Legal Services
- Open Meetings Act
- Policy Development and Interpretation
- Procurement Contracts
- Public Information Act
- Real Estate and Construction
- Regulatory and Legislative Analysis
- Special Projects
- Sponsored Research Agreements
- Student Matters
- Subpoenas and Records Requests
- Title VI
- Title VII
- Title IX
- University Policy
Academic Agreements
Our office works closely with Academic Affairs in reviewing academic agreements for legal sufficiency. For more information, please visit Academic Agreement Review or OGC's Contracts and Agreements.
ADA
Our office supports both the Office of Human Resources and Disability Services for Students regarding compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 when providing accommodations for TWU employees, students, and guests. TWU’s policies on the ADA are outlined in Regent Policy: B.20000, URP: 05.110, and URP: 01.240.
Advancement
Our office supports University Advancement regarding donor relations, gift agreements, and endowment compliance.
Athletics
Our office assists TWU Athletics in assuring compliance with NCAA and Lone Star Conference Regulations and other legal and compliance matters.
Clery Act
Our office supports TWU’s Police Department regarding compliance with the Clery Act. The Clery Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose certain timely and annual information about campus crime and security policies. The Regent Policy for the Clery Act is outlined in Regent Policy: E.50500.
Employment Matters and Grievances
Our office provides guidance to the Office of Human Resources and Academic Affairs on faculty and staff personnel matters, including proposed termination and other disciplinary actions, workplace investigations, staff and faculty grievances, discrimination and harassment claims, worker’s compensation claims, and unemployment claims.
Ethics and Compliance Hotline
OGC employs an external company that provides confidential options for the TWU community to report suspected wrongdoing. This Hotline is an effective way to help TWU address potential noncompliance with laws, regulations, and University Policies.
FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (“FERPA”) is the federal law that governs the rights of students and responsibilities of higher education with respect to student education records. Our office provides University-wide legal support and guidance related to FERPA. The Regent Policy for FERPA is outlined in Regent Policy: B.20600.
HIPAA
Our office provides support to the TWU community regarding compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”). The University Policy for HIPAA is outlined in URP: 01.270.
Institutional Compliance and Ethics
OGC advises the TWU community on complying with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. OGC collaborates with the Office of Compliance in investigating and ensuring prompt response to ethics and compliance issues or concerns. The Regent Policy for Compliance and Ethics is Regent Policy: B.20210. See URP: 01.210 for the Ethics Policy for Employees.
Institutional Governance
Our office provides legal counsel in the area of Institutional Governance in matters related to state and federal laws and regulations, TWU policies and procedures, conflicts of interest, and ethics.
Intellectual Property and Tech Transfer
OGC advises and assists the TWU community on Intellectual Property matters including patents, copyright, trademarks, and trade secrets. The University Policy for Intellectual Property is outlined in URP: 02.400.
Investigations
Our office works closely with the Office of Human Resources, the Office of Civility and Community Standards, and the Office of Compliance in providing advice and counsel on matters related to investigations. Investigative reports are reviewed for legal sufficiency to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations and University Policies.
Litigation Management
Under Texas law, the Office of the Attorney General (“OAG”) represents TWU during litigation proceedings. OGC coordinates with the OAG on all litigation matters where claims are made against TWU or its employees, when the claim is made based on the performance of their work duties.
Open Meetings Act
Our office advises TWU’s Board of Regents and Administration regarding the requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act. OGC also serves as the Secretary to the Board of Regents.
Policy Development and Interpretation
Our office maintains the TWU library of University Regulations and Procedures ("URPs") and Regent Policies. OGC works with Policy Owners to propose, identify, and discuss new and existing policies for possible inclusion in the policy development process.
Procurement Contracts
Our office works closely with the Office of Procurement and Contract Services in reviewing purchasing contracts on their legal sufficiency. For more information, please visit OGC’s Contracts and Agreements.
Public Information Act
Our office serves as TWU’s Public Information Officer for public information requests. If a department receives a public information request, it should be forwarded to OGC immediately. For more information about public information requests, please visit OGC's Public Information Requests.
Real Estate and Construction
Our office supports TWU’s Department of Facilities Management & Construction regarding real estate, construction, and facilities matters.
Regulatory and Legislative Analysis
Our office reviews and analyzes proposed legislative bills that have a potential legal impact on TWU and provides advice and guidance to the Office of Governmental and Legislative Affairs. Our office reviews and analyzes legislation passed at the close of each legislative session to determine the potential implications of the legislation for TWU and appropriate implementation by TWU officials.
Special Projects
Our office provides guidance, counsel, advice, and assistance to University divisions, departments, and units on initiatives and other projects that arise within the TWU community.
Sponsored Research Agreements
Our office works closely with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs in reviewing academic research agreements for legal sufficiency.
Student Matters
Our office advises TWU Student Life on a broad range of issues impacting TWU’s student body.
Subpoenas and Records Requests
OGC is responsible for responding to subpoenas served on all TWU departments. Departments that receive a subpoena or records request related to matters within their unit should date-stamp the front of the subpoena and forward it to our office.
Title VI
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits the discrimination against individuals on the basis of race, color, or national origin in any program or activity that receives Federal funds or other Federal financial assistance. Our office supports and provides legal guidance to appropriate TWU offices and officials to ensure compliance with Title VI. TWU’s nondiscrimination policies are outlined in Regent Policy: B.20000 and URP: 05.100.
Title VII
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it unlawful to discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity) or religion. Our office supports and provides legal guidance to appropriate TWU offices and officials to ensure compliance with Title VII. TWU’s nondiscrimination policies are outlined in Regent Policy: B.20000 and URP: 05.100.
Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Our office supports and provides legal guidance to appropriate TWU offices and officials to ensure compliance with Title IX. TWU’s Title IX and Sexual Misconduct policies are outlined in Regent Policy: B.20000, Regent Policy: B.20010, URP: 01.220, and URP: 01.225.
University Policy
Our office provides advice and counsel to the Board of Regents in developing and maintaining Regent Policies. Our office also provides advice and counsel to TWU Administration regarding University Regulations and Procedures.
Page last updated 9:38 AM, December 21, 2023