COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M University System regents on Thursday required professors to receive approval from the school president to discuss some race and gender topics, tightening rules months after a viral video of a student confronting an instructor over her lessons threw the flagship campus into upheaval.
The new policy will apply to all 12 schools within the system, including at Texas A&M, one of the largest universities in the country. The policy states that no academic course 'will advocate race or gender ideology, or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity' unless approved in advance by a campus president. It appears to be the first time a public university system in Texas has implemented rules limiting faculty discussions on race and gender. Similar restrictions are being imposed across other university systems in the state following a new state law.
Critics argue that such policies inhibit education, undermine academic freedom, and raise First Amendment concerns. 'It really strikes at the heart of what education means and what universities do, which is circulate the exchange of knowledge without fear or retaliation or censorship,' said Rana Jaleel, chair of the American Association of University Professors’ committee on academic freedom.
Various university presidents across the nation have been scrutinized for their handling of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices amid political pressures and protests. In a recent incident, Texas A&M's policy revision follows the controversial firing of Melissa McCoul, a lecturer involved in a dispute over gender identity topics in her class, which resulted in political pressure from Republican lawmakers, including Governor Greg Abbott. Following the incident and surrounding pressure, Mark A. Welsh III, then president of the university, resigned.
During a regents meeting, eight Texas A&M professors voiced opposition to the new policy, emphasizing the importance of factual and honest education. Proponents of the policy argue that it aims to ensure education remains objective rather than advocacy-based.
This move aligns with a broader trend where some Texas universities reassess their curriculum in light of recent laws banning discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 schools. Texas A&M is located in College Station, about 95 miles north of Houston.
The new policy will apply to all 12 schools within the system, including at Texas A&M, one of the largest universities in the country. The policy states that no academic course 'will advocate race or gender ideology, or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity' unless approved in advance by a campus president. It appears to be the first time a public university system in Texas has implemented rules limiting faculty discussions on race and gender. Similar restrictions are being imposed across other university systems in the state following a new state law.
Critics argue that such policies inhibit education, undermine academic freedom, and raise First Amendment concerns. 'It really strikes at the heart of what education means and what universities do, which is circulate the exchange of knowledge without fear or retaliation or censorship,' said Rana Jaleel, chair of the American Association of University Professors’ committee on academic freedom.
Various university presidents across the nation have been scrutinized for their handling of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices amid political pressures and protests. In a recent incident, Texas A&M's policy revision follows the controversial firing of Melissa McCoul, a lecturer involved in a dispute over gender identity topics in her class, which resulted in political pressure from Republican lawmakers, including Governor Greg Abbott. Following the incident and surrounding pressure, Mark A. Welsh III, then president of the university, resigned.
During a regents meeting, eight Texas A&M professors voiced opposition to the new policy, emphasizing the importance of factual and honest education. Proponents of the policy argue that it aims to ensure education remains objective rather than advocacy-based.
This move aligns with a broader trend where some Texas universities reassess their curriculum in light of recent laws banning discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 schools. Texas A&M is located in College Station, about 95 miles north of Houston.
