Texas Southern Below Hearth By Governor In Monetary Investigation

[ad_1] by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman November 13, 2025

Supporters of the HBCU have referred to as Abbott's crackdown racially motivated.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has launched an investigation into Texas Southern College, warning the HBCU about its potential monetary points.

Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick authorized an investigation into the Houston-based establishment over claims of fraud and monetary abuse. Gov. Abbott didn't mince phrases towards college officers after a state auditor famous “deficiencies in oversight, contracting, processes, and reporting,” particularly on condition that TSU does obtain state funding.

The allotted {dollars} that TSU receives from Texas stay undisclosed. Nevertheless, the governor famous that “lots of of tens of millions of {dollars}” have been allegedly misallocated. Abbott referred to as upon the Texas Division of Public Security and the Texas Comptroller’s Workplace to help within the state investigation.

“The Texas State Auditor uncovered vital monetary and operational points with Texas Southern College’s accounting procedures, alleging the potential misappropriation of lots of of tens of millions of {dollars},” Abbott stated, as reported by Afrotech.

He continued, “Waste, fraud, and abuse won't be tolerated. TSU’s Board of Regents and all college officers should absolutely cooperate with these investigations to make sure taxpayer {dollars} are usually not squandered.”

As for his second-in-command, Patrick shared on X concerning the “shoddy work” contractors accomplished for the varsity. The Lt. Governor additionally warned that the state may doubtlessly freeze funding if corrections are usually not made.

Over the previous few months, the Texas State Auditor has been auditing Texas Southern College. They've been reviewing TSU’s monetary processes, procurement operations, and stock data.

Over the weekend, I used to be knowledgeable of disturbing info suggesting the misuse of… pic.twitter.com/c93sBTO826

— Workplace of the Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (@LtGovTX) November 10, 2025

“Sadly, TSU has come below scrutiny previously over how funds and contracts have been dealt with, in addition to shoddy work finished by contractors. There was a revolving door of presidents, board members, and college officers. Commencement charges haven't met expectations.”

He added, “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.”

In line with the audit shared, 743 invoices totaling $282.2 million have been paid on to distributors with expired contracts. The state auditor additionally detailed that $158 million in invoices have been dated earlier than the purchases gained approval. Nevertheless, in addition they famous that the varsity had delayed reporting of fiscal paperwork as a result of staffing points.

Nevertheless, some Texas officers imagine Abbott’s therapy of the HBCU is racially motivated. The GOP-led state authorities has adopted the federal authorities’ s lead in eliminating variety, fairness, and inclusion initiatives. In mild of this, state lawmakers imagine that Abbott’s actions search to demean the traditionally Black establishment.

State Rep. Jolanda Jones argued that Abbott is trying to erase the varsity’s numerous historical past with this crackdown. Jones additionally famous how the governor appoints members of TSU’s Board of Regents.

“If there’s any malfeasance happening, what does that should do with the college once you appointed the individuals who run the college? “You might be actually attempting to erase Black excellence, you’re attempting to erase us,” stated the lawmaker.

The varsity confronted and overcame a monetary scandal years prior, significantly over regulation college admissions in 2020. Nevertheless, state officers’ present threats to freeze funding for one of many largest HBCUs have alarmed many nationwide.