3.2.4: The governing board is free from undue influence from political, religious, or other external bodies, and protects the institution from such influence.  Narrative:   The University of Texas (UT) System Board of Regents is not only free from undue influence, but protects its institutions from said influence. Texas Education Code, Section 65.11, [1] states that the Governor, with Senate approval, appoints a nine-member Board of Regents. The nine board members: (a) come from various parts of the state, (b) are appointed for a staggered term of six years and (c) meet a minimum of six times a year. [2] The Board acts independently and is therefore free from undue influence from political, religious or external bodies. While Texas Education Code, Section 65.14, clearly states that the Board can be reimbursed for reasonable expenses for the discharge of their duties, Board members do not receive compensation for their services. [3]  According to Texas Education Code, Section 51.352, the Board of Regents is charged with the preservation of “institutional independence” and must protect the rights of each institution to carry out its own dealings through the individual institution’s chosen administrators and employees. In addition, the Board is charged with assisting each institution with goal development and role/mission achievement. [4] Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, [5] outlines guidelines for open meetings. The Board is subject to the Open Records Act, [6] and Board of Regents meeting minutes, dating back to 1881, are available for public review on the UT System Board of Regents website. [7]   The Board of Regents policies on Standards of Conduct (Series 30103) [8] and Conflict of Interest (Series 30104) [9] define the primary responsibility of the employee to the Institution and provide that external consulting or outside employment that interferes with that responsibility should not be accepted. The policies state employees must comply with state laws governing the conduct of state employees, including ethics standards and provisions prohibiting conflict of interest and use of state resources.  Employees may participate in political activities outside of work as long as various conditions are met, including not involving attempts to coerce students, faculty or staff to participate, not involving the UT System or its institutions in partisan politics and not involving use of UT System facilities, equipment, supplies or services.   Texas Government Code, Section 572.001, [10] clearly states 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. [11] Finally, in keeping with Series 20701, Use of Historically Underutilized Businesses, the establishment of business practices of the UT System such as procurement systems and procedures is required to be nondiscriminatory with respect to race, color, religion, sex or national origin. [9]  The table below represents the UT System Board of Regents Members, their primary business interest and the location of their residence.  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