TSU officials refuse to release documents on admissions scandal
Texas Southern University officials have refused to provide key documents related to the admissions scandal that toppled two top administrators — despite a ruling by the Texas attorney general’s office that the records should be released.
The attorney general, which weighs in on appeals by government agencies seeking to withhold information, told TSU this week to release its investigation into the school’s admissions process and other records sought by the Houston Chronicle under the Texas Public Information Act. TSU officials said Friday that they are considering filing a lawsuit against the attorney general’s office, which is permitted under state law when agencies disagree with a ruling.
TSU lawyer Timothy Stewart said school officials plan to meet Monday morning to discuss the matter, saying a lawsuit might give the school “a better chance at a real review” before a judge.
“We wouldn’t do it for the purpose of delays,” Stewart said.
Public agencies that file such cases can spend thousands of dollars on legal fees.
The records could offer new details about an investigation that was announced on Nov. 18 by the board of regents, who announced that “improprieties” had been uncovered in TSU’s admissions process.
After the board later put thenPresident Austin Lane on paid leave with no explanation, the regents sent him a termination letter alleging that he had failed to inform the board about “fraudulent and dishonest activities” at TSU’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
Lane said he did nothing wrong and accused the board of hijacking an investigation by the school’s internal auditor that was already underway. Lane parted ways with TSU last week after reaching a settlement in which he admitted no wrongdoing and received $879,000.
An assistant dean of admissions was either fired or had
been forced to resign — officials have given contradictory statements about his departure from the university.
TSU has provided few details of what its internal auditors uncovered. Regent Marc Carter said there are multiple inquiries that are still underway.
“Until they are finalized they are work product and we risk putting out unverified audits that have errors,” Carter said in a written statement. “It is my understanding that these will be finalized very soon. It has always been our intention to release final reports to the public.”
Regent Ron Price stated that he couldn’t comment on TSU’s refusal to release any audits because he did not have enough information about it.
“I haven’t been presented with the evidence or any information,” Price said. “It’s eye-opening to me. … Quite frankly, I’m looking forward to seeing it.”
Regent Marilyn Rose said she was unaware of the attorney general’s ruling and the possibility that TSU might try to withhold the information.
Lawyer Sharesa Alexander, who is acting as board counsel, had previously stated that the audit was available and she would send it to a Chronicle reporter, but she never did. Alexander has not replied to multiple requests to comment or supply the audit.
TSU has also sent a preliminary summary of its investigation to the Texas State Auditor’s Office. After the Chronicle requested a copy of that document and the attorney general’s office ruled that it should be made public, TSU’s general counsel, Hao Le, contacted the state agency and asked for a delay in releasing it until TSU decides whether to go to court.
“There’s going to be a decision Monday,” Le said, adding: “I’m going to advise the clients and they’re going to do what they’re going to do.”