Student Organizations and Executive Order GA-48

Executive Order No. GA-48 relating to the hardening of state government mandates that Texas state agencies, including public higher-education institutions such as Texas State University, take steps to safeguard critical infrastructure, systems, intellectual property, and personal information from infiltration or influence by foreign adversaries, namely: China (including Hong Kong), North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Russia, and the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

This policy is not directly applicable to student organizations as independent student clubs or organizations are not directly subject to reporting requirements because they are not the institution.

The exception is if a student club or organization's operations flow through the university. For example:

• If a student organization is formally part of the university (e.g., funded through the university's accounts, managed by the institution's foundation, or required to route funds through the university's financial system), then foreign gifts/contracts to that organization may be reportable by the university.
• If the student organization is separately incorporated (like an independent nonprofit with its own bank account), then those funds generally are not reportable, since they are not received by the institution.

If it is determined that student organizations are impacted, anticipated effects are:

• Travel to foreign adversary countries for student organization purposes is prohibited
• Funding provided by the university (including the STAR Travel Grant or Student Government funding) must not be used to purchase goods or services from a company owned or operated in or by a foreign adversary.
• Student organizations must not accept gifts, sponsorships, or donations from foreign adversaries
• Events and collaborations for cultural programs, including invited speakers from a university or company affiliated with a foreign adversary, may require additional vetting
• Student organizations must not enter collaborations with or joint projects with foreign adversaries, including foreign talent programs housed in these countries