2.2: The institution has a governing board of at least five members that is the legal body with specific authority over the institution. The board is an active policy-making body for the institution and is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the financial resources of the institution are adequate to provide a sound educational program. The board is not controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or interests separate from it. Neither the presiding officer of the board nor the majority of other voting members of the board have contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the institution.  A military institution authorized and operated by the federal government to award degrees has a public board in which neither the presiding officer nor a majority of the other members are civilian employees of the military or active/retired military. The board has broad and significant influence upon the institution’s programs and operations, plays an active role in policy-making, and ensures that the financial board is not controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or interests separate from the board except as specified by the authorizing legislation. Neither the presiding officer of the board nor the majority of other voting board members have contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the institution.  Narrative:  The Board of Regents of The University of Texas (UT) System is: (a) a nine-member Board, (b) fiscally responsible for the institutions’ resources and (c) not controlled by a minority of its members. Furthermore, Board members do not have contractual, employment, personal or financials interests in the institution. Texas Education Code, Sections 65.11 and 65.31, The UT System Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents, Series 30104 and Texas Government Code 572.001 outline composition, rules and regulations for Board members.   Texas Education Code, Section 65.11, designates the Board of Regents as the governing body of the UT System. Under this section, the Board is to name, organize and govern the institutions and entities in The University of Texas System in such a way as will “achieve the maximum operating efficiency of such institutions and entities…” [1] Board authority is outlined in The UT System Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents, Series 10101. [2]  Texas Education Code, Section 65.31, states that the Board is authorized to: (a) “govern, operate, support, and maintain each of the component institutions that are now or may hereafter be included in a part of The University of Texas System, (b) prescribe for each of the component institutions courses and programs leading to such degrees as are customarily offered in outstanding American universities, and to award all such degrees, (c) promulgate and enforce such other rules and regulations for the operation, control, and management of the university system and the component institutions thereof as the Board may deem either necessary or desirable, (d) make joint appointments in the component institutions under its governance, (e) administer gifts, grants, or donations of any kind, from any source, for use by the system or any of the component institutions of the system and (f) delegate a power or duty of the Board to a committee, officer, employee, or other agent of the Board.” [3]  Regarding conflicts of interest, The UT System Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents, Series 30104 [4] and Texas Government Code 572.001 [5] clearly state that it is against the law for state officers/employees to have a direct/indirect interest that conflicts with an officer’s/employee’s public interest responsibilities. Furthermore, officers/employees must provide written disclosures, when requested, to state/federal authorities and must adhere to all laws, rules, regulations and policies regarding standards of conduct. Failure to follow said guidelines could result in disciplinary action and/or termination of employment. Board members are also required to abide by The UT System Ethics Standards. [6] Series 20501 outlines guidelines for accounting, operating budget and legislative appropriation requests. [7]  The Board regularly holds meetings in February, May, July, August, November and December. Meeting minutes, dating back to 1881, are available for public purview on the UT System’s website. [8] Board meeting minutes indicate that the Board’s agenda is fitting of their responsibilities and that the Board focuses on issues of institutional policy, mission and financial practicality.   The table below represents the UT System Board of Regents Members, their primary business interest and the location of their residence. The Board is not controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or interests separate from it.  Board Member Business Interest Residence Location Robert A. Estrada Estrada, Hinojosa & Company, Inc. Fort Worth Rita C. Clements Former Director, Bank and Bank One, La Quinta Motor Inns and the Dr. Pepper Company Dallas Judith L. Craven Former President, United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast Houston Cyndi Taylor Krier VP Texas Government Relations, USAA San Antonio John W. Barnhill, Jr. Retired Executive VP, Blue Bell Creameries Brenham H. Scott Craven, Jr. Managing Director & Regional Manager, Texas Atlantic Trust Company, NA Houston James R. Huffines Chairman, Plains Capital Bank Austin Robert B. Rowling Owner & Chairman, TRT Holding Inc. Dallas Colleen McHugh Attorney Corpus Christi