2026 Provost Office Email Communications

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Presidential Seminar Invitation - Dr. Rhonda Balzarini

Presidential Seminar (2025)

Dr. Rhonda Balzarini, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology

Monday, May 4, 2026

Flowers Hall 230

Presentation and Reception: 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Title: Love That Lasts: What Sustains Desire and Intimacy in Times of Stress.

This talk examines how partner responsiveness, stress, and self-expansion shape relationship and sexual well-being. Using longitudinal and dyadic data, Dr. Balzarini will show that responsive partners can buffer the effects of external stressors, while internal distress, such as depressive symptoms, may more strongly undermine sexual desire. Building on this, Dr. Balzarini will demonstrate that engaging in novel, self-expanding experiences helps reduce relational boredom and promote satisfaction and desire over time. Dr. Balzarini then considers how these processes operate in high-risk populations and how broader societal shifts may influence relationships, particularly in times of stress. Overall, this work highlights that relationships thrive not simply through time together but through ongoing engagement, responsiveness, and shared growth.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Angela Ausbrooks

                                    Dean, College of Applied Arts

SUBJECT:                   Kirsta Melton - prosecutor, national human trafficking expert, and School of Criminal Justice & Criminology instructor - presents: “The Hard Truth About Trafficking"

Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Sean Combs, Andrew Tate. Their stories fill our feeds and the queues on our streaming services. It’s fascinating but safe, because we don’t think it happens here or has anything to do with us. It’s time to pull back the curtain and take an honest look at the factors driving sex and labor trafficking in Hays County and nation-wide. Explore how traffickers have surreptitiously woven themselves into every aspect of our lives...our purchases, entertainment, work, even our identity, self-worth and how we value one another. Bring your questions and your lived experience. It’s time for a candid conversation about human trafficking, the danger it presents, how to recognize and do something about it where you live, work and learn.  
 

Kirsta Leeburg Melton is the Founder and CEO of Institute to Combat Trafficking, an organization dedicated to seeking justice for victims of trafficking and holding traffickers accountable. From 2015-2019, Melton served as the Chief of the Human Trafficking Section of the Office of the Texas Attorney General, and from 2000-2014, prosecuted traffickers, child abusers, rapists, and perpetrators of family violence. Melton is responsible for several of the State’s first life sentences for trafficking and served as the lead prosecutor for the State of Texas in the takedown of Backpage.com. She has trained more than 30,000 people in person on human trafficking and been featured in multiple training films utilized nationwide. Over the past decade Melton played a critical role in the restructuring of Texas trafficking law and procedure and has been privileged to craft and lead incredible teams committed to seeking and demanding justice for victims and promoting cultural change. Her book, Human Trafficking Investigation: A Practitioner’s Guide to Making the Case, is available on Amazon and Routledge.com.

Wednesday | April 22^nd | 7:00 p.m.

Alkek Library Teaching Theater, Room 250

Please contact the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology at (512) 245-2174 if you have any questions or have a disability and need an accommodation to attend.

This event is sponsored by the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology. 

Dear Campus Community, 

I am pleased to share that Alkek Library will be open 24 hours a day from April 29 through May 13, 2026, to support students during finals prep and final exams. This two-week period of continuous access will serve as a pilot to help us better understand student library use during the final weeks of the semester and provide responsive services.   

The Student Government advocated for a pilot program based on feedback from a recent student survey. I am grateful for their partnership and for their attention to student needs. I am also grateful to the University Library for developing and implementing the plan to support this pilot.   

I want to emphasize that 24-hour library access is not an endorsement for students to study around the clock or stay awake for 24-hour periods. The goal of this pilot is to provide access to students who might not be able to visit the library during the day or who need a few hours of studying or group work outside of normal library hours.  

Students, remember that sleep is crucial for your ability to learn, study, and transfer what you’ve learned into long-term memory. Please know that the entire campus is cheering you on as you prepare for final exams. We know you can do it, and we’re here to support you.  

Sincerely,  

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

Dear Colleagues, 

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Elizabeth Hartwig as the Interim Dean of the College of Education, effective July 1, 2026.  

Dr. Elizabeth Kjellstrand (“Chell-strand”) Hartwig, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S™, holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Texas, a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University, and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from St. Mary’s University. She joined Texas State as an Assistant Professor in the Professional Counseling program in 2012. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and Professor in 2024. Prior to coming to Texas State University, she worked at Communities In Schools of San Antonio (CIS-SA), a school-based dropout prevention program, for 13 years. At CIS-SA she secured a $1.9 million 21^st Century Community Learning Center Grant through the Texas Education Agency.   

Dr. Hartwig has served as Department Chair of the Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology (CLAS) Department since 2024. In the Professional Counseling Program she taught play therapy, animal-assisted counseling, and clinical courses. She specializes in strength-based approaches for working with children and families. Dr. Hartwig is the sole author of the book Solution-Focused Play Therapy: A Strengths-Based Clinical Approach to Play Therapy (2021), co-author of the book Canine-Assisted Interventions: A Comprehensive Guide to Credentialing Therapy Dog Teams (2020), and editor of the book Animal-Assisted School Counseling (2024). In addition to books, she has produced 22 peer-reviewed articles and 7 book chapters. She is also the founder and director of the Texas State University Animal-Assisted Counseling Academy, a professional training program that promotes the human-animal bond through the study and practice of AAC. She currently serves on the Association for Play Therapy Board of Directors and is a Past President of the Texas Association for Play Therapy. Dr. Hartwig is a recipient of the Nancy Guillory Award for Outstanding Service in Play Therapy by the Texas Association for Play Therapy and has received several Presidential Distinction and College Achievement awards from the College of Education. 

I appreciate the continued leadership of Dean O’Malley who will be transitioning to his next role as the dean of the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University after eighteen years of service at Texas State University. The College of Education is the leading producer of Texas teachers and a critical thought leader on education in the state. This success is due in no small part to the hard work, collaboration and vision of Dean O’Malley and his team.  

Please join me in thanking Dean O’Malley for his service and congratulating Dr. Hartwig on her appointment as Interim Dean of the College of Education.  

Sincerely,  

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

TO:                             Faculty and Staff in the Division of Academic Affairs

FROM:                       Dr. Jorge F. Figueroa Flores

Vice Provost for Academic Innovation

SUBJECT:                   Outcomes Assessment Workshops

As the spring semester draws to a close, it's a great opportunity to reflect on the outcomes of our assessment activities. Our assessment reports will be shared with SACSCOC as part of Texas State University's 5^th Year Interim report to our accrediting body. Because of this, it’s important that we accurately record our assessment findings and show how we've used this information to make positive improvements to our curriculum and teaching approaches.  

To assist with this process, Dr. Lon Olson, Assistant Vice Provost for Program Accreditation and Assessment, will offer assessment reporting workshops for educational programs and general education outcomes on April 14th, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., and for academic and student services outcomes on April 15th, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. The workshops will focus on documenting the results of the past year’s assessment activities, highlighting evidence of improvement, and detailing action plans to improve student learning outcomes for the upcoming academic year.  

The workshops will be offered through the Faculty Focus series via Zoom and in collaboration with the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship: a sign-up link is provided below. I encourage everyone involved in outcomes assessment to attend these workshops to enhance the quality of our institutions’ assessment reporting.  

Educational Programs and General Education on April 14 at 10 AM: Sign Up Here!

Academic and Student Services on April 15 at 10 AM: Sign Up Here!

Dear Colleagues, 

As we near the end of Dr. Heather Galloway’s final semester as Honors College Dean, I ask that you join me in congratulating her for 20 years of exceptional leadership and service to the Honors College. Dr. Galloway has elected to step down from her role and return to her faculty position in the Department of Physics once the incoming Honors College Dean is on board.  

Her service to the Honors College began with appointments as associate director in 2005 and interim director in 2006 before being appointed director of the University Honors Program in 2007. In 2012, Texas State established an Honors College, and Dr. Galloway was named the inaugural dean. Under her leadership, the number of participating students grew significantly, alongside major expansions in course offerings, programming, and engagement. One of her first initiatives in the newly founded Honors College was overseeing the move to Lampasas Hall where the Honors College Coffee Forum helps support experimental programming and informal gatherings as well as housing an art gallery.  

One of Dr. Galloway’s enduring contributions is her commitment to undergraduate research. She established the university’s first campus-wide Undergraduate Research Conference and helped launch the Undergraduate Research Fund, providing a single, accessible application for student research support. She also supported the creation of the undergraduate research journal now known as TXSTUR, which recently expanded to include a journal of humanistic inquiry. The Honors College now includes the IDEA Center, which broadens undergraduate research involvement as part of Texas State’s Quality Enhancement Plan. These initiatives are open to all undergraduates.  

Dr. Galloway has also championed the development of national partnerships for the Honors College which have resulted in public recognition for innovation and rigor. She has supported the academic programming for Terry Scholars on our campus. Dr. Galloway also oversaw the creation of the Stelos Scholars program, a cohort-based initiative combining academic, professional, and community-focused experiences. Her leadership helped the college earn recognition for sustainability practices and innovative student engagement during the COVID19 pandemic. This year, the Stelos Scholars work was recognized statewide with a Best Downtown Partner award.   

Dr. Galloway has worked hard to ensure that Texas State students receive appropriate recognition for their outstanding academic achievements. Alongside co-chair Dr. Catherine Jaffe, Dr. Galloway established Texas State’s first chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi in 2013. Together, they also led the successful effort to secure a Phi Beta Kappa chapter, the Nu Chapter, awarded in 2025. As only about 10% of universities nationwide host a Phi Beta Kappa chapter, this recognition is an important academic milestone for Texas State and an important legacy of Dr. Galloway's leadership. 

Dr. Galloway continued teaching throughout her deanship, contributing to US 1100, the honors capstone, honors sections of mechanics, and a core-curriculum course she created on energy, science, and society. From 2011 to 2018, she collaborated on World Bank–funded curriculum projects and led education abroad experiences for Texas State students in Cambodia. She also provided extensive service to the American Physical Society, including multiple terms in leadership roles at both state and national levels. In 2017, she received the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Section of the American Physical Society. 

From 2019–2025, she also served as Principal Investigator for a $2.5 million NSF IUSE HSI grant, which established the STEM Communities Learning Assistant program. This initiative expanded learning assistants from physics into biology and chemistry, and its support team now reaches more than 10% of all Texas State undergraduates enrolled in introductory STEM courses.  

Before serving as the Dean of the Honors College, Dr. Galloway joined the Department of Physics in January 1996 as an Assistant Professor and became the first woman in the department to earn tenure and promotion to full professor. As a physics professor, she was PI or co-PI with $1.3 million in external funding towards research in solid-state physics and career-focused opportunities for STEM students.  

I am deeply grateful for Dr. Galloway’s energetic and principled service to Texas State University. Her leadership has shaped the Honors College into a thriving academic community that nurtures the growth of our faculty and students. Please help me congratulate Dr. Galloway on these achievements and welcome her continued contributions as a faculty member in the Department of Physics. 

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Parking and Traffic Plan for Spring 2026 Commencement

Texas State University is pleased to honor over 4,800 candidates in 8 commencement ceremonies to be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 14, 15, and 16, 2026. The ceremonies will be held in Strahan Arena at the University Events Center (UEC) on our San Marcos Campus. As graduates, families, and the university community prepare to celebrate, please note the following announcements and recommendations.

Parking at Commencement

Parking is available for all attendees as indicated on the Commencement Parking Map.

Recommended parking for faculty and staff, with shuttle services, include:

• Lots A and B, located by UFCU Stadium, will have shuttle bus service.
• Lot C, located adjacent to the UEC, is restricted to those with Limited Mobility. Golf cart shuttles will be available to assist individuals in this lot. This lot should be accessed from Charles Austin Drive via Hopkins Street.

Recommended park and walk lots for faculty and staff include:

• Lot D, across the street from the UEC.
• Garage F, at the corner of Edward Gary Street and University Drive.
• Garage H, at the corner of Pleasant Street and LBJ Drive.

All lots and garages listed above are free to those attending commencement.

Please be aware that if you are traveling southbound on IH35 and exit Aquarena Springs Drive you are advised to turn left on to Thorpe Lane and right on to Robbie Lane in order to access Lots A and B. Traffic inbound to campus on Aquarena Springs Drive will not be able to make a left turn into Commencement Parking Lot D.

Information on faculty parking, parking maps, the faculty processional, and other details can be found on the commencement website. 

Special Instructions

Faculty and staff who attend commencement should adhere to the Clear Bag Policy and also see the prohibited and allowable items list for more information. 

To alleviate the traffic, wait time, and congestion that is anticipated between the conclusion of the 2:00 p.m. ceremony and the start of the 6:00 p.m. ceremony, the following procedures are in place for employees:

Early Release – Thursday and Friday, May 14 and 15, 2026

To ease traffic congestion, supervisors may elect to release selected staff at 3:00 p.m.  However, all university offices must remain open until 5:00 p.m. or the normal closing time.  Staff members who leave early are expected to use vacation, compensatory, or flex time arrangements approved by supervisors.

Vehicles in the JCK Area

The rear gate at the back of the JCK parking lot will be barricaded from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Vehicles that normally exit on to Sessom Drive will be directed back to the one-way service drive and should exit the back parking lot going the wrong way towards Woods Street or Moon Street.  No vehicles will be allowed to access the back parking area starting at 3:00 p.m.  A parking guard will be stationed at the service drive at the front parking lot to restrict vehicles from entering the back parking lot.
Vehicles in Other Campus Areas

It is highly recommended that vehicles avoid the Sessom Street, Aquarena Springs Drive/Loop 82, and University Drive roadways between the ceremonies.  Every effort should be made to exit the campus and San Marcos using Edward Gary Street, Guadalupe Street, Hopkins Street/Hunter Road, and other routes heading away from the UEC.

Thank you for your cooperation during this momentous time in our graduates’ lives.

Faculty or staff requiring accommodations due to a disability should contact commencement@txstate.edu at least one week prior to the event.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. John Fleming

                                    Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

SUBJECT:                   “What’s Your Postdigital Positionality?” Interactive Lecture, Documentary Screening, and Art Contest Launch – April 14, 2026

The College of Fine Arts and Communication invites you to What’s Your Postdigital Positionality?, an interactive lecture, documentary screening, and community conversation featuring internationally recognized scholar Dr. Sarah Hayes from Bath Spa University (UK). The event will take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom.

As artificial intelligence and digital technologies rapidly reshape how we learn, work, and communicate, many people are asking a fundamental question: what is our stance toward this new digital reality? This event invites the Texas State University community to explore that question together through dialogue, media, and creative expression.

Dr. Hayes is a leading scholar in postdigital research whose work examines how human identity, ethics, and culture are evolving in a world increasingly shaped by data and AI. During her visit to Texas State, she will join faculty and students in a conversation about how individuals and communities can reflect critically on their relationship with digital technologies.

The program includes a short documentary filmed between Italy and Central Texas, featuring artists, entrepreneurs, and scholars reflecting on how digital systems are influencing creativity, learning, and everyday life. The screening will be followed by small-group discussions and interactive activities designed to help participants consider their own “postdigital positionality.” The event will also mark the launch of an international student art contest organized in collaboration with the University of Padova (Italy) and the ETH-TECH research project, led by Dr. Juliana Raffaghelli. Students are invited to submit works that explore their relationship with digital technology using either traditional artistic methods or digital/AI-assisted approaches, encouraging reflection on how creativity itself is changing in the age of artificial intelligence.

Event Highlights:

• Documentary screening featuring voices from Texas and Italy
• Interactive lecture and discussion with Dr. Sarah Hayes
• Launch of an international student art contest in collaboration with the University of Padova and the ETH-TECH project
• Small-group dialogue exploring AI, digital identity, and postdigital life

This event is presented as part of the Education Is Boring series, a transnational Europe–US initiative that highlights creative approaches to learning and public dialogue. It is sponsored by the Department of World Languages and Literatures, with support from the College of Fine Arts and Communication, the Graduate Student Organization of the Ph.D. program in Adult, Professional, and Community Education, and the Office of Education Abroad, along with partners at the University of Padova.

Event Details

Date:                          Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time:                          12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Location:                  LBJ Student Center Ballroom
Registration:            Free and open to the public; no RSVP required

For questions, please contact Cheri Hatcher via email at chatcher@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Andrea Golato

                                    Dean, The Graduate College

SUBJECT:                   2026 Graduate Student Research Conference

The Graduate College at Texas State University is hosting the 17^th Annual Graduate Student Research Conference (GSRC) at the San Marcos Campus on April 9, 2026, from 4 – 6 p.m. in the LBJ Grand Ballroom in the LBJ Student Center. 

Over 100 graduate students from various disciplines at Texas State and other institutions in Texas will be presenting their research or projects in the form of a poster session.

The conference is free and open for all Texas State faculty, staff, and students, including undergraduate students. Visit the conference webpage to see details on how to register for both conferences. 

Conference Details

Attendees are encouraged to engage with presenters. Bring your phones: Attendees can provide feedback via a QR code. Join us for networking and enjoy some snacks while learning about innovative graduate student research.

Please visit the Graduate Student Research Conference for further details about the GSRC.

If you require accommodations due to a disability in order to participate, please contact (512) 245-3451 or ods@txstate.edu at least 72 hours in advance of the event. 

The Graduate College thanks the following sponsors: Office of the Provost, Division of Research, all college deans, and the IDEA Center. For questions about the event, please contact Associate Dean Patti Giuffre at pg07@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff 

FROM:                       Dr. Sanjay Ramchander

                                   Dean, McCoy College of Business

                                   Chair, Dean of the Honors College Search Committee

SUBJECT:                  Upcoming Finalist Presentations – Dean of the Honors College

Texas State University is pleased to announce that four finalists have been selected for on-campus interviews for the position of Dean of the Honors College. Faculty, staff and students are warmly invited to attend the public presentations, which will also be available via Zoom. We especially encourage in-person attendance, as it provides the richest opportunity for engagement with each finalist. 

Each finalist will deliver a presentation followed by an open question-and-answer session. Finalists have been asked to share their vision for leading the Honors College and IDEA Center as an integrated driver of Texas State’s academic mission — with a focus on advancing academic excellence and expanding access as mutually reinforcing goals. We welcome questions that engage with these themes and encourage broad participation from across the university community. 

All Finalist Public Presentations will be held in the JCK 11^th Floor Ballroom as follows:

1. Dr. Chris Kukk | Wednesday, April 1 | 3:00–4:00 p.m., or join via Zoom
2. Dr. Diana Polley | Thursday, April 2 | 3:00–4:00 p.m., or join via Zoom
3. Dr. Kathy Cooke | Monday, April 6 | 2:30–3:30 p.m., or join via Zoom
4. Dr. Jessica Hower | Wednesday, April 8 | 3:00–4:00 p.m., or join via Zoom 

Candidate application material can be located on the candidates’ secure website.

Following each presentation, feedback will be requested via an online survey. Your input is valued and will be an important consideration as the search committee prepares its final recommendation to Provost Aswath. 

The search committee and I look forward to your participation in this important process.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Mary Brennan

                                    Dean, College of Liberal Arts

SUBJECT:                   Night of Ideas: Enlightenment Now! — Ideas and Stories to Make Impact

Join us on Friday, March 27, 2026, for Night of Ideas: Enlightenment Now! — Ideas and Stories to Make Impact, co-organized with the Embassy of France. It's a night of stories, music, film screenings, art, big ideas, dialogues, and interactive workshops.

Beginning at 6:00 PM in Taylor-Murphy Hall at Texas State University, the evening brings together more than 100 speakers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, and students from Texas and around the world for opera and rock performances, photography workshops, the history of the Enlightenment, horror and genre films, the war in Ukraine, how to use digital tools in humanities research, and so much more.

Featured guests include Emmy-winning filmmaker Karen Gaytán (TXST alum), Grammy-winning vocalist Mela Dailey (TXST alum), Guggenheim Fellow and photographer George Krause, as well as musical performances by actor and singer-songwriter Tristan Lake Leabu and Elle Bramhall (Warner Music). 

Italian group Segni Mossi will perform and also invite TXST participants to an extended workshop exploring the relationship between drawing and movement through playful, hands-on activities that demonstrate how art and movement can foster creativity, collaboration, and social-emotional learning.

Free and open to the public, but space is limited.

Check out the full line-up and RSVP

Contact Dr. Louie Dean Valencia (LValencia@txstate.edu) with any questions.

TO:                             Faculty

                                    Staff in the Division of Academic Affairs

FROM:                       Dr. Jorge Figueroa

                                    Vice Provost for Academic Innovation

SUBJECT:                   Course Review

The course calendar for the Course Information Management (CIM) system provides an opportunity for faculty across campus to review the course proposals from all academic units.  The faculty review period for this cycle ends on March 30, 2026. 

At this time, all faculty and Academic Affairs staff are invited to review the proposed course additions, changes, and deletions that are located in the CIM system.  For the current cycle, there are 144 additions and 11 deletions.  Faculty and staff who are interested in more details about the course proposals can visit the CIM system. 

Per Academic Affairs PPS 02.01.01, “faculty who have comments or concerns regarding any course addition, change, or deletion should submit those comments or concerns in writing to their department chair or school director who will be responsible to confer with the originating department chair or school director.” 

Should you need additional information, please contact the Office of Curriculum and Academic Programs at curriculum@txstate.edu.

Dear Colleagues, 

International travel is necessary for many roles at the university and is fundamental to research in a variety of fields. However, as a public institution, travel to foreign countries must comply with university policy and state and federal law.  

Travel CANNOT be reimbursed when: 

• Travelers fail to submit travel request approvals 10 business days (two calendar weeks) prior to departure.  
• Travelers fail to complete all required forms.  

Requests that arrive during or after travel are increasingly common and will no longer be approved for reimbursement.  

Up to date information about requirements for foreign travel is available on Texas State’s Travel Office website. For foreign travel, all university employees must: 

1. Complete a travel request in Concur; non-employees must complete a travel application. 

2. Complete and attach the applicable Release of Liability and Assumption of complete and attach the applicable Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk for Foreign Travel form (T-4, T-4G, or T-4M) for university-sanctioned foreign trips, located on the Forms webpage. 

3. Review the information listed under the International Travel tab on the Office of Research & Sponsored Program's Export Control webpage. 

4. Submit the travel request or application for approvals ten (10) business days (two calendar weeks) prior to departure. Approvals include the account manager, academic chair (if applicable), academic dean (if applicable), division Cabinet Officer, the President (if applicable), and the Office of Risk and Compliance. 

1. The ten business days/two calendar weeks requirement is the minimum time needed for approval. It is likely that travelers plan international travel much earlier. Fill out your required forms and begin seeking approval as soon as you begin to plan your travel and do not wait until after you have booked your travel or until the ten-day minimum to seek approval.  

5. Foreign travel has some additional restrictions and requirements in certain situations based on the DoS travel advisory level for the country: 

1. The travel advisory level is determined by the DoS, as listed on U.S. Travel Advisories, and should be determined before proceeding with the travel request.
2. Student travel is not allowed to a country with a travel advisory of Level 3 or Level 4.
3. Travel to a country with a Level 3 travel advisory requires Form T-4E to be attached to the travel request, in addition to the required T4.
4. No travel is allowed to any country designated as a Level 4 travel advisory by the US State Department.   

In accordance with Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order 48, Texas State employees are prohibited from traveling to countries on university business designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce as “foreign adversaries” including China (including Hong Kong), North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and Russia. Such travel is a violation of state law.  

To reiterate, travel requests that do not meet these criteria will not be approved, and any expenses incurred will not be reimbursed.   

The purpose of these policies and laws is to ensure the safety of everyone who travels on behalf of the university, which requires meaningful engagement and sufficient notice from the traveler.  

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Coffee with the EVPs

The executive vice presidents (EVPs), Provost Dr. Pranesh Aswath and Chief Financial Officer Mr. Eric Algoe are pleased to invite you to Coffee with the EVPs.

This event offers faculty and staff the opportunity to share questions, comments, and concerns with the EVPs in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Join the conversation and learn more about what’s happening at Texas State. 

Coffee with the EVPs will be held at the San Marcos Campus on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m., in the Staff Meeting Room in Jones Dining Center. 

You must register to attend this event by using the Coffee with the EVPs RSVP Form and are encouraged to submit your questions. 

Space is limited, so RSVP online, and do not forget to add “What’s on your mind.”

Kind Regards, 

The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

provost@txstate.edu 

512.245.2205

The Office of the Executive Vice President for Operations and Chief Financial Officer

fss@txstate.edu

512.245.2244

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Andrew Hamilton

                                    Vice Provost for Academic Success

SUBJECT:                   Invitation to Teach US 1100 and Connect with the Class of 2030

We are currently recruiting faculty and staff to teach US 1100 and invite you to be part of an exciting new direction for the course.

US 1100 is evolving into a more intentional first-year experience designed to help students build a strong foundation for academic success at Texas State. The course emphasizes academic citizenship, proactive engagement with academic advising, thoughtful use of university resources, and early planning for life after graduation. Just as importantly, the course helps students transition into their academic home - building early connections to their major, college, and the broader intellectual community of the university.

Teaching US 1100 offers a unique opportunity to connect directly with our incoming class of 2030 and play an early role in shaping their academic mindset, sense of belonging, and commitment to their goals. We especially welcome faculty from across all colleges and disciplines, as bringing a range of faculty voices helps students see the many academic pathways available to them and strengthens their connections to the campus community.

Teaching US 1100 is a rewarding experience - engaging with students at the very beginning of their college journey and helping them see how their interests, values, and academic choices connect to future possibilities.

If you are interested in teaching US 1100, please complete the application. The priority deadline is March 25. Additional compensation is available for those who teach the course in addition to their normal duties.  

Thank you for considering this opportunity to support and inspire our newest Bobcats. Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Gabriel Bermea, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Advising and Transitions, at umv24@txstate.edu if you have any questions about the course or the teaching experience.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Sanjay Ramchander

                                    Dean, McCoy College of Business

                                    Chair, Dean of the Honors College Search Committee

SUBJECT:                   Upcoming Finalist Presentations – Dean of the Honors College

Following a national search, we are excited to announce that the Dean of the Honors College search has advanced to the finalist stage. Four outstanding candidates have been selected for campus visits, and each will deliver a public presentation open to the full university community. 

This is a significant hire for Texas State University. The next Dean will provide integrated leadership for both the Honors College and the IDEA Center — two units that are central to our university's commitment to academic excellence, student achievement, and our continued progress toward R1 research classification. The finalists bring deep experience in honors education, research leadership, and student success, and we are proud to introduce them to our campus community.

The four presentations are scheduled as follows: 

• Wednesday, April 1 | 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• Thursday, April 2 | 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• Monday, April 6 | 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 8 | 3:00-4:00 p.m. 

We encourage you to hold these times on your calendar now. All presentations will be held in-person in the JCK 11^th floor Ballroom with an option to participate online. Prior to the presentations, you will receive an announcement with a link to the candidate's name, CV, application materials, and presentation prompt, along with the on-campus location and Zoom link. After the presentations conclude, a brief feedback survey will be sent to participants.

We strongly encourage in-person attendance. This is an important moment for our university, and broad participation from across the campus community makes a difference.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Barrett Bryant

                                    Dean, College of Science and Engineering

SUBJECT:                    Join Us for Community Day, 60th Anniversary Celebration

As part of the College of Science and Engineering’s 60th Anniversary Celebration week, we invite you and your families to join us for Community Day on Saturday, March 28, 2026. 

The STEM Quad, located on the western side of the Texas State San Marcos Campus, has emerged as a nexus of scientific and engineering education and research. In honor of this 60-year milestone, the college will host a full day of STEM exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for community members of all ages across the San Marcos and surrounding Central Texas region. 

Programming throughout the day will include live physics demonstrations, robotics showcases, research spotlight talks, laboratory tours, engineering design activities, wildlife exhibits, chemistry demonstrations, and an evening observatory experience hosted by physics faculty and students. All events are free and open to the public. 

Saturday, March 28, 2026

STEM Quad, Texas State University San Marcos Campus

Free and open to the public

We encourage you to bring your families, friends, and guests to experience the remarkable work taking place across our seven departments and the Ingram School of Engineering. 

Parking and Check In 

Faculty and staff can park in designated lots specific to their parking passes. Guests may park in the LBJ Parking Garage. Parking will be validated at event check-in. Check-in will be available on the first and third floors of Ingram Hall from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Full schedule of activities

We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you and the broader community.

Dear Colleagues, 

Our fifth strategic hiring and research town hall area is “Aging and Dementia” in the fullest sense. We hope that Texas State community members whose work addresses any aspect of aging and dementia in any field using any methods will join us for this conversation. 

Topic: Aging and Dementia

Date: April 9, 2026

Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Location: JCK Ballroom, 11^th Floor

At each town hall, we will discuss our current core strengths and opportunity areas for recruiting nationally known scholars. We will also facilitate opportunities for collaboration on cross-disciplinary research proposals for funding from the Office of Research in each strategic area. 

To attend, please register by April 6th and save the event to your calendar on the registration page. We will not send a separate calendar invitation, and we will only be able to accommodate those who have registered. Because our conversation may include strategies around future research initiatives and hiring, we will not be able to record the town hall or provide remote access. 

We are already an R1 university in all but name due to the outstanding work of our faculty. As we embark on this strategic hiring initiative, the active engagement of faculty members is crucial. I look forward to discussing implementation with you at our upcoming town hall on aging and dementia and over the course of the coming year.  

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

Timing of Future Town Halls 

• April: Round Rock Campus, multi-topic 

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Angela Ausbrooks

                                    Dean, College of Applied Arts

SUBJECT:                   The School of Criminal Justice & Criminology Presents: “The Austin Yogurt Shop Murders: A Cold Case Investigation”

The School of Criminal Justice and Criminology is proud to present: "The Austin Yogurt Shop Murders: A Cold Case Investigation" on Wednesday, March 11^th at 7:00 p.m., in the Alkek Library Teaching Theater, Room 250.  

In December 1991, four teenage girls working at a strip-mall yogurt shop were shot and killed. The murders became Austin’s most infamous cold case, involving multiple suspects, wrongful convictions, and conspiracy theories. The case remained unsolved for over a third of a century; then, in 2025, an APD cold case detective identified the offender – a serial killer responsible for eight murders across the Southeast. 

This presentation will discuss the crimes, the police investigation, false confessions, investigative failures, and forensic advancements. The main speaker will be Detective Dan Jackson (Austin Police Department Cold Case Unit, Texas State University alumnus).  Professors Pete Blair (School of Criminal Justice, ALERRT) and Kim Rossmo (School of Criminal Justice, Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Investigation) were involved in aspects of the case and will co-present.

Dear Colleagues,

Texas State University is seeking to hire two new faculty members to teach in the area of Digital Humanities. We define Digital Humanities broadly as both the use of digital technologies to complement, intersect with, and expand the understanding of, the Humanities as well as focusing a humanistic lens on the methods and results of emerging sciences and technologies.

Four finalists have been scheduled for on-campus interviews.  You are invited to attend the public presentation of each candidate.  The topic will be “The Value of Digital Humanities for the Texas State University Community”. 

The four public presentations will be:

1. Dr. Dipto Das on Friday, March 6 from 11:00-12:00 in Flowers Hall room 230 or join via Teams
2. Dr. Claudia Carroll on Monday, March 9 from 11:00-12:00 in Flowers Hall room 230 or join via Teams
3. Dr. Emma Wilson on Tuesday, March 10 from 11:00-12:00 in Flowers Hall room 230 or join via Teams
4. Dr. Matthew Jockers on Thursday, March 12 from 11:00-12:00 in LBJSC room 316 or join via Teams

The search committee and I hope that you will be able to attend these presentations in person.  

Feedback will be requested via an online form from those who are able to attend and will be an important consideration for the search committee when preparing its final assessment. 

Sincerely,

Mary Brennan and Barrett Bryant

Search committee co-chairs

Dear Colleagues, 

I am proud to welcome Marise McDermott as the new Executive Director of The Wittliff Collections. She began her role on Monday, March 2^nd and brings an extraordinary record of cultural leadership, strategic vision, and deep devotion to the literary, photographic, musical, and cinematic heritage of Texas, the Southwest, and Mexico.  

McDermott joins The Wittliff Collections following a celebrated twenty‑year tenure as President & CEO of the Witte Museum, where she led a remarkable $120 million transformation that expanded galleries, archives, and research centers and helped spark a thriving cultural renaissance along San Antonio’s Broadway Cultural Corridor. Under her leadership, millions of visitors engaged with state-of-the-art exhibitions, multidisciplinary programming, and immersive experiences rooted in the stories of land, sky, water, and the deep history of Texas. Beyond the Witte, she has shaped national museum standards as Chair of the Accreditation Commission of the American Alliance of Museums.  

Her experience includes a blend of scholarship, storytelling, fundraising excellence, and community building. McDermott has directed major capital campaigns, raised transformative philanthropic support, published and overseen numerous award-winning books, and advanced public humanities through decades of exhibitions, symposia, and cultural collaborations. She has also secured competitive federal grants through the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, demonstrating her longstanding effectiveness in expanding access to collections and cultural knowledge.  

McDermott also has a profound personal connection to the mission of The Wittliff Collections. As a writer, editor, and humanities leader, she has spent her career championing the very voices housed within our archives. Her own graduate study at Texas State University, where she earned an MFA in Writing, deepened her passion for the cultural narratives of the Southwest and Mexico. McDermott’s connection to Texas State has remained strong throughout her career, and in 2016, McDermott was chosen as Texas State University’s Liberal Arts Alumni of the year.  

As Executive Director, McDermott will guide The Wittliff Collections into an exciting era of growth by expanding access to the archives, elevating the collection’s national profile, and leading the capital campaign and public programming that will shape its future. Please join me in welcoming Marise McDermott back to Texas State and this exciting chapter for The Wittliff Collections.  

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Ms. Quinn Valentine

            Director, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

McCoy College of Business

SUBJECT:                   Bobcat Innovation Challenge – Entry-Level Tech Pitch Competition

Have a tech idea? That’s all you need.

The Bobcat Innovation Challenge is a beginner-friendly, tech-focused pitch competition designed for students, faculty, staff, and the community at the very start of their entrepreneurial journey. Whether your idea involves software, apps, AI, engineering solutions, digital platforms, or emerging technologies, we are here to help you move it forward. This challenge runs from March 10 to April 11, with structured mentorship, hands-on workshops, and practical coaching throughout the month, working with your schedule. Participants transform early concepts into clearer opportunities with defined customers, viable revenue models, and a strong, confident pitch. You do not need a prototype, revenue, or a team to apply. You only need a tech-driven idea. 

No prior startup experience required. We teach you everything you need to compete.

Sign up here: Bobcat Innovation Challenge Application 2026

Event Highlights: 

Kickoff Dinner (Meet fellow founders, mentors, faculty, and community partners. Gain a clear roadmap for the competition and hear from a distinguished leader in technology and entrepreneurship.)

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

6 – 8 p.m.

Minifie Atrium | McCoy Hall 434

Attendance is required to compete.

What You’ll Learn

Participants receive step-by-step guidance in:

• Refining a tech idea into a real opportunity
• Customer validation for tech products
• Simple and scalable revenue models
• Intellectual property fundamentals
• Funding basics for early-stage tech ventures
• Startup banking essentials
• Using AI tools effectively
• Tech market positioning
• Pitch structure and Q&A strategy

Final Pitch Day (finalists present their tech ventures to judges, industry leaders, alumni, and community partners)

Saturday, April 11, 2026

1 – 3 p.m.

McCoy Hall 119 

Prize Awards

1^st – $2,000

2^nd – $1,500

3^rd – $1,000

4^th – $500

5^th – $250 

For questions, please contact Ms. Quinn Valentine, ctj62@txstate.edu, or 512.408.2246.

TO:                             Current Undergraduate Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Heather Galloway

                                    Dean, Honors College

SUBJECT:                   Spring 2026 Undergraduate Research Conference

The Honors College and the IDEA Center are pleased to announce the 20th annual Undergraduate Research Conference—a showcase event for undergraduate research and creative activity at Texas State University. This year, the conference will be held on Wednesday, April 22 and Friday, April 24, 2026, and will include a poster session on Wednesday in the LBJSC Ballroom and Honors Capstone panel sessions on Friday in LBJSC and Alkek Library.

Undergraduate students from all academic areas are encouraged to submit poster proposals by Monday, March 9, 2026. 

Applications to present your poster at the URC are now available. 

If you have questions, please email ugresearch@txstate.edu or call us (512) 245-2266.   

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. John Fleming

                                    Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

SUBJECT:                   TEDx Tickets on Sale

Tickets to TEDxTexasStateUniversity are going fast! Get yours while you still can! We are only a couple weeks away and we would love to see you there! 

The TEDxTexasStateUniversity leadership team and the Department of Communication Studies invite you to our in-person TEDx event on Saturday, February 28 in the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. The event runs from 12:30–4:30 p.m. Mark your calendars and join us for an inspiring afternoon of conversations and performances. Tickets are available through the Texas State Presents website.

This year, our event will feature six speakers exploring wide-ranging topics through the lens of our theme, Unlearn. It is an invitation to pause, question the familiar, and imagine what becomes possible when we let go of old assumptions. Join us for a day of fresh ideas, new perspectives, and rethinking what we thought we knew.

Speaker Lineup

Brian Johnson – A former Major League catcher, scout, and now consultant, Mr. Johnson explores how today’s evolving workplace calls us to rethink old assumptions about work and success. Drawing from years spent helping organizations strengthen culture and opportunity, he emphasizes adaptability, purpose, and supporting those who face limited pathways forward.

Dr. Maureen Keeley – A leading scholar in family communication for nearly 30 years, Dr. Keeley asks us to reconsider how we communicate at the end of life. Inspired by research shaped through the loss of her mother, her talk highlights the meaningful conversations that help families navigate dying with honesty, connection, and care.

Melanie Koroluk – Ms. Koroluk challenges the notion that mental health is solely an individual pursuit. A bilingual immigrant, graduate student at Texas State University and future professional counselor, she draws on neuroscience, social justice work, and experiences across three countries to show why healing is most powerful when it happens in community.

Benjamin Elias – Mr. Elias shares how unlearning limiting beliefs opened the door to growth and possibility in his own life. Reflecting on his journey through incarceration and into nonprofit leadership, he discusses how education and self-reflection empowered him to rebuild—and how others can challenge the narratives that hold them back.

Elli Overton – A three-time Olympian, youth-sports consultant, and professional counseling graduate student at Texas State University, Ms. Overton challenges the belief that “winning is everything.” She shows how healthier definitions of success—rooted in resilience, self-compassion, and learning through failure—help young people thrive.

Charlene “Char” Holmes – Ms. Holmes, a Texas State University psychology student, trauma-informed life coach, and host of the award-winning podcast Talk Bari To Me, examines how survival-mode thinking can persist long after hardship ends. Her talk encourages us to unlearn old patterns so we can experience genuine peace, joy, and self-worth.

You’ll get these six powerful talks PLUS electrifying performances from Texas State students and alumni in music, dance, and musical theatre—along with a live DJ and a youth competitive dance team that will turn the energy all the way up. 

• Infusion Dance – a premier youth performance and competitive dance studio known for high-energy, versatile routines that blend Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Latin styles while promoting confidence, creativity, and community through movement
• Young, Gifted, and Black Showcase – a powerful collective of Musical Theatre students at Texas State University presenting a dynamic showcase of songs, scenes, dance, and devised pieces celebrating Black artistry and expression
• DJ Ladybug – an emerging open-format DJ with a love for shimmering electropop and femme pop divas, serving up bold, eclectic mixes that will keep us entertained before the show and during intermission
• Chronos Quartet – a dynamic student-led saxophone quartet from the Texas State School of Music, recognized for their community performances, premieres of new works, and upcoming appearance at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention
• VocaLibre – an auditioned choral ensemble at Texas State University dedicated to honest storytelling through song, performing a wide range of genres from traditional choral works to pop, R&B, and global music traditions
• Sade’ May – a director, theatre educator, and storyteller whose work explores Black performance traditions through embodied storytelling, using theatre, ritual, and oral history to center voice, memory, and collective imagination

Big ideas. Bold creativity. One unforgettable day.

Ticket Information

Children and Texas State students: $10

Faculty and Staff: $15

General admission: $20

VIP: $100 (includes preferential seating, a TEDx t-shirt, and access to the after-party with food and entertainment)

What is TEDx?
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. For more information or any questions, email us at TEDxTXST@txstate.edu or visit the TEDxTexasStateUniversity webpage.

TEDx Leadership Team
Dr. Alan Grant, Department of Communication Studies
Mr. Mark Paz, Department of Communication Studies
Ms. Hannah Collazo, Department of Communication Studies

Ms. Rita Gomez, Department of Communication Studies
Dr. Prisca Ngondo, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Dear Colleagues, 

Our fourth strategic hiring and research town hall area is “Digital Humanities” in the fullest sense. We hope that Texas State community members whose work addresses any aspect of digital humanities in any field using any methods will join us for this conversation.  

Topic: Digital Humanities

Date: March 3, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: JCK Ballroom, 11^th Floor

At each town hall, we will discuss our current core strengths and opportunity areas for recruiting nationally known scholars. We will also facilitate opportunities for collaboration on cross-disciplinary research proposals for funding from the Office of Research in each strategic area. 

To attend, please register by February 26th and save the event to your calendar on the registration page. We will not send a separate calendar invitation, and we will only be able to accommodate those who have registered. Because our conversation may include strategies around future research initiatives and hiring, we will not be able to record the town hall or provide remote access. 

We are already an R1 university in all but name due to the outstanding work of our faculty. As we embark on this strategic hiring initiative, the active engagement of faculty members is crucial. I look forward to discussing implementation with you at our upcoming town hall on digital humanities and over the course of the coming year.  

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Timing of Future Town Halls 

• April: Aging/Dementia 

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Chair, Department of Anthropology 

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Nicole Taylor as Chair of the Department of Anthropology, effective January 1, 2026.

Dr. Taylor earned her bachelor's degree in English from Texas State University, her master's degree in English from Texas A&M University, and her doctoral degree in Anthropology from The University of Arizona. She joined Texas State as an Associate Professor in 2016 and was tenured in 2019. During her time at Texas State, she has served in various service and leadership roles, including Ph.D. Program Coordinator, Associate Chair, and Faculty Senate Liaison. Prior to joining to Texas State, she worked in nonprofit and corporate settings conducting research and evaluation in the areas of substance abuse, education and poverty, childhood obesity, school climate, and institutional culture. She then served for five years as the Director of Scholar Programs at the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

Dr. Taylor is a cultural anthropologist whose research explores contemporary social issues among youth in the United States, including social media engagement, body image concerns, childhood obesity, and the experiences of college students in higher education. Her recent work focuses on the development of digital methods for social media research. Her work has been funded by two National Science Foundation grants and resulted in two ethnographic monographs, a co-edited special journal issue, a co-edited methods volume, and 12 peer-reviewed articles and chapters. 

Dr. Taylor has taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate classes, including Qualitative Methods, Medical Anthropology, Applied Cultural Anthropology, Anthropology of Youth, and Language and the Body. She has chaired five doctoral student committees, six master's student committees, and supervised eight undergraduate Honors students, in addition to serving on 19 graduate committees in Anthropology. 

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Nicole Taylor on her appointment as Chair of the Department of Anthropology.

Welcome to Spring 2026! The University Writing Center is open, and we're excited to share how we can help you and support your students this semester.

HOW WE HELP STUDENTS  

We offer services to develop writers from all disciplines at any stage in their writing process—even before they have anything written down. 

• 1-1 consultations for 25- or 50-minute consultations on any type of writing, including help with Vireo formatting and pre-law writing
• Two weekly writing groups, including Write  Time and Creative Writers’ Circle 
• Coffee & Commas, a monthly workshop series open to all students. Our next workshop will be "Getting Started with APA Style" on February 11 from 11 am-12 pm in ASBN 100. 
• Support for writing beyond the classroom, including personal statements, scholarship essays, conference proposals, and more 
• Dissertations and theses, including Vireo formatting support and writing consultations at any stage of the dissertation process
• Spring Writing Retreat offers dedicated writing time hosted at the Writing Center (ASBN 100) from 12-5 pm on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11. Snacks and drinks will be provided. All writers welcome.

HOW WE SUPPORT FACULTY 

We are here to support your teaching and scholarship with a range of resources: 

• Statement for Canvas: Tell students about our services by including this syllabus statement.
• Class tours: Book an in-person or virtual tour to introduce students to our space and services.
• Proof-of-visit forms: Verify a student attended their consultation by asking them to request a proof-of-visit at the end of their appointment.  
• Workshops Series: Send your students to our ongoing workshop series, Coffee & Commas, to help them improve their writing, editing, and research skills. 
• Consultations for faculty: Make an appointment with a faculty consultant to work on your own writing, too.
• Spring Writing Retreat: Join us for dedicated writing time hosted at the Writing Center (ASBN 100) on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 from 12-5 pm. Snacks and drinks will be provided. All writers welcome. 

HOURS, LOCATIONS, AND SCHEDULING 

Here are our hours this semester:

Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To book an appointment, request a service, or learn more, visit our website, contact us by email (writingctr@txstate.edu) or phone (512-245-3018). We have a new booking system, Trac Coud, so please don't hesitate to reach out for support in booking an appointment. You can find us in person in ASBN 100 (San Marcos) and Avery 206 (Round Rock), or virtually on Zoom. 

As always, thank you for all you do to support students' writing development. Best wishes for a smooth start to the semester!

Best,

University Writing Center team

Dear Colleagues, 

Welcome back from what I hope was a restful break! I’m looking forward to another busy semester and the progress we’ll make on our shared goals to improve student and faculty success and steward our resources efficiently to ensure long-term sustainability.  

Academic and Administrative Program Review  

If I’ve had the opportunity to connect with you last semester at a meeting, an event or in your department, you have probably heard me talk about the upcoming academic and administrative program review process that Texas State is undertaking. This review is in partnership with the Division of Finance and Support Services, and we selected Gray DI and Credo through a competitive RFP process to conduct the review.    

Universities typically don’t embark on program review until they’re forced to by enrollment loss, budget constraints, or other issues. By conducting this review from a position of strength, when we are growing and in a stable budget position, we will have many more opportunities to implement what we learn, to further enhance what is already excellent, and to strategically align our resources for continued success. The broad goal of the review is to ensure efficient use of our resources in the service of our highest campus priorities.  

We’re currently starting the Data Request & Collection phase of the review and there will be both a functional data team and a representative team working directly with Gray DI and Credo to provide accurate information about our campus. As we move into the Stakeholder Engagement phase of the process, we will continue to update the campus.  

Supporting Our Students  

I was so impressed and grateful that our faculty stepped up and improved the Early Academic Progress reporting from the 50-60^th percentile to 95%. This information allowed advisors, RAs and other student-facing staff members to provide students with more specialized support and help them make good decisions to support their long-term academic progress. Acting on information like this is how we will move the needle on retention and completion to ensure that our students succeed, and it’s crucial that we continue these strong partnerships. 

This semester, we’re continuing to focus on the issues that have the most impact on our students’ progress. The Academic Success team secured a Student-Centered Scheduling grant from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) to more accurately predict student demand and ensure that our course schedule and availability support student degree progress. We’re working on the course availability issue from many directions, from standardizing classroom scheduling to make the most of our space, to releasing instructional budget allocations earlier to allow colleges to hire instructors earlier.  

Curriculum Review  

I want to thank everyone involved in the ongoing curriculum review process for their diligence and hard work. We have completed phase one of the review process which includes all our general education and special topics courses. This wouldn’t have been possible without the diligence of faculty members in the departments, our faculty champions, chairs, deans, and the staff and leadership in Academic Innovation and Curriculum and Academic Programs who have come together to support this review.   

The quality of our curriculum depends on regular review, and this year’s work will provide an excellent baseline as we move forward. Most colleges have already begun reviewing their phase two courses, and we plan to complete the review of the entire curriculum prior to the publications of the next catalog this summer.  

Research Town Halls and Strategic Hiring  

In collaboration with the Division of Research, we are continuing our town halls focused on five areas of research strength and will host sessions on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Humanities, and Aging/Dementia this spring. Our fall sessions on Water and Semiconductors were well-attended, and the robust conversations showed all the great internal collaboration opportunities we have on campus.  

We plan to hire senior faculty members with excellent research records in these areas whose work will enhance the strengths we already have on campus. It has been wonderful to have the input of so many faculty voices as we work toward these hires. We have just launched the advertisements for the water and semiconductor roles and will launch ads for the other positions after each town hall. 

Conclusion 

I’m looking forward to a great semester and hope I have the chance to see and speak with many of you at departmental visits, Faculty Senate meetings, Coffee with the EVPs or other campus and community events. I am so grateful for the hard work and commitment of the faculty and staff. Your work is transforming the lives of so many.  

We’ll continue to keep you updated on these and other initiatives as we work to support the success of our community. 

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath, Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Barrett Bryant

                                    Dean, College of Science and Engineering

SUBJECT:                   Registration Now Open & Call for Poster Presentations 2026 TXST STEM Conference

Texas State University is proud to host the 4^th Annual TXST STEM Conference on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the TXST LBJ Student Center.

The TXST STEM Conference brings together researchers, students, educators, and industry leaders to explore how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics drive innovation and contribute to a resilient and prosperous Texas.

The 2026 conference theme, “From Lab to Landscape: Building a Bigger, Better Texas,” highlights how interdisciplinary research and partnerships at Texas State are advancing solutions across fields such as clean energy, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, water management, sustainable agriculture, and health resiliency. In alignment with the State of Texas’ Bigger. Better. Texas. Economic Development Plan, the conference emphasizes how university-driven discovery supports innovation, workforce development, and economic strength across the state.

Registration for the conference is now open. Additionally, students (undergraduate and graduate) and postdoctoral scholars are invited to submit poster abstracts. Abstract submissions must be received by February 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

For details regarding registration, abstract guidelines, and submission instructions, visit the conference website.

Your participation in this institutional event contributes to collaboration and continued excellence within the STEM community at Texas State University. We look forward to your involvement.

Dear Colleagues,

Our third strategic hiring and research town hall area is “Artificial Intelligence” in the fullest sense. We hope that Texas State community members whose work addresses any aspect of artificial intelligence in any field using any methods will join us for this conversation. 

Topic: Artificial Intelligence

Date: January 29, 2026

Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Location: JCK Ballroom, 11^th Floor

At each town hall, we will discuss our current core strengths and opportunity areas for recruiting nationally known scholars. We will also facilitate opportunities for collaboration on cross-disciplinary research proposals for funding from the Office of Research in each strategic area.

To attend, please register by January 22nd and save the event to your calendar on the registration page. We will not send a separate calendar invitation, and we will only be able to accommodate those who have registered. Because our conversation may include strategies around future research initiatives and hiring, we will not be able to record the town hall or provide remote access.

We are already an R1 university in all but name due to the outstanding work of our faculty. As we embark on this strategic hiring initiative, the active engagement of faculty members is crucial. I look forward to discussing implementation with you at our upcoming town hall on AI and over the course of the coming year. 

Sincerely,

Pranesh B. Aswath

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Timing of Future Town Halls

• March: Digital Humanities
• April: Aging/Dementia

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. John Fleming

                                    Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

SUBJECT:                   The COMM Lab is ready for your students – Spring 2026

The COMM Lab is now open to help you and support your students this semester. 

Our peer coaches are ready to meet with your undergraduate and graduate students to assist in the effective delivery of presentations for classes, 3MT and academic conferences. These can be individual or group-based presentations, and we offer both in-person and virtual appointments. 

Each 30-minute appointment begins with students delivering their completed presentation, followed by personalized feedback and expert guidance from a trained presentation coach.

The lab also offers personalized instruction to students experiencing communication apprehension or "stage fright".   

FOR FACULTY

We provide the following resources to support your teaching:

• Feedback form: Students are given a feedback form with specific recommendations for improvement. You can verify a student attended their appointment by asking them to forward it to you.
• Video recording: Presentations are video recorded and a link to the video is sent to the student after the appointment. You can ask your students to forward to link to you.
• Statement for your syllabus: Tell students about our services by including this syllabus statement:

                        “I encourage you to use the COMM Lab this semester as you prepare to give presentations. The COMM Lab provides trained peer coaches to help with effective delivery of your presentation by giving 

customized feedback on your performance. You will deliver your completed presentation, a coach will record and review the presentation with you, and then identify strengths, suggest improvements, 

and answer your questions.” 

LOCATION AND SCHEDULING 

The COMM Lab is located in the Alkek Learning Commons on the 3rd floor, room 304. We offer both in-person and virtual sessions. To book an appointment, visit our website. The calendar will list available appointment times. 

If you have additional questions about the Lab, please email our Director, Casey Chilton (cc60@txstate.edu).

 We look forward to working with you and your students this semester!

TO:                             Faculty

                                    Staff

                                    Graduate Teaching Assistants/Doctoral Teaching Assistants

                                    Graduate Instructional Assistants/Doctoral Instructional Assistants

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Policies Related to Teaching and Instruction

In an effort to consolidate email communications from the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, this memo provides an overview of policies and information related to teaching and instructional responsibilities, student records, students with disabilities, and classroom materials. All employees serving in instructional roles, including teaching assistants and instructional assistants, are asked to visit the websites linked below and to talk with their department chairs/school directors about specific questions regarding these policies and practices. Please forward this message to new instructors, as hiring processes occur daily.   

Faculty-Authored Teaching Material

Approval is required before a faculty member may require any textbook, notebook, manual, or other materials written or prepared by a member of the Texas State University faculty for which a charge is required. The policy AA/PPS 02.03.30, Faculty-Authored Teaching and Instructional Material describes the procedure for faculty to obtain approval for the use of materials authored or prepared by Texas State University faculty, even if the materials are used in classes taught by other instructors. Instructors may only require materials that meet instructional goals and student learning outcomes of the course.

Authorizations are valid for one fiscal year (September 1–August 31). Subsequent use of the materials must be approved. The faculty member must submit a request form to the department chair/school director, dean, and provost. The deadlines to submit a request to use faculty-authored teaching materials are July 1 (fall semester), November 1 (spring semester), and April 1 (summer sessions). Please complete the Request for Authorization to Prescribe Materials Form via the Dynamic Forms platform. Please visit our Dynamic Forms web page for more information.

Inadvertent Release of Student Education Records: Updated with Secure Communication Instructions 

This is a reminder of your obligation to guard against the inadvertent release of student education records as stipulated in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). UPPS 01.04.31, Access to Student Records Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, addresses this law and faculty and staff obligations.  

Examples of inadvertent releases of student education records include emailing student grades, grade point averages, test scores or posting grades by student ID numbers, social security numbers, or other numbers that make student identities easily traceable. These actions violate federal law and university policy. A list of frequently asked questions is available for additional information. 

Please review File and Data Sending and Receiving information standards as well as best practices for Data Classification (confidential, sensitive, or public) from the division of Information Technology. To securely send and receive confidential student education records per FERPA regulations, use the TXST (secure) File Transfer system.

Faculty and staff must log in to the Bobcat Family Portal to confirm that a student has granted access before sharing any student information. More information is available on the FERPA for Faculty and Staff website, including information about directory information and privacy holds.

Attendance Roster Certification

AA/PPS No. 02.03.01, Conduct and Planning of Courses, Section 06.01 – Faculty will certify attendance rosters. Students must attend or be academically engaged by the census date, to avoid being marked as Not Attending their classes and being administratively dropped.

Reminders:

1. Importance of Attendance: Regular class attendance is essential for learning and performance. Absence policies are usually set by academic departments or individual instructors, but the university recognizes valid excuses such as medical issues, immediate family bereavement, university-sponsored activities, required field trips, military service, and official religious holy days.
2. Roster Certification: Faculty members will be required to certify their census rosters (4th class day for summer semesters and 12th class day for fall and spring semesters). These records will be permanently retained by the Office of the University Registrar. Special care should be taken to certify rosters for courses where faculty and students have not yet had face-to-face interaction by the census date. These may include courses taught via online or hybrid instruction. In these cases, certification of the roster will require documentation of active academic engagement by the student in the course by the census date.
3. Attendance Announcements: Instructors are encouraged to share their attendance policies on the first day and include them in the syllabus.
4. Exceptions and Changes: Classes should not deviate from the schedule around holidays, and any faculty absence must be communicated to the department for appropriate arrangements.

Regular and Substantive Interaction in Distance Learning

Texas State University affirms its longstanding commitment to quality teaching and learning by ensuring that distance education courses include instructor-initiated, meaningful, and documented engagement that is integral to course design and learning outcomes.

To maintain compliance with federal financial aid regulations, distance education courses must demonstrate regular and substantive interaction as defined by applicable U.S. Department of Education guidelines. Such interaction must be initiated by the instructor, occur on a predictable and timely basis, and be focused on the course content and student academic progress. Examples include, but are not limited to, providing substantive feedback on assignments, facilitating instructor-led discussions, conducting direct instruction, and monitoring and responding to student engagement and performance.

Instructors are expected to design courses in which regular and substantive interaction is planned, ongoing, and embedded in the instructional strategy, and to maintain appropriate documentation of student participation in academically related activities. Records of student engagement that occur on or before the semester census date should be retained to support institutional reporting and federal financial aid eligibility.

Additional guidance and institutional requirements related to distance education courses and programs are outlined in G/PPS 02.03, Distance Education Courses and Programs.

Students with Disabilities

Texas State University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students and complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. If a student experiences barriers to education due to a disability or believes they may have a disability, they are encouraged to contact Disability Services (DS) at (512) 245-3451, by email at disability@txstate.edu, or by visiting the DS web page. Disabilities may include, but are not limited to, attentional, learning, mental health, sensory, physical, communication, or chronic medical conditions. DS will provide both the student and the instructor with an accommodation letter identifying the requested accommodations. Instructors who encounter difficulties in providing accommodations or believe they may result in a fundamental alteration or undue burden should consult with DS as soon as possible to discuss concerns and explore alternative accommodations.

Honor Code Procedures: Faculty Member Responsibilities 

This is a best practices list of basic steps to assist faculty members who suspect that a student has violated the Honor Code Policy. The faculty member may consult with their department chair or school director to determine an appropriate academic penalty. 

Honor Code violations are not reported on transcripts or to outside entities. Reports are for internal tracking purposes to identify repeat offenders, who will be referred to the Dean of Students. 

In compliance with the Honor Code policy (UPPS 07.10.01), the faculty member will:

1. Contact the student verbally or in writing (i.e., in person, virtually, via phone, or email) to discuss the alleged violation, supporting evidence, and academic penalty to be imposed as defined in Section 02.02 of the Honor Code policy.
2. Clearly communicate your observations and the prescribed penalty to the student and consider their evidence/explanation. If the student fails to respond regarding the violation within three business days, move forward with the Honor Code Review Form. A hold will be placed on the student's academic record until the matter is resolved.  
3. After conferring with the student, if it is still suspected the student violated the Honor Code, advise the student that a report will be filed, and they will be contacted by the Honor Code Chair, Vice Chair, or office and given the option to accept or not accept the decision. 
4. Complete the Honor Code Review Form, attaching supporting documentation and/or evidence. Texas State NetID and login credentials will be required. 
5. The student will be sent an email and asked to 1) accept the faculty member's determination and waive their right to a hearing, or 2) not accept the determination and request a hearing with the Honor Code Council to review the case. If a student does not respond to the email within three business days, a hold will be placed on their academic record until the matter is resolved. 
6. If the student accepts, the case is closed. If a hearing is requested, a Hearing Officer will be in touch with the next steps. 

Reference UPPS 07.10.01 for descriptions and details of violations and other honor code policy information.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Sanjay Ramchander

                                    Dean, McCoy College of Business

SUBJECT:                   Business Leadership Week

February 2-6, 2026

The McCoy College of Business invites you to Business Leadership Week, February 2-6, 2026. Business Leadership Week is McCoy College's signature professional development event, connecting students, alumni, and the business community. The week’s events will include numerous sessions, workshops, panels, and activities that conclude with a day-long summit.

Visit our Business Leadership Week website to view the full schedule and to register for events.

For questions, contact the McCoy College Foundation via email at mccoyfoundation@txstate.edu or call 512.408.1497.

If you require accommodations due to a disability in order to participate, please contact 512.408.1497 at least 72 hours in advance of the event.

Dear Colleagues,

College of Education Dean Michael O’Malley will become the next dean of the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University. His last day at Texas State University will be June 30, 2026. I will share additional information about the transition plan later this semester.

Dean O’Malley joined Texas State in 2008 and prior to serving as dean, chaired the Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education and School Psychology (CLAS) from 2014 to 2018. He has served as dean of the College of Education since 2018, collaborating with faculty and staff to increase degree offerings, grow enrollment and improve retention and graduation rates for the college that produces more Texas teachers than any other. 

Under Dean O’Malley’s leadership, the College of Education significantly expanded doctoral education in the college, supporting Texas State’s Run to R1 efforts and further developing the education pipeline for Texas. Dean O’Malley has ensured the appropriate planning and infrastructure to support scaling doctoral programs and has strategically hired and promoted excellent faculty members to support the vision of the college. 

Sponsored research has also increased by 69% in the college over the last five years due in no small part to Dean O’Malley’s leadership. This includes grants for which Dean O’Malley is the principal investigator, including a five-year, $2.74 million Augustus F. Hawkins Center of Excellence grant to support an innovative “grow-your-own" teacher certification pathway to address teacher shortages. Dean O’Malley also collaboratively secured $800,000 in external funding to develop Bobcat RISE, a four-year college experience for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

In addition to his service on campus, Dean O’Malley is a recognized leader in the education field and has strengthened partnerships between the college and school districts. He has served terms as the elected president of the Texas Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, associate director of publications for the University Council for Educational Administration and chair of the Texas Association of School Administrators’ Higher Education Committee. In 2023, Dean O’Malley received the Council of Deans of Education Outstanding Leadership Award reflecting his career accomplishments and the esteem of his peers. 

Dean O’Malley is a collaborative leader in every sense of the word and always credits the success of the College of Education to the deep partnerships and hard work of the faculty and staff. Please join me in congratulating Dean O'Malley on this next step in his career and wishing him the best.

Sincerely,

Pranesh B. Aswath

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs

TO:                             Faculty

                                    Staff in the Division of Academic Affairs

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Policies Related to Ethics and Compliance

In an effort to consolidate email communications from the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, this memo provides an overview of policies and other information related to ethics and compliance following university, state, and federal regulations and policies. This message addresses required ethics and compliance training, dual/outside employment, reporting of relatives working at Texas State University, and mandatory notices to employees. Specific questions regarding these policies and practices may be addressed to supervisors.  

University Ethics and Compliance Program

Texas State is committed to ensuring that our institution maintains the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity throughout all aspects of operations. As public servants, university faculty and staff are guardians of the resources entrusted to it and have a responsibility to students, parents, alumni, donors, and the citizens of Texas to ensure those resources are used efficiently and for their intended purpose. Several reporting tools are available that provide a confidential avenue for reporting concerns about potential waste, fraud, and abuse of resources; the lack of compliance with laws, regulations, and/or University Policy and Procedure Statements; or violations of the Texas State University System’s Code of Ethics. We encourage you to report such issues through one of the following tools:

• reports can be made anonymously via this website: Texas State University System Hotline.
• Texas State University Office of Internal Audit Hotline at (512) 245-1707.
• you may also call the TXST Office of Internal Audit main line, (512) 245-2533, during business hours to report information directly to the audit staff. 

The University has implemented a fixed training schedule and compliance period. All Texas State University employees, with the exception of certain new hires, are required to complete assigned mandatory training by the end of the compliance period. The FY26 compliance training period runs from December 17, 2025, to February 15, 2026. 

Employees who do not complete the mandatory training within the defined period will be ineligible for merit increases and subject to disciplinary action within the discretion of the University. New hires who begin after a specific date will follow a separate training schedule during their onboarding process and will transition to the fixed schedule in the following annual cycle. 

Please review the following training requirements:

1. Cybersecurity Training: All employees must complete this training annually to meet the requirement mandated by Texas Government Code Section 2063.103.
2. Ethics and Compliance Training: All employees are required to complete this training every two years* to meet the requirement mandated by TSUS. 
3. EEO and Title IX Training: All employees are required to complete this training every two years* to meet the requirement mandated by the State of Texas.

*Faculty and staff who did not complete Ethics and Compliance Training and EEO and Title IX Training during the FY25 compliance period are required to complete them during the FY26 compliance period. 

TXST Cybersecurity Training, Tools for an Ethical Workplace (Ethics & Compliance), and Preventing Harassment and Discrimination (EEO & Title IX) are offered online via the employee learning management tool, Success Factors (SF) Learning. Employees will receive email reminder(s) when their training is due.

Clery Act and Campus Security Authorities: The Clery Act is a federal law that requires the institution to provide accurate and timely information about crime and campus safety to the university community as well as prospective students and employees. The act requires the identification of individuals that meet the definition of a campus security authority (CSA). While many faculty members are not designated as CSAs based on their position, those who serve as advisors to student organizations or program trip leaders will be CSAs. Employees designated as CSAs will be notified by the Clery Act Compliance Officer and are required to complete the CSA Clery Training Course available within Success Factors (SF) Learning annually. Employees will receive an email reminder when their training is due. 

Online Reporting of Dual/Outside Employment and Activities

UPPS 04.04.06, Outside Employment and Activities defines outside employment as any compensated employment, consulting, or service performed by the employee outside of the employee’s employment relationship with Texas State for the direct or indirect benefit of the employee or the organization serviced. Outside activities that involve non-compensated services are not always reported. However, there are special provisions for holding public office. Outside employment or activities must not interfere or create a conflict of interest or commitment with any employee’s duties and responsibilities at Texas State.  

Outside employment, financial conflict of interest (FCOI), conflict of commitment (COC), and inappropriate foreign influence may be related topics that potentially present challenges in managing overlapping dimensions. This is particularly important for faculty and staff involved in federal grant awards and sponsored programs. To encourage and support the research community, the division of Research will continue to develop and disseminate information and guidance regarding disclosures to internal and external entities, including funding agencies. Contact Sean Rubino, Director, Research Integrity and Compliance, via email at srubino@txstate.edu for questions or more information in this regard. 

Annual approval is required for 1) any outside employment or consulting prior to beginning such outside employment or consulting; 2) any employment with another state agency, community college, or school district (regardless of the faculty member’s FTE at Texas State); 3) any employee holding public office (elected or appointed to serve for a federal, state, or local government entity including school districts, cities, and towns); or 4) non-compensated activities where the employee or supervisor believes there may be a conflict of interest or interference with the employee’s university duties and responsibilities, or if the outside activities will take place during or interfere with the employee’s normally scheduled work hours. 

If the outside employment is with another State of Texas entity, Texas law requires that all state employees must inform their state agencies or institutions of higher education before accepting an additional employment with another agency or institution. See section 03.02 of UPPS 04.04.06.

Annual reporting is required. Thus, outside employment approved from a prior academic year must be reported for the current year if the employment is ongoing. The current reporting academic year is 9/1/25 – 8/31/26. Employees are also required to report any changes that may occur during the academic year (e.g., additional outside employment throughout the year or change in outside employment workload). Reporting of dual and outside employment is done electronically via the SAP Portal under the “Self-Report” tab. At least one supervisor in the approval workflow, such as a department chair/school director, director, assistant or associate vice provost, dean, or vice provost, must document there is no conflict of interest or commitment with outside employment before the request flows to the Office of the Provost.   

Note: Honorariums need not be reported.

Online Reporting of Relatives Working at Texas State University

An online form is available for employees to report certain relatives also working at Texas State University. With centralized records, Human Resources and Faculty and Academic Resources will be able to better manage potential conflicts and provide accurate reports as required by state law and The Texas State University System Regents’ Rules and Regulations. The governing policy is UPPS 04.04.07, Nepotism and Related Employment.  

Note: If you have already reported relatives working at Texas State and there are no changes, no action is required. After your initial certification, you must report any changes as they occur.

If needed, please take action now and provide complete information, including hours worked per week and other details that aid reviewers in decision-making. Reporting of dual and outside employment is done electronically via the SAP Portal under the “Self-Report” tab. Instructions for Self-Reporting of Relatives at Texas State are available. The records will be reviewed by Human Resources or Faculty and Academic Resources against the organizational structure in SAP. If there is a potential conflict, Human Resources or Faculty and Academic Resources staff will contact the department head for resolution. Faculty-related questions may be directed to Faculty and Academic Resources at (512) 245-2786.

Employee Notices

While a variety of policies and laws are provided to new employees at orientation sessions, employee notices are important reminders for all employees and supervisors. These notices include information on State of Texas employee policies, sexual misconduct in the workplace, workplace accommodations, campus security, and other matters.