State, she has led transformative initiatives including the launch of multiple DVM certificate programs, the expansion of high-impact Shelter Medicine and Community Outreach rotations and a donor-funded student wellness program that has become a model in veterinary education. Her efforts in faculty and staff development, facility renovation and research infrastructure—such as securing NIH funding for a new biomedical research facility—have significantly elevated the college’s academic and clinical reputation.

Dr. Rush currently serves as President of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, offering her a national perspective on the opportunities and challenges in veterinary medical education. She is an alumna of Ohio State University, where she earned a M.S. in Veterinary Clinical Sciences and a DVM summa cum laude.

I again, extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. John August for his outstanding service and continuing leadership as Dean. He has agreed to remain in his role through August 1 to ensure a smooth transition.

I am also deeply grateful to the Search Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr. Amy Waer, Dean, College of Medicine, for their diligent work in conducting a comprehensive and successful national search.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Rush to Aggieland and congratulating her on this important appointment. I am confident she will lead VMBS with the same vision, energy and integrity that have defined her exemplary career.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

The great work you do across this university every day is a testament to the power of the Aggie Spirit, and we are working to ensure that your contributions are communicated to decision-makers at all levels of government. While I know summer can feel like a slower time with fewer students on our campuses, we never really slow down. However, I hope, as you’re able, you take some time away with family and friends to recharge.

With the conclusion of the 89th Texas Legislative Session earlier this week, there are nearly 1,200 bills headed to the Governor’s desk where he has 20 days (until June 22) to take action on them. The Governor can sign them (making them law), veto them (issuing a proclamation on his reasoning) or not sign them, which automatically makes them law after the 20-day period ends. Our Government Relations team will be providing a comprehensive update later this summer to share the results of the session and next steps.  

In addition to the conclusion of the state session, we are aware of and evaluating several additional federal actions this week.

Court Decision on In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students

On June 4, Texas settled a court case with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding a state law that permitted undocumented students to receive in-state tuition rates. The judge ruled in a U.S. District Court that the law violated the Supremacy Clause and ordered that the state is now prevented from enforcing this section of the Texas Education Code. We are working with The Texas A&M University System as they coordinate administrators from across the System to gather information needed to develop an appropriate plan to implement the requirements of the order.

President Issues Proclamation Regarding Entry and Visa Restrictions

On June 4, President Trump issued a proclamation titled, “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” which bans entry to the U.S. for citizens from 12 countries and increases visa restrictions for citizens from another seven countries. We are ensuring international scholars and students are aware and have access to accurate information. Please refer any international students and scholars with questions to the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office at isss@tamu.edu, and faculty and staff can reach out to Immigration Affairs. I want to thank our ISSS team for their continued support of our students.

President Releases Additional Details on FY26 Federal Budget Request

On May 30, President Trump issued his administration’s “Technical Supplement to the 2026 Budget Appendix” via the Office of Management and Budget. This document builds on the previous “skinny budget” that was released on May 2, providing Congress additional detail about the administration’s federal spending priorities. Congress takes this into account when developing budget resolutions in their respective chambers, which they reconcile in conference before building appropriations bills, but it is important to note that this is simply a starting point. The conversation over FY26 appropriations will play out over the course of the next four to six months, and the government relations team will continue to be engaged in these conversations. If you have specific concerns about certain areas of the budget, I encourage you to reach out to Michael Hardy, Deputy Chief Government Relations Officer and Director of Federal Relations to voice any concerns. Also, I want to reiterate the research and work you do here changes lives around the world, and we recognize your personal and professional commitment and investment to that work. We know this uncertainty can be difficult, and we are working with Faculty Affairs to ensure you have the necessary support. At the same time, we continue to engage policymakers and their staff to emphasize the critical importance of your work and the vital role our university plays in contributing to national priorities.

Update on Joint Association Working Group (JAG) on Facilities and Administrative Rate

As I mentioned previously, earlier this year, several higher education associations joined together to form a working group on a potential new F&A rate model that would be acceptable to both universities and the federal government. That group, which consists of a broad spectrum of university administrators, researchers, financial administrators, research foundations, former government officials and the private sector has worked tirelessly throughout the spring and early summer. They continue to make progress, using our recent feedback on some key questions, as well as that of other universities. It is possible that we will begin to see some of that initial work next week and be encouraged to provide feedback before it is ultimately sent to Congress before the end of the month. Our Government Relations team and I understand the critical importance of this topic and will continue to aggressively and proactively be engaged in these conversations.

We will continue to keep you apprised of any changing guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these shifts may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may continue to access guidance for principal investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

I hope that you had a good, long weekend after a long academic year and have managed to stay relatively dry and safe this week amid the severe weather. With the state’s regular legislative session ending on Monday, we have quite a few state updates to provide on bills moving through the process, in addition to some federal updates that also impact our university.

Student Visa Updates

We are aware of recent reports that the State Department has discussed temporarily pausing new student visa applications and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement regarding revoking visas for Chinese students.  At this point, we have not received any direct guidance from the State Department, but we are continuing to advise students to follow the normal visa application process and are monitoring this closely. We understand these policy changes create uncertainty for our international community, and we encourage the entire university community to support our valued international students and scholars. As a reminder, resources are available to international students and scholars through the International Student and Scholar Services team, and resources for international faculty and staff are available through Immigration Affairs.

Executive Order on "Gold Standard Science"

On May 23, President Trump issued a new executive order, “Restoring Gold Standard Science,” which instructs that within 30 days, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall issue guidance for agencies on implementation of “Gold Standard Science” in the conduct and management of their respective scientific activities. The order describes “Gold Standard Science” as science conducted in a manner that is “reproducible; transparent; communicative of error and uncertainty; collaborative and interdisciplinary; skeptical of its findings and assumptions; structured for falsifiability of hypotheses; subject to unbiased peer review; accepting of negative results as positive outcomes; and without conflicts of interest.” The order has other stipulations, and we are analyzing this language as well as awaiting further guidance from agencies. We will keep you informed on how these new changes may impact research.

Terminations and Stop Work Orders

We’ve mentioned weekly that we are continuing to monitor terminations and stop work orders while supporting principal investigators (PI) affected by them. As of Monday, May 26, across Texas A&M University, including projects overseen by Texas A&M Health, AgriLife Research and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, we have a total of 22 stop work orders and 83 terminations, totaling $165 million in lost funding. It’s important to remember that this is just a snapshot in time and continues to be a fluid situation. We know the impact on individual projects is difficult, and we remain committed to the pursuit of great research and supporting those who lead it. We will continue to monitor and support PIs who are impacted by terminations or stop work orders. If you have an affected project or are concerned about a project on which you’re currently working, please reach out Sponsored Research Services at cstratta@tamu.edu.

State Legislative Updates

• Senate Bill 17, which creates prohibitions on landownership in Texas by certain foreign entities and individuals, was adopted by both chambers and will be sent to the governor for signature. The Texas A&M University System is closely reviewing the final legislation to provide guidance to the university on how it may impact our international community.

• Senate Bill 37, which would change governance structures at universities related to curriculum decisions and faculty senates, passed out of the House on May 25, went to a conference committee on May 28 and was approved by its committee members on May 29. Lawmakers have until Sunday to vote to adopt the report in both chambers. We are monitoring this legislation closely and remain engaged in meaningful conversations with lawmakers about implementation.

• Senate Bill 2615, related to remote work policies for employees of public institutions of higher education, was voted out of the House on May 28. The Senate will either concur with amendments or call for a conference committee.

• House Bill 5196, related to telework policies for state employees, was voted out of the Senate on May 28. It will soon be sent to the governor for signature. This bill defines the authorization of telework as an agreement between the administrative head of a state agency and an employee in order to address a lack of office space and provide reasonable flexibility in achieving the organization’s mission. The bill requires agencies to adopt an agency telework plan and publish it publicly.

• Senate Bill 2972, related to expressive activities at public institutions of higher education, passed out of the House on May 28. The Senate has refused to concur with the House amendments, and a conference committee has been established to work through the final bill text.

We will continue to keep you apprised of any changing guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these shifts may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage, and researchers may continue to access guidance for PIs through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mansoor Khan, RPh, Ph.D., as Dean of the Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy, effective June 1. Dr. Khan has served as Acting Dean since August 2023.

Since joining Texas A&M in 2015, Dr. Khan has held several key leadership roles, including Vice Dean of the Rangel School of Pharmacy and Interim Department Head of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He has been recognized with two of the university’s highest honors: Regents Professor and Presidential Impact Fellow.

Dr. Khan brings more than 25 years of distinguished leadership experience in academia and federal service. His expertise spans academic program development, research funding acquisition, clinical practice advancement, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.

A registered pharmacist, Dr. Khan earned his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Kakatiya University and a master’s in pharmaceutical technology from Andhra University, both in India. He later earned a second master’s in pharmaceutics from Idaho State University and a doctorate in pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics from St. John’s University.

Prior to joining Texas A&M, Dr. Khan spent over 11 years at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, where he served as Director of Product Quality Research and Senior Biomedical Research Scientist in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. His earlier academic appointments included roles at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and work in research and development at Novartis Pharmaceuticals in New Jersey.

With a national and international reputation in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, Dr. Khan is well-positioned to lead the Rangel School of Pharmacy into its next chapter. I look forward to the continued impact he will bring through collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and partners in research, industry, and public service.

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the entire Search Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr. John August, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. I am grateful for his dedicated leadership and the committee’s engagement throughout this successful search

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

As we head into a long weekend and observe Memorial Day with our friends and families, I hope you all have a safe and restful time. Also, I encourage each of us to take time to pause on Monday to honor those who have fallen while in service to our country; their sacrifice has enabled our freedoms. Our dedication to selfless service and honoring that of others is unwavering. Before we get to that long weekend, we have a few updates on the changing policy landscape.

As we head into a long weekend and observe Memorial Day with our friends and families, I hope you all have a safe and restful time. Also, I encourage each of us to take time to pause on Monday to honor those who have fallen while in service to our country; their sacrifice has enabled our freedoms. Our dedication to selfless service and honoring that of others is unwavering. Before we get to that long weekend, we have a few updates on the changing policy landscape.

U.S. District Court Enjoins Department of Education from Implementing Reduction-in-Force and Transfer of Management Duties

On May 22, a U.S. District Court in Massachusetts enjoined the U.S. Department of Education from implementing the March 11 reduction-in-force (RIF), carrying out the March 21 directive to transfer the management of federal loans and special education functions, and directs the administration to reinstate individuals affected by the RIF.

National Science Foundation Indirect Cost Rate Cap

On May 19, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced that it is temporarily pausing the 15% cap on facilities and administrative rates, which was previously being implemented under the NSF Policy Notice: NSF 25-034. This pause is in effect through June 13, when a hearing is scheduled to occur in a United States District Court. New NSF awards issued during this pause will not implement NSF 25-034, but they will include a term that would implement NSF 25-034 for the entirety of the award, dependent on future court decisions.

Indirect Cost Research Framework Feedback

Termination and Stop Work Orders

State Legislative Updates

• Senate Bill 17, which creates prohibitions on landownership in Texas by certain entities and individuals, is still in conference committee. We will continue to monitor this closely.

• Senate Bill 37, which would change governance structures at universities related to curriculum decisions and faculty senates, passed out of the House Committee on Higher Education on May 19 and is scheduled to be heard on the House floor tomorrow, May 24. We are working closely with the System to fully understand the implementation of this bill for the university and will be sharing more with you all soon as the bill moves through the process.

• Senate Bill 530, which removes the statutory requirements for institutions of higher education to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, was signed into law by Governor Abbott on May 20 and becomes effective on Sept. 1, 2025.

• Senate Bill 2615, related to remote work policies for employees of public institutions of higher education, has been voted out of the House Committee on Higher Education. This bill restricts teaching faculty from fully remote work unless they meet certain exceptions. There was recently a committee substitute that we are currently reviewing. The next step is for the bill to move on to the House floor for a vote.

• House Bill 5196, related to telework policies for state employees, was discussed at a public hearing before the Committee on Business and Commerce on May 22. It was left pending in committee.

As promised, we will continue to keep you updated on changing guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these shifts may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may continue to access guidance for PIs through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,
Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

As we enjoy a short reprieve between the spring and summer terms, I hope each of you are taking time to recognize your success over the last year and look ahead. Your contributions – through research, teaching and service – are truly a force for good in our state, nation and beyond. I hope you find these weekly messages reaffirming of the university’s support for what you do and providing clarity into what we’re seeing and evaluating from a federal and state policy landscape as we think about the future of the university.

Department of Defense Indirect Rate Cap

Department of Energy Indirect Rate Cap Injunction

On May 15, a federal district court ruled in favor of the Association of American Universities (AAU), among other higher education organizations, and has ordered a nationwide preliminary injunction that halts the Department of Energy’s proposed 15% facilities and administration rate cap. We will continue to monitor this lawsuit closely and keep you informed on any further developments.

We continue to monitor and support principal investigators (PIs) who are affected by terminations or stop work orders. We are working with The Texas A&M University System, as agency projects can impact our faculty and graduate students. These impacts remain fluid, and we’re working with PIs on an individual basis as needed. If you have an affected project or are concerned about a project on which you’re currently working, please reach out to SRS at cstratta@tamu.edu.

State Legislative Updates

• Senate Bill 17, which creates prohibitions on land ownership in Texas by certain entities and individuals, has gone to a conference committee to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions. We will continue to monitor this closely.

• Senate Bill 37, which would change governance structures at universities related to curriculum decisions and faculty senates, is still pending in the House Committee on Higher Education. We are monitoring additional changes to the bill, and we continue to provide important context and information to legislators and their staff.

• Senate Bill 530, which removes the statutory requirements for institutions of higher education to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, is now with the Governor and will become law upon his signature. It will be effective Sept. 1, 2025.

• House Bill 5196, related to telework policies for state employees, has been referred to the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce. Senate Bill 2615, related to remote work policies for employees of public institutions of higher education, has been referred to the House Committee on Higher Education and has been scheduled for a public hearing next week. We continue to monitor this bill closely.

Executive Order GA-48 Implementation

Based on guidance from the Texas A&M System, we have taken steps to ensure full compliance with GA-48, “Hardening State Government Against Foreign Threats.” We are in the process of finalizing our implementation plan by the end of the month and will have it fully enacted by July 1. As one piece of this effort, employees report their personal travel to certain foreign countries through Workday and confirm their planned compliance with the order. If you have questions about the Workday form, please contact hrnetwork@tamu.edu. We will be sharing more comprehensive information as that implementation plan is finalized. If you have questions in the meantime, feel free to contact the GA-48 Implementation Committee Co-Chairs Michael Johnson and Jason Boyle.

As promised, we will continue to keep you updated on changing guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these shifts may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may continue to access guidance for principal investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Blanca Lupiani as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, effective June 1. In this role, she will lead the Faculty Affairs organization, overseeing key areas that support faculty success across Texas A&M University. Her responsibilities will include guiding processes related to faculty recruitment and hiring, promotion and tenure, retention, development, honors and awards, partner placement and university-level grievances as well as ensuring faculty-related university guidelines remain current. She will also collaborate closely with department heads, deans and other university leaders to advance Texas A&M’s academic mission and shape a strategic vision for Faculty Affairs aligned with the university’s overarching goals.

Dr. Lupiani is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and has most recently served as Interim Associate Dean for Research in the College of Nursing since June 2024. She joined Texas A&M in 2002 as an Assistant Professor, was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2008, and to Professor in 2012. A distinguished researcher, Dr. Lupiani's work focuses on the molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenesis. From 2011 to 2021, Dr. Lupiani served in several key leadership roles in the Office of the Dean of Faculties, including as Dean of Faculties and Associate Provost from 2019 to 2021.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Lupiani on her appointment. I am confident that she will bring exceptional leadership, strategic insight and deep institutional knowledge to this important role as we continue to support and elevate our outstanding faculty.

I also wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the search advisory committee, co-chaired by Dr. Fuhui Tong, Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate and Professional School, and Dr. Andrew Klein, Speaker of the Faculty Senate and Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences. I am grateful for their thoughtful leadership and the entire committee’s engagement throughout this successful search.

Finally, I would like to express my deep appreciation to Dr. Michael Johnson, Associate Provost for Academic Enhancement, for his dedicated service as Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs since September 2024.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

This week, we are awarding over 13,000 degrees to spring graduates at commencement ceremonies in College Station, Galveston, Ft. Worth, Dallas and Qatar. I want to thank each of you for your hard work in preparing our graduates for this life-changing moment. These former students are entering their next chapter equipped with the confidence that you, our Aggie faculty and staff, passed on to them. We greatly appreciate your efforts and maintain our commitment to keeping you informed of any federal or state policy shifts that may impact our institution and, specifically, your roles.

Indirect Cost Rate Cap Actions

On May 2, the National Science Foundation (NSF) notified institutions, including Texas A&M University, of a Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate of 15% for all new awards on or after May 5. On May 5, a group of higher education organizations, including the Association of American Universities (AAU), the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), all of which we are members, along with several research institutions, filed a lawsuit in a U.S. District Court regarding the rate cap. Sponsored Research Services (SRS) is working closely with individuals wanting to submit new NSF grant proposals while we await the outcome of that legal process.

On May 8, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced new policies, including a limit on indirect cost rates for universities to 15%. The agency stated additional information would be forthcoming. This comes after the DOE’s announcement of an indirect rate of 15% in April for which there is a pending lawsuit in a U.S. District Court and a temporary restraining order in place.

We will continue to monitor updates related to all indirect cost rate changes across agencies, and SRS will continue to work with principal investigators submitting new proposals. Additionally, the Council on Government Relations (COGR), along with the other major Higher Education Associations (AAU, APLU, ACE and others) have been working collaboratively with institutions of higher education, including Texas A&M, to develop a potential new indirect costs funding model that meets the needs of both the federal government and institutions of higher education. At the same time, our federal relations team continues to work closely with legislators on Capitol Hill and their staff to underscore the importance of indirect cost rates at their current levels in order to preserve the positive impact of our research.

Executive Order on Biological Research

Individual Agency Guidance

Earlier this week, we were alerted to an update that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) temporarily disabled the No-Cost Extension (NCE) functionality in eRA Commons as part of NIH’s efforts to review all existing grants and cooperative agreements. The notice indicated that “all requests for NCEs must be submitted as a prior approval request in eRA Commons, for NIH review and approval.” Researchers should continue to work with SRS on their NCE needs, and the Division of Research is updating individual agency guidance on its website to ensure researchers have access to the most up-to-date information.

State Legislative Updates

We are in the final weeks of the regular state legislative session, and our Government Relations team is working hard to ensure our perspective on bills impacting our university is heard. This week, the House Committee on Higher Education held a hearing for Senate Bill 37, which would change governance structures at universities related to curriculum decisions and faculty senates. The bill has undergone heavy revisions since it passed the Senate. The Texas A&M University System General Counsel Ray Bonilla was invited by the committee as a resource witness at Tuesday’s hearing to share testimony. The bill was left pending in committee.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

Earlier today, President Trump unveiled his proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which includes massive cuts in areas that, if implemented, would have real impact on the university. Our Government Relations team is actively discussing the potential implications of the proposed budget with federal legislators and their staff. It’s important to remember that this is just the beginning of the FY26 appropriations process that will continue through the summer and into the fall.

At the same time, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has notified institutions of a Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate of 15% for all new awards on or after May 5. This does not impact awards prior to May 5. We are also aware of additional project cuts coming from NSF, and we are actively monitoring for those communications and working with affected principal investigators.

We recognize the very real potential impact this proposed budget and F&A rate changes would have on our institution and your work, and we know you are concerned, too. Texas A&M University research helps shape the world around us, influences economic growth in our state and nation, and touches the lives of people all over the globe, and it has done so for nearly 150 years. We will not be slowed in our pursuit of truth, understanding and solutions to the challenges we face collectively. I can assure you that we have and continue to work diligently to underscore the importance of your work with policymakers.

International Students SERVIS Statue Restored

I am pleased to share that earlier this week, legal status was restored for all 23 of the Texas A&M students whose records were originally terminated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). We understand how challenging this has been for these students, their families and the international community here at Texas A&M. If you know of someone who has been affected by these challenges, please help them connect with the appropriate resources and show them the encouragement of the Aggie Family. The International Student and Scholar Services office is dedicated to serving our international students and scholars, while international faculty and staff can reach out to Immigration Affairs.

Additionally, we are aware of recent media reports regarding new policies related to international students. At this time, we have no new guidance from the federal government related to those reports. We will continue to closely monitor any immigration policy updates, keep the university informed of changes and ensure our international students, scholars, faculty and staff have access to the right resources.

State Legislative Updates

We are less than 30 days from the end of the regular legislative session, which includes a lot of continued discussions, as well as a series of deadlines for bill actions under House and Senate rules, eliminating the eligibility of bills to continue in the process. You can review these deadlines, along with a primer on the Texas Legislative Process, on the Texas Legislative Council website.

President Welsh was at the Texas Capitol this week, meeting with state legislators and sharing key perspectives on subjects that impact the university, from our capacity challenges to governance structures. There are also a few bills that have experienced movement in the process this week. Senate Bill 530, which would change accreditation processes in Texas, passed the Texas House of Representatives this week. It may either go to conference committee, or if the Senate concurs with House changes, be sent straight to the Governor for signature. Senate Bill 37, which would change governance structures at universities, has been scheduled for a hearing in the House Committee on Higher Education next week. We are working closely with The Texas A&M University System to ensure lawmakers fully understand the potential impacts of this legislation on our institution.

We will continue to keep you apprised of the changing guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these shifts may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may continue to access guidance for principal investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

No matter where Aggies were around the world this week, we paused on April 21 to come together for Muster, the most revered and solemn tradition in our university’s history. Regardless of the challenges we face as individuals, we stood united on this day as one family, to honor those who have fallen in the past year. As we navigate present and future uncertainties, it is important for us to remember that the Aggie Family is forever. My hope is that these weekly updates demonstrate that we are with you as we face obstacles, standing together in a constantly changing world.

Supporting International Students, Scholars, Faculty and Staff

I also encourage us to all take to heart the message from President Welsh earlier today that we must do everything in our power to support our international community during this time of uncertainty. I’m pleased that we are able to share we’ve seen 12 of the 23 students whose legal status was affected earlier this month have been returned to active in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This essentially means their legal status has been restored. If you know of an international student, faculty member or staff member who is concerned, please connect them with the appropriate office for support. International students and scholars should reach out to the International Student and Scholar Services office at isss@tamu.edu,and faculty and staff can reach out to Immigration Affairs.

Federal Grant Updates

We are monitoring all federal grant activity and notifications. We continue to receive some notifications of terminations or stop-work orders, and we have seen an increase in new or continued awards as well. Additionally, we continue to receive and analyze guidance from individual agencies. If you have a project that is impacted by federal changes, please reach out to your Dean and Sponsored Research Services so we can best support you.

New Executive Orders

On April 23, President Trump signed several new executive orders that impact higher education. In particular, the executive order Transparency Regarding Foreign Influence at American Universities directs the Secretary of Education to take actions that require complete and timely disclosure by higher education institutions of foreign funding. Additionally, Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education orders members of the cabinet to investigate and take appropriate action to terminate accreditors that fail to meet certain criteria and to develop new criteria for accreditation processes. We are closely analyzing all of the recent orders that impact higher education and will keep you updated on any changes. You may review a current list of executive orders on our U.S. executive memoranda, orders and actions page.

Court Letter on Department of Education's Feb. 14 Dear Colleague Letter

Yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland preliminarily blocked the enforcement of the Dear Colleague letter issued by the U.S. Department of Education on Feb. 14, 2025, until the lawsuit regarding its legality is resolved. The Dear Colleague letter required universities to comply with new guidance related to diversity, equity and inclusion programming and activities. The lawsuit is ongoing, and we will continue to closely monitor developments.

State Legislative Updates

As our Government Relations team continues to work closely with state legislative offices on a wide range of bills that may impact Texas A&M, I want to communicate the status of a few pieces of legislation. Senate Bill 37, a bill that would affect the governance structure of public universities in Texas, including the role of faculty senates and institutional leadership in curriculum decisions, has been received by the Texas House of Representatives and referred to the House Committee on Higher Education. Identical to the Senate process, the House Committee will most likely hold a hearing on Senate Bill 37 to begin their chamber’s procedures soon. Senate Bill 2615 and House Bill 5196, both measures that would codify restrictions on remote work for employees of public institutions of higher education, passed out of their respective chambers’ committees this week, while Senate Bill 530, which would remove the statutory requirements for institutions of higher education to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, passed out of the Senate and has started its journey in the House.

Dozens of other pieces of legislation that affect higher education are also going through the legislative process in both chambers, and our leadership is thoroughly tracking these bills while remaining closely engaged with legislators and their staff. The legislative process is iterative, and for any bill going through these steps, it is most likely that additional changes will be made in committees, on the chamber floors through amendments and/or in conference committees. I am grateful to our Government Relations team for actively participating in these numerous discussions with lawmakers while presenting perspectives and information on how policy changes will impact our campuses.

We will persist in keeping you informed on the shifting policy landscape and its impacts on our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may continue to access specific guidance for principal investigators. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

I hope that you have a restorative weekend and are able to take advantage of the early release today to spend more time with your family, friends and community. We appreciate all of the work that you do to make our university a home for our students, faculty and staff, and we remain committed to supporting all of you. As part of that support, I have several updates to report this week related to federal and state actions.

Department of Energy Indirect Rate Cap

On April 11, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a 15% cap on the agency's federal support of "indirect costs" for DOE research funding. On April 14, a group of higher education organizations, including the Association of American Universities (AAU), the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), filed a lawsuit in a U.S. District Court, seeking a restraining order on the cap. On April 16, the district judge issued a temporary restraining order barring the enforcement of the cap while announcing that a hearing will be held on April 28. We will continue to monitor this lawsuit and policy shift closely, and we encourage those impacted by DOE grants to stay in touch with Sponsored Research Services.

Grants.Gov Adminstration Update

Recently, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has taken over responsibility for managing Grants.Gov. Thus far, we have not seen any significant effects to operations of the site from our end, and we continue to submit and manage proposals there.

International Student, Scholar and Employee Update

As we mentioned in both a dedicated university communication and my weekly email last week, we are continuing to monitor the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) for changes to the legal immigration status of our international students and scholars. The number of affected students here at Texas A&M University remains at 23 since we last reported on Friday, April 11. We are focused on and committed to supporting our international community through this uncertainty. International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) has developed a hub of resources for our international students and scholars, and they have organized two upcoming events to offer immigration information and support to our international students and scholars. Please contact isss@tamu.edu for more information.

We also recognize our international faculty and staff may have concerns as well. Our Immigration Affairs team has been actively reaching out with resources and information, as the guidance for employees differs from that for students and scholars. We encourage faculty and staff with questions to reach out to Immigration Affairs.

89th State Legislature Updates

This week in the state legislature, a committee substitute for Senate Bill 37, the bill that impacts university governance, faculty senates and core curriculum requirements, passed out of the Senate and will now start its journey over in the House. Government Relations (GR) staff and Texas A&M leadership are actively working with legislators and their staff to provide information about the impacts of the legislation as currently proposed. Our GR team, leadership team and staff are closely tracking any legislation that may impact higher education and engaging lawmakers and their staff with questions, requests for clarification and information regarding the potential effects. As we head into the final weeks of the legislative session (which ends on June 2), please expect to see an increase in media coverage of different bills, and remember to verify any information you may see or hear with reputable sources.

We will continue to keep you updated on the changing policy landscape and its effects on our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage, and researchers may access specific guidance for principal investigators. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Lingqian (Ivy) Hu as the Dean of the College of Architecture, effective July 1, 2025.

Dr. Hu is a Professor in Urban and Regional Planning who joined the University of Florida (UF) College of Design, Construction and Planning in July 2022. She currently serves as the Chair of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning as well as the Associate Director of the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning.

Dr. Hu’s work has focused on the interrelationship between transportation and land use. She has extensive knowledge of real-world planning and policy efforts to promote prosperous cities, reduce environmental impact and enhance public health. She has published more than 40 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious urban planning and transportation journals, and has been the principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on research projects totaling $5.2 million in funding supported by the National Science Foundation and other agencies. She currently serves as the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Planning Education and Research and Associate Editor of Transportation Research Part D.

Before joining UF, Dr. Hu was Professor and Chair of the Urban Planning Department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She received her Ph.D. in Policy, Planning and Development, and her master’s in Planning from the University of Southern California and her bachelor’s degree in Planning from Nanjing University. She worked as a planner at the Southern California Association of Governments and the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Hu to Texas A&M University and congratulating her on her appointment as Dean of the College of Architecture. I have the utmost confidence that she will leverage her demonstrated leadership skills and aspirational vision to elevate the college in this time of extraordinary potential.

I extend my sincere appreciation to the entire search committee chaired by Dr. Jeff Savell, Vice Chancellor and Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences. I am grateful for Dean Savell's continuous leadership as Chair, and to the committee members for so actively engaging in the process of this successful national search. I also wish to extend my sincere appreciation to Patrick Suermann for his service to the College of Architecture as Interim Dean since January 2021.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Gradute Students,

We have seen several new federal actions this week that impact our institution, and I want to assure you that our Government Relations and leadership teams are staying on top of these developments. As these changes occur, we are working to ensure affected individuals have access to information and resources, and we are ensuring that lawmakers, agencies and higher education organizations understand the actual and potential effects of these changes on our institution and the people who comprise it. In addition to changes at the federal level, the 89th Texas State Legislature continues to advance legislation that will affect our university, and we have included information on that process as well.

Immigration-related Policy Changes

As of this morning, the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) has confirmed that 23 Texas A&M University students have had their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record terminated, which essentially terminates their legal status in the United States. Earlier this week, I communicated on this topic to all faculty, staff and students across all our locations. We are sharing information and guidance with our international students and scholars, and our Immigration Affairs team has information available for non-student employees. Please note that the information from Immigration Affairs is not intended for students. Faculty and staff should refer students to ISSS for guidance. In addition to these changes in status for certain individuals, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin considering social media activity as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests. We’ve updated our international faculty, staff and students on this new policy.

The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) is requesting a briefing from DHS and the Department of State on additional information regarding the underlying policies behind the recent international student legal status changes, and future actions, that may impact international students and scholars. APLU is also meeting with key leaders in the State Department and Congress to support our own advocacy efforts. Our Government Relations team is engaged and communicating with legislators as well. We recognize the impact these changes are having on our international community, and I remind us all that we are a family at Texas A&M. We will continue doing everything in our power to support our students, faculty and staff.

International Travel Guidance

Earlier this week, the university’s Immigration Affairs team shared guidance on international travel with all international faculty and staff. In an effort to comply with the requirement to report personal travel to countries specified in Governor Abbott’s Executive Action GA-48, "Hardening State Government Against Foreign Threats," Workday Services finalized a Certification of Personal Travel to a Foreign-Adversary process and accompanying guide. If you have questions about the Workday form, please contact hrnetwork@tamu.edu. The GA-48 Implementation Committee will distribute additional guidance on the various requirements of this executive order as it is finalized. Questions can be directed to the co-chairs of the committee, Dr. Michael Johnson and Jason Boyle.

NIH Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Cost Ruling

Several national organizations, including the APLU and Association of American Universities (AAU), announced earlier this week that they are working with the research community to proactively develop a more efficient and transparent model of the current F&A cost structure. This model will address concerns with university finance, grant administration, regulatory compliance and research project leadership, among other issues, alongside the research community, with the goal of submission to the federal government for consideration.  

89th State Legislature Updates

The 89th State Legislature has hundreds of active bills that could affect higher education, including House Bill (HB) 17, Senate Bill (SB) 37, HB 173, SB 2615 and SB 2647 to name a few. The Government Relations team, along with the help of experts across the university, continues to analyze the potential impact of these bills as they move through the process and is communicating appropriately on them with legislators and their staff. We appreciate those who continue to help us understand the potential impacts, like the Faculty Senate Legislative Affairs Committee. As is typical in the state’s legislative process, a much smaller number will ultimately pass and become law. Throughout the process, bills will continue to evolve as legislators consider the input received by Texas A&M and others. University leaders continue to engage with legislators and their staff, as well as through hearings, to provide that important input in formal and informal settings. Just this week, Christopher Reed, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, provided invited testimony in a legislative hearing on the state’s automatic admissions policy.

Our GR team informed us that early this morning, the bill containing the state’s biennium budget (SB 1) was passed on the floor of the Texas House. The next step is for both chambers to resolve the differences in each spending package over the next few weeks via conference committee. The final version of the bill will then be voted on by the conference committee and voted on, again, by each chamber. After that, it goes to the Comptroller for certification and, then, to the Governor for signature. We are working closely with lawmakers in both chambers to ensure the interests of Texas A&M students, faculty and staff are well understood by lawmakers.

Gratitude for Our Faculty, Staff and Students

I would like to again extend our appreciation to our Government Relations team, Julie Kopycinski and Michael Hardy, for their efforts in continuing to work with elected officials, agency leaders and organizations on these complex and evolving matters at the state and federal levels of our government. I also want to reiterate my thanks and appreciation to all of you on behalf of this university. Whether it’s through your teaching, research, service or other participation, you are the reason Texas A&M is a leader among higher education institutions. Our faculty are leaders in their fields and are the heart of our great university. Our staff are incredible in their support of our faculty, students and the university’s mission. And our students – they are the reason we’re here. Thank you – each of you are valued.

We will continue to keep you updated on the changing policy landscape and its effects on our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may access specific guidance for principal investigators. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams
Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues, 

Late Friday, we became aware of a policy change from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) involving payments for indirect costs (IDC). The change, as written, will reduce our federally negotiated IDC rate from over 50% down to 15%. As of late this afternoon, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order that will be further reviewed at a hearing on Feb. 21, 2025.

Such a change would have a significant impact on our university. We are actively working across the university and with The Texas A&M University System to understand the full impact to Texas A&M, develop mitigation strategies for work underway, and keep you informed as we gain clarity on current and future developments and solutions. 

Further, it impacts universities and research across the country, and we continue to collaborate with advocacy organizations, such as the Association of American Universities, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, Council of Government Relations, American Council on Education and others to communicate the importance of this funding.

For those submitting NIH proposals now or in the near future, please continue to use the appropriate federally negotiated facilities and administrative (F&A) rate. At time of award, if NIH reduces the F&A allowed, the Texas A&M System will act in accordance with NIH’s decision. This ensures your work and submissions remain compliant with the existing and potential new policies.

Changes to federal policy affect many areas of our institution, and you can find comprehensive updates on the Office of Government Relations’ Federal Government Transition (2025) webpage, which links to research-specific information as well.

Texas A&M University is one of the nation's leading research institutions, with researchers who are making discoveries that can improve lives and impact the world. We are committed to supporting our faculty, staff and students through these changes to ensure we can continue to solve complex challenges for our state, the nation and the world.

Thank you for all you do each to make that possible.

Sincerely, 

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

Dear Faculty,

A few weeks ago, President Welsh shared an update on Executive Order GA-48, noting that we are awaiting guidance from The Texas A&M University System and that no action should be taken at this time. 

While this information is still accurate, we have received questions related to travel restrictions within the executive order from stakeholders across the university.

The System Office of General Counsel (OGC) confirmed earlier this week that there is no prohibition on travel at this time. 

Once the OGC shares guidance with the university, President Welsh plans to appoint a committee to help ensure our compliance with the executive order.

It is important to note, too, that while the order does not specify an effective date, it states we must certify that we have "effectuated the requirements" of the order by Aug. 1, 2025.

Our international and education abroad students will receive a separate communication from Global Engagement with this information as well.

Thank you for all you have done to make this semester successful for our students. If traveling abroad is part of your plans for the semester break, I hope you are able to do so safely and that this information provides more clarity.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Affiliates, Faculty, and Staff,

After careful consideration, we have decided to postpone starting the search for the next Dean of the School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed) so that more progress can be made on curricular development in preparation for the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) application. We anticipate launching the search early in fall 2025.

I sincerely appreciate Dr. Tim Boone’s service as Interim Dean. I also extend my thanks to Dr. Amy Waer, Dean of the College of Medicine, and Dr. Robert Bishop, Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering, for their willingness to serve as co-chairs of the EnMed Dean Search Advisory Committee. 

Since 2019, the Texas A&M University and Houston Methodist Hospital partnership has leveraged world-class research and clinical expertise to advance medical innovations. We look forward to further developing our collaboration in cutting-edge health care solutions and transformative education.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

I am delighted to announce the appointment of John B. Sherman '92 as dean of the Texas A&M University Bush School of Government and Public Service, effective Aug. 1, 2024.

Sherman has served as the chief information officer for the U.S. Department of Defense since 2021. He replaces Gen. (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III, who served as dean of the Bush School before being named president of the university.

Sherman has served in the national security sector for 30 years and held senior positions in the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency and Office of the Director of National Intelligence. He was appointed by President Biden to the Senate-confirmed role of chief information officer of the Department of Defense, where he led the digital modernization for an enterprise with 4 million members and an information technology and cyber budget of $60 billion, and also by President Trump as chief information officer for the entire U.S. intelligence community. 

He is a distinguished military graduate of Texas A&M, served as Corps Commander and was commissioned as an Army officer. He went on to earn a Master of Public Administration from the University of Houston.

He is the recipient of the CIA Intelligence Medal of Merit, Presidential Rank Award (meritorious and distinguished levels) and National Intelligence Superior Service Medal.

A native of Houston, Sherman is married to Liz '91, who also works in national security, and they have two grown children who are both in public service.

Please join me in welcoming him back to Texas A&M and congratulating him on his appointment as dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service. I have the utmost confidence that he will leverage his wealth of expertise, demonstrated leadership and aspirational vision to lead the school in this time of extraordinary potential. He is the ideal leader to reflect President George H.W. Bush’s commitment to public service that is the foundation of the school.

I extend my sincere appreciation to the entire search committee, chaired by Dean Nate Sharp of Mays Business School, for this successful national search. I am also grateful to Dr. Frank B. Ashley III for his service to the Bush School as acting dean since August 2023.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

Earlier this month, the university community received an invitation to attend the Presidential Investiture of General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III on Oct. 25. I look forward to joining many of you at this event, a significant moment in Texas A&M University's history, as we celebrate the inauguration of our 27th president.

The formal ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. in Rudder Auditorium with a reception following at Aggie Park. An academic procession will precede the ceremony, and all Texas A&M faculty are encouraged to participate. If you haven’t already confirmed your attendance and plan to take part in the procession, please do so as soon as possible by completing this RSVP form. We have extended the RSVP deadline to tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m., to ensure our faculty have adequate time to register.  

In keeping with tradition, academic regalia is required to march in the academic procession. If you do not have your own regalia, Barnes & Noble at Texas A&M has regalia available to rent. We’ve made arrangements to cover the cost of the rented regalia. Please complete this order form and submit the completed form to generalmerchandise@tamu.edu by Oct. 10. Disregard the costs listed within the form.

Additional details will be made available on the Presidential Investiture website and will be communicated directly with all registered faculty members as the event date draws near.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

I am excited to share the draft of the Academic Roadmap for Texas A&M University. As you recall, President Welsh challenged our team to develop an Academic Roadmap that is grounded in Vision 2030 and the university’s Decade of Excellence Strategic Plan 2020-2025. Consequently, a lead committee — composed of faculty, researchers, staff, students and administrators from across the university — engaged in thoughtful discussions, exchanged ideas and aspirations and offered unique perspectives on the future academic goals and aspirations of Texas A&M.

The Academic Roadmap represents the committee’s draft recommendations for reaffirming and expanding the university's academic vision and strategic priorities. This will be instrumental in the university’s upcoming strategic planning effort.

Your feedback is critical in moving us forward and I encourage you to participate in any one of the three stakeholder engagement sessions. Please mark your calendar for the following open forum dates (Zoom links are embedded; no password is required):

Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 11 a.m.

Thursday, Sept. 19 at 1 p.m.

These sessions will be held via moderated forums to maximize participation, thoughtful discussion and diverse perspectives on the document from across our campuses.

Also, we have established a feedback form for your immediate use. I invite you to submit your comments. All feedback will be reviewed and considered by the committee for inclusion in the final version of the Academic Roadmap.

Thank you for participating in this important initiative. Defining the university’s academic future is an opportunity and responsibility for each of us, and I look forward to the vision we collectively define.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

The Office of the Provost is pleased to announce the first cohort of the Innovative Teaching Fellows (ITF) Program. Selected from over 70 applications, these faculty will participate in a rigorous two-year program, beginning this fall 2024 semester and concluding at the end of the spring 2026 semester. Each fellow will work in one of three technical tracks: teaching with artificial intelligence (AI), Canvas (and associated tools) usage, and innovative classroom technology and its uses.

Through a collaboration with the Center for Teaching Excellence, this program is designed to foster opportunities for growth, learning, peer engagement, project development and self-discovery to empower faculty in innovative teaching and learning. Fellows are expected to formulate a project proposal specific to their technical track, laying out a plan for how new innovative teaching tools, methods and/or techniques will be implemented to enhance student learning. Fellows will also serve as an expert evaluation group for prospective technologies in their respective areas. The program culminates with a final project and taking part in the University’s Transformational Teaching and Learning Conference in spring 2026. The fellows will then return to their units as experts in their respective fields. An application period for the second ITF cohort will open in spring 2025.

Innovative Teaching Fellows - Artificial Intelligence

Bangning Zhang - School of Public Health

Cindy Raisor - The Bush School of Government and Public Service

Lisa Troy - Mays Business School

John A. Williams III - College of Education and Human Development

Rafael Landaverde - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Robert Hardin - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Innovative Teaching Fellows - Canvas

Amanda Trimble - College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Angela Clendenin - School of Public Health

Darren Henrichs - College of Arts and Sciences

Sherry Lin - School of Public Health

Zhihong Xu - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Tamy Frank-Cannon - College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Innovative Teaching Fellows - Classroom Technology

Claire Carly-Miles - College of Arts and Sciences

Charles Patrick - College of Engineering

Robert “Jay” Woodward - College of Education and Human Development

Robin Rackley - College of Education and Human Development

Shreya Raghavan - College of Engineering

Shannon Washburn - College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science

Congratulations and thanks to the inaugural cohort of ITF faculty in advance for their participation and passion for this program. We look forward to expanding important educational innovation at Texas A&M.

Sincerely,

Michael

Michael Johnson

Associate Provost for Academic Enhancement

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

I am pleased to announce the creation of the new Texas A&M University College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies at Texas A&M University at Galveston, our strategic geographical location on the Gulf Coast, with a special purpose to support our sea-grant mission.

As our Galveston campus transforms into a hub of excellence in the blue economy sectors, the new college will expand its operating structure and become home to seven marine and coast-oriented departments with 17 undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Dr. Debbie Thomas, whose vision and determination have made this effort a reality, will serve as founding Dean of the new college and continue to serve as Executive Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer of Texas A&M at Galveston. Under her leadership, the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies will become a destination of choice for learners, scholars and professionals who seek to become leaders in coastal, marine and maritime fields.

"The College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies leverages the location and special purpose of the Galveston campus to improve lives and livelihoods through education, discovery, innovation and service in the coastal, marine and maritime disciplines,” said Thomas. “We are truly unique and unparalleled in our comprehensive collection of cutting-edge, mission-critical courses of study in the coastal, marine and maritime disciplines. The creation of this college positions Texas A&M University to be the nation’s premier destination of choice for learners, scholars and professionals in the blue economy.”

The college will maintain a highly interdependent partnership with the Texas A&M Maritime Academy and College of Engineering, co-located on the Galveston campus. Student support services will span across the two colleges and the Maritime Academy to ensure a cohesive student experience and capitalize on the unique characteristics of the campus and surrounding region. Efforts in the college will complement ocean and coastal programs, research and activities on the College Station campus.

“We have been reimagining Texas A&M University at Galveston as a hub of interdisciplinary excellence with an expanded operational framework that encompasses all aspects of the blue economy,” said Col. Michael E. Fossum, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Texas A&M at Galveston. “The creation of the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies provides broader, specialized support of Texas A&M’s sea-grant mission as we become the preeminent leader in marine, coastal and maritime research, education and training, not just in Texas but across the globe.”

The creation of the college provides Texas A&M with an immense opportunity to elevate our prestige in the marine sciences and maritime fields and attract learners, scholars and professionals with the most comprehensive hands-on, interdisciplinary programs in science, humanities, business, engineering and transportation, state-of-the-art facilities and internationally acclaimed faculty.

We are thankful for all the hard work and commitment of the faculty, staff, students and stakeholders who participated in the process of envisioning and creating this new college. It is a transformative step in the life of our Galveston campus as well as the marine and maritime world. We appreciate all you do to advance Texas A&M.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

I am delighted to welcome you back for the fall 2024 semester. As the students are heading back to class and moving into the residence halls, the excitement of a new academic year is in the air.

As you prepare to welcome your students to class, here are some important resources and reminders for your reference.

Schools to Colleges Name Changes

Today, the Schools of Architecture, Education and Human Development, Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy and Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts have officially transitioned to their new names as colleges. I appreciate your patience with the phased transitions as we graduated students this summer under the outgoing names so that we begin the fall semester with the now fully transitioned colleges. The new College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies also launched today at Texas A&M University at Galveston and will significantly enhance the collaborative initiatives between our campuses. The College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies will become a destination of choice for learners, scholars and professionals who seek to become leaders in coastal, marine and maritime fields. 

Ongoing and Expansion Efforts in OER

We continue to prioritize and increase our course affordability efforts by actively supporting and incentivizing the use of Open Educational Resources (OER). To date, our partnership with Barnes & Noble, University Libraries and OER development grants have saved Aggie students more than $6.6 million in textbook costs in 2021-24, and we continue to invest in OER grants.

Our commitment is demonstrated through ongoing efforts such as:

• OER Grants and Incentives: Texas A&M University offers grants and incentives to faculty members who adopt, adapt or create OER. These initiatives encourage instructors to use open materials instead of costly textbooks, directly reducing the financial burden on students.
• Library Support: The Texas A&M University Libraries play a significant role in promoting OER. The University Libraries recently hired Jennifer Pate to lead OpenEd Programs to build on the success and provide resources, workshops and consultation services to help faculty find and integrate OER into their courses. The Libraries also maintain an OER guide and repository, making it easier for instructors to locate and use open resources.
• Partnerships and Collaboration: Texas A&M collaborates with other universities, consortia and organizations that promote OER. These partnerships expand the availability of quality open resources and support the development of new OER materials.
• Course Redesign: Faculty at Texas A&M are encouraged to redesign their courses to incorporate OER, which can involve replacing traditional textbooks with free or low-cost alternatives. This not only reduces costs but also allows for more customized and up-to-date course content.
• Student Awareness and Advocacy: The university supports student-led initiatives that advocate for the use of OER. By raising awareness among students about the availability and benefits of OER, Texas A&M fosters a campus culture that values and prioritizes affordable education.
• Educational Resources, Materials and Merchandising Committee: We have reconvened our efforts to partner with the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in the Memorial Student Center to identify new and alternative products, programming and initiatives to advance cost savings in resources for teaching, learning and research.

Overall, these efforts contribute to significant cost savings for students, enhancing access to education and reducing the financial barriers associated with purchasing expensive textbooks.

Scantrons Are Being Replaced by Gradescope

The university is transitioning away from the use of scantrons in favor of Gradescope. The Office of the Provost shared that scantron processing will be available until August 2025, but if scantrons are used in the coming academic year, your department must purchase them and make them available to students at the time of the exam. 

Update on the Academic Roadmap

The Academic Roadmap committee wrapped up their deliberations at the end of May. The document draws heavily on Vision 2030 and the 2021-25 Strategic Plan. It will be shared broadly with the campus community after the semester kicks off, and at least two forums are planned, in addition to an open comment period. Professors Marian Eide and Andrew Klein have been selected through the Faculty Aspiring Leadership Program in Faculty Affairs to help guide the project this fall. This roadmap should assist President Mark A. Welsh III and the campus community in the Vision 2040 project planned for later this year.

Seeking Your Input on the Research Identity 

Work on Texas A&M's research identity continues as the deadline for participation in the Research Identity Report and Recommendations was extended to Tuesday, Sept. 3 to enable maximum participation. I encourage all members of the Texas A&M research enterprise to view the draft report and provide comments. Your input may be submitted using this dedicated feedback form, by emailing vpr@tamu.edu or directly with members of the Research Identity Committee. 

The Student Experience and Capacity Studies will be shared soon, as well as opportunities for community feedback.

"Maroon & White Nights" in Downtown Bryan 

The City of Bryan and Destination Bryan have started a new tradition — “Maroon and White Night” — every third Friday in Downtown Bryan, specifically geared toward university and Texas A&M University System employees and their families, beginning Aug. 16. 

Everyone is invited to experience live entertainment, vibrant art shows, local cuisine and eateries, and shopping.

I hope you had a great summer and are looking forward to the excitement that comes with the start of a fall semester in Aggieland. Best wishes for a successful semester!

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Welcome back to campus and best wishes for 2024! We are excited to share information with you about what's happening in the Office of the Provost, including action around the Research Identity and Academic Roadmap mentioned by President Welsh. 

The resources, reminders and information for you as the semester begins is included below. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

I thank you for your dedication to Texas A&M and our Aggie Core Values. I hope you and your students have an excellent semester.

Alan Sams
Texas A&M University Executive Vice President and Provost

Course Syllabi and Instructor Curriculum Vitae

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce four new appointments in the Office of the Provost.

Dr. Sandra Hansmann has been named Assistant Provost for the Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) effective Aug. 1. In this position, she will support home departments with HECM programs through academic coordination, student services and student activities to ensure HECM students have an excellent Aggie experience. She will promote community relations to raise awareness of the HECM in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.  

Dr. Hansmann most recently served as the Associate Dean of the Graduate College at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley since August 2018. She has held leadership roles in several departments and divisions there over the last 18 years, including roles in academic and student affairs, admissions and enrollment, research, program development and international programs.

Dr. Hansmann is a certified rehabilitation counselor and received her B.A. in behavioral sciences from Concordia University Texas in 1990. She earned an M.Ed. in special education with a focus in rehabilitation counseling in 1993 and her Ph.D. in special education with a focus in counselor education in 2000, both at The University of Texas at Austin.

I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the entire search committee, co-chaired by Manuel Vela, Associate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at HECM, and Dr. Michael Johnson, Associate Provost for Academic Enhancement, for this successful national search.

Dr. Michael D. Johnson has been appointed Associate Provost for Academic Enhancement for Texas A&M University effective July 1.

Dr. Johnson is a professor in the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution (ETID). He most recently served as the Interim Associate Provost for Faculty Success and Interim Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs since September 2022. He was previously Associate Dean for Inclusion and Faculty Success in the College of Engineering from 2020-22. He also held the role of Associate Department Head for Undergraduate Studies in ETID and was Program Coordinator for the Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology program. Before joining the faculty at Texas A&M as an Assistant Professor, he was a Senior Product Development Engineer at the 3M Corporate Research Laboratory in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Dr. Johnson received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University in 1999. He earned his M.S. in engineering in 2001 and his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in 2004 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Johnson’s research focuses on engineering education, production economics and design tools. His research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and industry.

I extend my sincere appreciation to the entire search committee, chaired by Dr. Timothy P. Scott, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, for this successful search.

Dr. Claire Katz has been named Associate Provost for Faculty Advocacy for the Office of Faculty Affairs effective Oct. 1. In this position, she will support and advocate for faculty members and faculty interests across offices to improve outcomes and develop and maintain structures that promote an excellent work environment for faculty members.

Dr. Katz currently serves as the Claude H. Everett, Jr. ’47 Endowed Chair in Education and Department Head of Teaching, Learning and Culture in the School of Education and Human Development. Previously, she was a Professor of Philosophy and Associate Dean of Faculties (Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs when the office was reorganized). She holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Philosophy and affiliated appointments in Women and Gender Studies and Religious Studies.

Dr. Katz earned her B.A. in philosophy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She holds an M.A.T. in the Philosophy for Children Program and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Memphis.

I also wish to formally thank the search committee, co-chaired by Dr. Heather Lench, Senior Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, and Dr. Angie Hill Price, Speaker of the Faculty Senate.

Chris Reed has been appointed Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Chief Enrollment Officer for the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Texas A&M effective July 15.

Mr. Reed currently serves as Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of Admissions here at Texas A&M, where he has held roles in several departments and divisions over the last 16 years. He previously held similar roles in Admissions and Records at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

He earned his B.A. in communication with a minor in public relations at A&M-Corpus Christi and his M.Ed. in higher education administration at Texas A&M. Mr. Reed is a demonstrated leader in admissions and enrollment management serving on numerous campus, system, state and national committees and holding offices in several professional organizations. He is currently the President-Elect for the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.

Here too, I am thankful to the entire search committee, chaired by Dr. Alicia Dorsey, Associate Vice President for Academic Effectiveness and Planning, for this successful national search.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Hansmann, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Katz and Mr. Reed on their new appointments.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Collegues,

I am writing to share that Dr. John August, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, has decided to retire in May 2025. Throughout his career, Dr. August has distinguished himself as a relentless supporter of faculty, staff and student success. He has been a catalyst in the development of innovative operational procedures, successful degree programs, transformational research initiatives and service efforts, among many other notable accomplishments.

Under Dr. August’s leadership, the school enjoys collaborative relationships with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Texas A&M University Health Science Center, and continues to enhance the Veterinary Education, Research and Outreach program, a dynamic partnership between Texas A&M’s veterinary school and West Texas A&M University. The school also recently received a full seven-year accreditation, is ranked among the best in the world and has the highest pass rate in the country on the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam.

During his tenure as dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the school has also expanded support for animal and human health in the Rio Grande Valley through research and outreach partnerships with the School of Nursing at the Texas A&M Higher Education Center at McAllen. Most recently, he has championed the planning and fundraising for the new Small Animal Teaching and Research Hospital in College Station, which is scheduled to open in 2027.

Dr. August was named dean in September 2020 and previously served in interim dean roles for the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the School of Public Health. Prior to that, he was dean of faculties and associate provost. He joined Texas A&M as professor and head of the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery in 1986.

We will be launching a national search for his replacement early in fall 2024. Dr. August has agreed to remain until the new dean is named in the spring so he can continue the momentum in building the new hospital complex in College Station and oversee the program developments in McAllen and Canyon.

Not only do I want to thank Dr. August for his nearly 40 years of selfless service to Texas A&M University, but I am also very appreciative that he has agreed to remain in place during this time of dramatic expansion for the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. His leadership and thoughtful stewardship of the school leave it very strongly positioned for a bright future and the next dean.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Collegues,

Following a national search, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Elsa M. Gonzalez as assistant provost for strategic educational partnerships and as such, director of Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) initiatives for Texas A&M University, effective Aug.15, 2024. In this role, Dr. Gonzalez will lead the university’s federally designated HSI efforts, serve as our liaison to the American Talent Initiative and assist in cultivating relationships with school districts, other partners and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. 

Dr. Gonzalez is an associate professor in the School of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M and has served as program director at the National Science Foundation (NSF) for Improving Undergraduate STEM Education, which includes the HSI program, the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program, the Educational Core Research program and the Faculty Early Career Development program. She also serves as the regional editor of the International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education and as a board member of the Journal of Hispanic Higher Education.

In 2020, she was awarded a CAREER grant from NSF for her project, Broadening Participation in STEM: A Qualitative Analysis of Resilience Experiences and Strategies of Latina STEM Majors in HSIs. Diverse Issues in Higher Education named her as one of the 25 Most Outstanding Women in Academia in 2023, and she was recognized with the 2023 NSF Director's Award for Superior Service Accomplishment. 

Dr. Gonzalez earned her B.S. in accounting from the University of Guanajuato, her M.B.A. from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and her Ph.D. in higher education administration and human resource development from Texas A&M. She is a demonstrated leader in higher education and qualitative methodological research. 

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Elsa Gonzalez on her appointment as assistant provost for strategic educational partnerships.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

I am delighted to announce the appointment of John B. Sherman '92 as dean of the Texas A&M University Bush School of Government and Public Service, effective Aug. 1, 2024.

Sherman has served as the chief information officer for the U.S. Department of Defense since 2021. He replaces Gen. (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III, who served as dean of the Bush School before being named president of the university.

Sherman has served in the national security sector for 30 years and held senior positions in the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency and Office of the Director of National Intelligence. He was appointed by President Biden to the Senate-confirmed role of chief information officer of the Department of Defense, where he led the digital modernization for an enterprise with 4 million members and an information technology and cyber budget of $60 billion, and also by President Trump as chief information officer for the entire U.S. intelligence community. 

He is a distinguished military graduate of Texas A&M, served as Corps Commander and was commissioned as an Army officer. He went on to earn a Master of Public Administration from the University of Houston.

He is the recipient of the CIA Intelligence Medal of Merit, Presidential Rank Award (meritorious and distinguished levels) and National Intelligence Superior Service Medal.

A native of Houston, Sherman is married to Liz '91, who also works in national security, and they have two grown children who are both in public service.

Please join me in welcoming him back to Texas A&M and congratulating him on his appointment as dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service. I have the utmost confidence that he will leverage his wealth of expertise, demonstrated leadership and aspirational vision to lead the school in this time of extraordinary potential. He is the ideal leader to reflect President George H.W. Bush’s commitment to public service that is the foundation of the school.

I extend my sincere appreciation to the entire search committee, chaired by Dean Nate Sharp of Mays Business School, for this successful national search. I am also grateful to Dr. Frank B. Ashley III for his service to the Bush School as acting dean since August 2023.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Howdy,

Now that we have the commencements behind us, it is time to celebrate the end of a successful academic year for the Office of the Provost team and bestow the Tradition of Excellence Awards to a few of our extraordinary colleagues. 

I am very pleased to announce the following honorees for the 2024 Tradition of Excellence Awards:

• Adrienne Bentz, Associate Director, Office for Student Success EAB Navigate
• Michelle Brown-Link, Administrative Coordinator II, University Libraries
• Mahjabin Chowdhury, Educational Researcher, IDEALS Lab
• Oscar L. Lopez, Senior Regional Advisor, Rio Grande Valley PSC, Office of Admissions
• Ben Milum, Assistant Registrar, Office of the Registrar
• Daniel Mueller, Writing Consultant II, University Writing Center
• Nicole Munyon, Financial Aid Advisor III, Scholarships and Financial Aid
• Dea Polk, Dual Career Program Manager, Faculty Affairs
• Erin Porter, Director, Aggie One Stop
• Meredith T. Ramirez, Associate Director, Office of Admission

Leadership Excellence Category

• Debra Fowler, Executive Director, Center for Teaching Excellence

Team Category

Office for Student Success Advising Team:

• Bonnie Bustos-Rios, Director, Academic Advising
• Tabitha Fritz, Academic Advisor IV

Don’t forget to join your colleagues for the Tradition of Excellence Social and Award Celebration, this Thursday, May 23 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Ford Hall of Champions. You can still RSVP to attend below.

RSVP

I look forward to seeing you there.

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Following an exceptional period of service as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Dr. N.K. Anand has chosen to return to the College of Engineering faculty as the James J. Cain ’51 Professor III in the J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, effective Sept. 1.

Dr. Anand's leadership has been crucial to the university, establishing Texas A&M University's Office for Faculty Affairs on Feb. 1, 2022, and elevating its role in the university. Through his leadership, Faculty Affairs has been instrumental in streamlining and improving faculty processes within the areas of promotion and tenure evaluation, shared governance, development and retention, award recognition and data management. He has worked tirelessly to support and advance the interests of faculty.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Anand for his outstanding selfless service in leading the Office for Faculty Affairs. His integrity, transparency and dedication to Texas A&M are admired across the university. Please join me in expressing appreciation to Dr. Anand for his leadership and embodiment of our core values.

An internal search for our next Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs will launch soon and be co-chaired by Dr. Blanca Lupiani, professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and Dr. Jack Baldauf, Vice President for Research.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Colleagues,

Free scantrons for your upcoming exams and finals will be available to students soon! In collaboration with the Student Government Association, Texas A&M University will provide free scantrons starting April 8 through May 7 at:

• Barnes & Noble Bookstore (lower level) in the Memorial Student Center (MSC) (during business hours)

• Business Library and Collaboration Commons (during open hours)

• Sterling C. Evans Library (during open hours)

Students will receive notifications about the free scantron pickup sites via email and social media.

Two types of scantrons – 882-E (green form) and M-O 101807 (gray form) – will be available at all locations noted below. Other types (except blue books) will be available at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in the MSC.

Additional Locations During Finals: May 2-7

Scantrons will also be available at seven locations across the main campus during finals at the following locations on May 2, 3, 6 and 7. Times will be posted online.

Pickup Locations:

• Barnes & Noble Bookstore (lower level) in the MSC

• Business Library and Collaboration Commons

• Sterling C. Evans Library

• Innovative Learning Classroom Building

• Sbisa Dining Hall

• Commons

• Blocker Building

All types of scantrons (except blue books) will be available free of charge at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in the MSC!

Please visit tx.ag/FreeScantrons for additional information and share this opportunity with your students.

Wishing you a smooth final exam week.

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

Now that the Quick-Look Assessment (QLA) decisions have largely been implemented and the alignment of the Office of the President has been finalized, the areas of responsibility for the Office of the Provost have been fully reorganized to support the core mission of the university in teaching, research and service. These changes were effective Jan. 1, 2024, and the organizational chart is available online. 

Although the QLA and the Office of the President reorganized many offices that had previously been part of the Office of the Provost, several others were added that broaden the scope. In addition to Academic Affairs, University Libraries, the Graduate and Professional School and the colleges and schools, the addition of the Division of Research, Faculty Affairs, Global Engagement and Enrollment Management units expand the portfolio and intentionally coalesce and strengthen the university’s ability to achieve its mission of supporting students, faculty and research.

Likewise, in the restructuring of the Office of the President, by moving the Becky Gates Children’s Center and the Charlotte Sharp Children's Center to the School of Education and Human Development, moving Texas Target Communities to the School of Architecture, moving University Press to the University Libraries and placing multiple units with the Office of the Provost Chief of Staff, it increased the depth and breadth of the Office of the Provost’s service to the university and community. 

These changes reflect President Welsh's commitment to the exemplary delivery on the core mission of the university, while also ensuring that the Office of the Provost is empowered, aligned and has the most advantageous organizational structure to support faculty, elevate student education and outcomes, and generate world-changing research.

I am pleased to share our updated organizational structure and leadership team with you.

Dr. N.K. Anand, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

Dr. Anand is the inaugural vice provost for Faculty Affairs. He joined Texas A&M in 1985 as an assistant professor in mechanical engineering. He is a Regents Professor and holder of the James J. Cain '51 Professor III Endowed Chair. 

Dr. Jack Baldauf, Vice President for Research

Dr. Baldauf leads the delivery of strategic support to further the university’s research mission, facilitates collaborations to increase federal funding, strengthens the research infrastructure, encourages commercialization partnerships and ensures research compliance.

Dr. Timothy P. Scott, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

Dr. Scott leads Academic Affairs. He was appointed vice provost for student success in August 2022. Before that, he held numerous leadership positions, including interim provost and executive vice president, associate provost for academic affairs and student success, and associate dean for undergraduate programs in the College of Science.

Dr. Fuhui Tong, Interim Associate Provost, Dean of the Graduate and Professional School

Dr. Tong is interim associate provost and dean of the Graduate and Professional School. Her responsibilities include providing strategic, scholarly and financial leadership of the school, bolstering the university’s identity as a research institution through its graduate student education and supporting the enhancement of graduate and professional programs to build excellence and support the professional development of our students.

Robert Ahdieh, Vice President for Professional Programs

Ahdieh serves in this position concurrently with his appointment as dean of the School of Law and the Anthony G. Buzbee Endowed Dean’s Chair. In his vice president for professional programs role, he works with the deans of the colleges and schools to identify new practice- and coursework-oriented degrees, certificates and other programs with growth potential to facilitate their timely establishment across the university and in new markets of students.  

Julie Mosbo Ballestro, University Librarian and Assistant Provost of University Libraries

Mosbo Ballestro is the university librarian and assistant provost and previously served as the interim dean of the University Libraries. The university librarian is responsible for directing programs and personnel and leading a wide range of library services, including special collections, student and academic engagement, organizational effectiveness and development, assessment and planning, information discovery and research support.

Dr. Holly Hudson, Associate Vice President for Global Engagement

Dr. Hudson serves as the associate vice president for Global Engagement. In this capacity, she provides leadership and oversight of the Global Engagement team working across the university to promote, support and ensure the execution of Texas A&M's global strategic plan.

Dr. Timothy C. Powers, Chief of Staff

Dr. Powers serves as chief of staff where he will continue to oversee the enterprise functions of the Office of the Provost and coordinate initiatives that support the provost in the operation of the office or university. New areas of responsibility are the Office of Continuing and Professional Education, the Office for Youth Engagement and Strategic Program Development.

Vacant Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management

This position will oversee and support the Office of Admissions, Recruitment, Scholarships and Financial Aid, Aggie One Stop, the Visitor Center and the Office of the Registrar. Responsibilities will include developing and implementing a strategic enrollment management plan for the university, including recruitment, retention and graduation of students at all levels of education. Dr. Tim Scott has agreed to serve in this role as interim while the national search, currently underway, is conducted.  

Other developments in our team related to the reorganizations are two new key positions: the associate provost for faculty advocacy and the assistant/associate provost for strategic academic partnerships.

As President Welsh mentioned in his January President’s Brief, rather than simply reinstating the previous dean of faculties role, the committee was charged with identifying the best ways to support faculty advocacy proposed that we create a new position. The associate provost for faculty advocacy will be embedded within Faculty Affairs and have a dotted-line reporting structure to the executive vice president and provost. That search will be launching soon.

The Associate or Assistant Provost for Strategic Educational Partnerships position is currently posted to recruit an exceptional leader to manage a collection of programs and initiatives with institutional affiliations leveraging a portfolio to create educational and economic opportunities. Our Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designation is one such initiative that will anchor this effort. This search is underway. 

Finally, we are currently in the process of restructuring each unit's website to reflect the reorganization.

Contact information for the Office of the Provost team is available online. I encourage you to reach out directly with any questions or for support. I look forward to working with you to advance this great university.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

I hope that you had a renewing break and wish you a wonderful 2024!

In President Welsh's State of the University address late last fall, he charged the Office of the Provost with leading an effort to develop an academic roadmap for the future. He also charged the Vice Presidents for Research and Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer with creating a plan to establish and elevate our research identity. These planning processes will need to have broad representation and opportunity for input from many perspectives and must be completed by the end of the academic year.

Academic Roadmap

I have asked Dr. Tim Scott, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, to lead the academic roadmap process. In partnership with colleges, schools and our remote campuses, this committee will create a comprehensive academic strategic plan focused on future innovations, trends, emerging opportunities and the needs of both our students and their prospective employers. Such a plan will inform college and school strategic plans as well as program development.

While it will be important to benchmark against our peers, we also need to examine our own practices, processes and constructs. I envision this planning discussion to consider disciplinary and curricular structures, competencies and credentials. We will also look at how we work across fields through interdisciplinary programs, and how we incorporate knowledge and skill demand across learning modalities and technologies — just to name a couple of possibilities. Students' learning needs are varied and evolve over the course of their academic careers so we need to make sure we are providing a valuable education in a desirable format.

All these discussions and eventual planning will include broad faculty involvement and engagement with stakeholders like students and employers. Dr. Scott will be assembling a core committee to help guide the process and there will be several opportunities for engagement and input along the way. 

Research Identity

Dr. Jack Baldauf, Vice President for Research, will work with Ethan Braden, Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, to lead the process of creating our research identity.  This process seeks to define who we are as a research institution, including what we stand for, what we desire to be known for, and why target audiences should care. It needs to consider our core values and comprehensive nature with a strong service mission, breadth of disciplines, geographic presence and heavy engagement with external partners. 

This project will not only define our areas of strength, but also seeks to better position those strengths and our identity in the minds of the public and decision makers at all levels.  We want people to know about the great things we are doing, from basic discoveries to their applications in improving lives around the corner and around the globe.  We want people to know how. 

Dr. Baldauf will be assembling a core committee to help guide the process and there will be several opportunities for engagement and input along the way. 

Our timeline from the President is to finish these processes by June 2024 and now that the semester is underway, look for activity soon.

As always, I am grateful for all you do for the university and look forward to working with you to shape the future of Texas A&M University.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

The provost will once again provide Open Education Resources (OER) grants for interested faculty to develop low or no cost course materials.

The application is short and very straightforward, for your convenience. 

Completed forms, including all signatures (collaborators, department heads, and deans) are due Feb. 16. Initial reviews will be complete by March 18. Any questions or clarifications will be addressed as soon as possible. Grant recipients should be announced in early April, in plenty of time to facilitate summer buyouts and/or course reductions.

OER deliverables are expected no later than the fall 2025 semester, if not earlier. Priority will be given for courses with high enrollments and/or high student savings. Multiple grants from the same department or college should be prioritized by the department head and/or dean.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Timothy P. Scott

Timothy P. Scott

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs