COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — In a move that has sparked controversy, the Texas A&M University System's regents have mandated that professors must obtain permission from the school president to engage in discussions regarding race and gender topics. This policy change comes in the wake of a viral incident where a student confronted an instructor over classroom content, which prompted significant upheaval at the university.
The regulations apply to all 12 institutions within the Texas A&M System, one of the largest university systems in the United States. Under the new policy, no academic course is permitted to advocate for race or gender ideology, or discuss topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity without prior approval from the campus president.
This new regulation appears to mark the first time a public university system in Texas has implemented restrictions on what faculty can address in their classrooms concerning race and gender. Similar trends have been observed across other university systems in Texas, where many have initiated internal reviews of their courses or imposed restrictions following the enactment of a new state law.
Critics argue that the policy may undermine academic freedom and infringe on First Amendment rights, hindering faculty's ability to teach comprehensively. Rana Jaleel, chair of the American Association of University Professors’ committee on academic freedom, criticized the policy, stating that it contradicts the educational mission of universities to foster an open exchange of knowledge.
In addition, the policy defines race ideology as concepts that attribute guilt to specific races or ethnicities based on historical actions, while gender ideology refers to self-assessed gender identity detached from biological sex. James Hallmark, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, emphasized that the intent of the policy is to ensure documented transparency in curriculum review rather than monitor individual speech.
The policy was influenced by political pressures following the dismissal of Melissa McCoul, a senior lecturer at Texas A&M, after a contentious classroom encounter regarding discussions about gender identity in children’s literature. Her termination was perceived by many as a reaction to heightened political scrutiny from state lawmakers.
During the regents meeting, eight Texas A&M faculty members voiced their dissent against the newly adopted policy, arguing it jeopardizes the integrity of academic discourse. Proponents, however, contend that the policy is necessary to maintain a clear distinction between education and advocacy in the classroom.
The implementation of this policy reflects a broader trend across numerous universities nationwide where academic freedom, diversity, and inclusion practices are increasingly under scrutiny by conservative critics and political figures. With Texas Governor Greg Abbott among the notable critics, the university's leadership faces intense pressure regarding its stance on these pivotal subjects.
