The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board launched an ombudsman portal mandated by Senate Bill 37, creating a public channel to file complaints against state colleges and universities over alleged violations such as DEI bans and curriculum rules. Brandon Simmons, the state’s new ombudsman, emphasized collaboration but the office’s remit—five days to notify institutions and 175 days to respond—creates rapid accountability timelines for campuses. The portal follows high‑profile incidents in which faculty altered course content or were removed; trustees and provosts in Texas‑affiliated institutions now face a formal mechanism that can trigger investigations and escalate governance disputes.