The Texas State University System's Office of the Vice Chancellor and General Counsel (OGC) provides legal counsel to the Board of Regents, chancellor, universities, colleges, and institute that comprise the System, striving to offer timely and responsible advice on a broad array of legal issues facing public, complex institutions of higher education. The OGC serves the campuses by providing strong, vigorous, and reasoned legal representation and advocacy in order to help those institutions achieve their critical missions. The System also offers proactive legal training, on a variety of legal topics, including but not limited to, Title IX and ethics.
The OGC practice areas are in three primary concentrations: general law, business law, and governance. Below is a summary of each of these areas of responsibility:
General Law - These legal matters involve employees and students in the human resources and student affairs areas. Such matters include:
Business Law - These legal matters involve the commercial and business activities of all campuses, except for human resources. Such matters include:
Governance Law – These legal matters are generally handled by the Vice Chancellor and General Counsel and involve governance and System level legal policy and executive initiatives, including the following:
During the 88th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature, SB 17 was passed and subsequently signed into law. SB 17 relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public institutions of higher education.
All requests to retain outside counsel must be handled through the Vice Chancellor and General Counsel (VCGC). Campuses may not retain or utilize services provided by outside counsel without first receiving authorization and approval from the VCGC. All Request to Retain Outside Counsel (RtR) shall be handled by the TSUS Office of General Counsel.
If a campus requires legal services from any outside counsel, please contact the Office of General Counsel.