Texas Southern College as soon as once more finds itself on the middle of state scrutiny—and this time, the battle over accountability, autonomy, and race is colliding in full public view.
Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have ordered the Texas Rangers to analyze the historic college after a state audit uncovered what officers described as “important monetary and operational weaknesses” in its procurement and accounting techniques. The transfer comes as Patrick requires a potential freeze on TSU’s state funding, saying “no extra state {dollars} ought to go to TSU till that is cleared up.”
That call may considerably affect the college’s operations for its 9,000 college students and 1,400 school and workers.
“Everybody concerned have to be held accountable, from faculty staff to contractors, going again as a few years as there are questionable information and practices,” Patrick stated. “I don’t need yet another taxpayer greenback spent till this challenge is resolved,” Patrick stated. “The losers are usually not solely Texas taxpayers, however the college students of TSU, having no concept that funding meant for his or her high quality schooling was both fraudulently spent or thrown away by sloppy, unprofessional accounting processes.”
TSU, which operates outdoors of any state college system, is slated to obtain $123 million in state funding in fiscal 12 months 2026, almost half of its projected $248 million working funds.
The TSU Board of Regents launched an announcement acknowledging the college has confronted “historic challenges associated to monetary oversight, procurement practices, and compliance with prior state audits.” The board stated these points “have persevered throughout a number of administrations and now are being addressed.”
“An ongoing, self-initiated inner examination of the College’s procedures recognized course of deficiencies, and the efforts to deal with these have been conveyed to the State Auditor’s staff on the outset of this course of,” James M. Benham, Chairman of the Texas Southern College Board of Regents, wrote in an announcement. “College officers have been cooperating with the State Auditor for the reason that audit’s inception and sit up for the chance to satisfy with the state’s staff later this week to overview and tackle the audit findings, in addition to presenting the College’s reform efforts already underway.”
Questions of accountability and autonomy
For some state leaders, the audit’s findings demand motion. For others, the timing and tone of the state’s response increase crimson flags about political motivations and historic inequities in how Black establishments are handled.
State Sen. Borris Miles, who represents TSU’s district, stated the scenario is “deeply regarding” — but additionally troubling in the way it was dealt with.
“If the allegations of monetary mismanagement and misuse of state funds are true, that is unacceptable,” Miles stated. “We should implement modifications to make sure that TSU complies with state rules whereas persevering with its essential function in advancing larger schooling.”
Nonetheless, Miles criticized state leaders for failing to inform him earlier concerning the ongoing audit.
“This audit has been occurring for months, and I’m extremely disenchanted that I used to be not knowledgeable and came upon this info similtaneously the general public,” he stated.
He additionally warned that the scenario may change into a pretext for undermining TSU’s independence.
“I hope these allegations are usually not one other try by the State to strip this college of its independence and drive it right into a state system,” Miles stated. “Whereas oversight, reform, and transparency are essential, we should additionally protect TSU’s autonomy and its mission to serve underrepresented communities.”
from the twenty seventh district. Credit score: Texas Home of Representatives
State Rep. Ron Reynolds, a TSU alumnus, went additional, calling the investigation a “politically motivated assault.”
“When points come up at different state colleges, they’re met with sources and assist. When it’s TSU, the response is an investigation led by the Texas Rangers. That double commonplace is obvious, and it’ll not go unchecked.”
State Rep. Ron Reynolds
“I’m outraged and deeply offended by Governor Abbott’s choice to focus on some of the historic and transformative establishments in Texas,” Reynolds stated. “This isn’t about accountability. That is about humiliation, management, and one other try to tear down a beacon of Black excellence.”
Reynolds pointed to TSU’s document of manufacturing trailblazers like Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland, Al Inexperienced, and Michael Strahan, arguing that the college has lengthy uplifted Black Texans and formed state and nationwide management.
“When points come up at different state colleges, they’re met with sources and assist. When it’s TSU, the response is an investigation led by the Texas Rangers,” Reynolds stated. “That double commonplace is obvious, and it’ll not go unchecked.”
State Rep. Jolanda Jones questioned the governor’s function within the matter, noting that Abbott appoints the varsity’s board of regents.
“If there’s any malfeasance occurring, what does that should do with the college if you appointed the individuals who run the college?” Jones stated. “That is yet one more instance of (Abbott’s) lengthy sample of attacking Black college students, Black communities, and traditionally Black establishments since he’s been in workplace. He has repeatedly gone after TSU, Prairie View, and different Black-led establishments whereas failing to carry his personal appointees accountable.”
Audit findings and College response
In accordance with State Auditor Lisa Collier, staffing shortages at TSU contributed to “important monetary and operational weaknesses associated to asset administration, procurement and contracting, and monetary reporting.” Among the many findings:
743 invoices value $282.2 million tied to expired vendor contracts
8,144 invoices totaling $158 million dated earlier than approval
Delayed monetary statements — 10 months late in 2023, 4 months late in 2024
The audit, which started in Might, continues to be ongoing. Collier stated she plans to satisfy with TSU officers, and a closing report has not but been launched.
TSU officers acknowledged that they’ve already addressed a few of the findings, together with the set up of a brand new procurement system and the hiring of extra monetary workers.
“We sit up for gaining readability and persevering with to work with the state auditor to make sure transparency for all taxpayers of Texas,” the college stated in an announcement.
A historical past of monetary turmoil
TSU has confronted scrutiny previously over admissions scandals, monetary administration points, and contracting issues, and has skilled turnover amongst presidents, board members, and faculty officers. TSU supporters have staunchly defended their standing because the final unbiased public college within the state.
“That is past irritating,” stated Jones, who’s a TSU alum. “What different college has its audit findings placed on blast by the governor? They’re placing this out like TSU is mismanaging cash, when nearly all of their allegations are paperwork points (which I’m all for fixing). However this ‘Oh right here the Black people go stealing once more’ trope is outdated and performed out. That is them laying the groundwork to maneuver us to a state system.”
Nonetheless, alumni J. King stated that, no matter whether or not that is an assault or not, TSU has to take some accountability. “If we don’t handle enterprise internally, another person will do it for us — and never in our greatest curiosity,” King stated. We will’t maintain blaming the state for every part. The reality is, our home has not all the time been so as. And we give them the ammunition to assault us. We all know they’re searching for any purpose to deliver us down. It’s time we cease giving them causes.”
