President James Crawford told the Senate Finance Committee that Texas Southern University is asking the Legislature for one‑time capital support to address an urgent law‑school facility shortfall and separate funding to modernize its aviation program.

Crawford, who told senators “I come before you today to discuss the Texas Southern University appropriations request for this biennium cycle,” asked lawmakers to consider a $120,000,000 capital project — presented as debt issuance but, he said, appropriate for a one‑time appropriation — to replace or substantially rebuild the Thurgood Marshall School of Law facility. He told the committee that an American Bar Association review had identified the current law building as not meeting accreditation standards and cited mold and flooding problems.

The appeal followed a report Crawford said the university commissioned showing the law school’s 10‑year average enrollment at about 550 students and a feasibility study that estimates growth to 650 students if facilities are upgraded. Crawford offered several accountability measures he said the university would accept if the Legislature approved a significant appropriation, including quarterly reporting and project management support from the Texas Facilities Commission.

Nut graf: The request comes as Crawford highlighted student success improvements — including a nine‑percentage‑point rise in first‑time freshman fall‑to‑fall persistence — and expanding research grants, but he told the committee aging facilities and deferred maintenance are limiting program growth and accreditation compliance. He specifically asked the committee to treat the law facility need as exigent, recommending a one‑time appropriation and oversight provisions.

On aviation, Crawford said Texas Southern’s aviation program at Ellington Field now operates 10 aging aircraft — “40 years old” — and he asked senators for $7,500,000 to replace the fleet to support program growth and industry alignment. He said the program has 10 aircraft today and needs a 12‑aircraft fleet with modern avionics, and that the university secured a $5,000,000 local commitment for a hangar. Crawford said the university plans to include maintenance coverage for the first five years in the acquisition plan.

Crawford also described the Tiger Promise, a packaged financial aid initiative launched in December to assist Texas residents with mandatory fees and tuition using existing campus resources; he noted the program aimed to strengthen completion rates and that about 800 students earned “Tiger Stripes” in 2024 for academic achievement.

Campus security and cybersecurity were another appropriations theme. Crawford said the loss of institutional enhancement funding reduced Texas Southern’s campus security and cybersecurity investments and put $13.7 million of services at risk; he asked the committee to consider restoration or replacement funding that aligns with the university’s stewardship standards.

Ending: Crawford concluded by offering to provide written details about health and safety issues in the law school and feasibility‑study materials, and he said the university would work with the committee on accountability measures if one‑time capital assistance were approved.