New Policy at Texas A&M University System

Professors at the Texas A&M University System cannot teach courses that “advocate race or gender ideology” without a campus president’s prior approval under a new policy approved Thursday. The system’s Board of Regents voted unanimously to limit how those topics, including those “related to sexual orientation or gender identity,” can be taught in classrooms. The board also approved a rule that says faculty will not be allowed to teach material that is “inconsistent with the approved syllabus” for the course.

The changes go into effect across the system’s 12 campuses next semester, which begins in January. Some professors say the move is an attack on their First Amendment rights and threatens their ability to teach historical concepts or topics involving race and gender.

Background and Purpose of the Policy

However, university officials say the policy will ensure students are learning things that align with their degree and that faculty are “educating, rather than advocating.” “Curriculum is created and approved based on the accepted body of knowledge needed for our students to be successful in their chosen profession,” Regent Sam Torn said during the meeting. “It is unacceptable for other material to be taught instead.”

The new policy comes as Republican state leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott, exercise increased influence on Texas’ public universities to eradicate what they see as liberal bias on campuses. Multiple Texas universities, including the Texas Tech System and the UT System, are reviewing gender identity content in their courses.

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Incidents Leading to the Policy

Texas A&M has come under increased scrutiny in recent months after a state lawmaker posted a video on social media of a professor discussing gender identity in her course. The incident, which Texas A&M Chancellor Glenn Hegar referred to as “indoctrination,” led to the professor’s firing and President Mark A. Welsh III’s resignation.

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Definitions and Implementation of the Policy

The new policy defines race ideology as a concept that “attempts to shame a particular race or ethnicity” and “accuse them of being oppressors.” It would also include course content that “promotes activism on issues related to race or ethnicity, rather than academic instruction.”

Gender ideology is defined as “a concept of self-assessed gender identity replacing, and disconnected from, the biological category of sex.” An earlier version of the proposed policy said faculty cannot “teach” those topics and gave a campus president or a delegate the power to review classes. The approved policy replaces “teach” with “advocate” and only a university president can sign off on a course.

Reactions to the Policy

Carolina Ramirez, a senior at Texas A&M International University who wants to be a teacher, described her sociology classes that discussed race and gender as critical preparation for her career. She worries future students will miss out on that experience under the new policy.

“How am I expected to go into a classroom and respect my students if I have no idea of the things that they can be facing, the opportunities they have, and the opportunities that they don’t have,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to fully be an educator if I’m talking to students and I’m disregarding their existence and their identities.”

Some professors opposed the limitations during public testimony Thursday, saying it would threaten the quality of education students receive and inadequately prepare them for the workforce.

“This is not university level education. It is cruelty and political indoctrination in wolf’s clothing,” said Leonard Bright, president of the Texas A&M Chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

Concerns and Questions

Opponents described the policy, and its definitions of race and gender ideology, as vague. They raised questions about its implementation, including whether teaching about an ideology in history or a student-driven discussion could be conflated with advocacy.

Miranda Sachs, a history professor, said she believed she would need permission to teach about the Holocaust under the policy because it is “an example of a particular ethnic group and citing them for something in fault in history.”

Board of Regents Chair Robert Albritton pushed back on the reading of the policy.

“I don’t think any of this policy says that none of that history happened. That does not affect this whatsoever on any subject,” he said. “It’s not the matter of discussing any of these things. It’s a matter of expressing an opinion of one way or the other, versus both sides of the equation.”

Support for the Policy

Some professors see the policy as necessary for restoring credibility and trust in Texas A&M’s universities.

Adam Kolasinski, a professor in the business school, said although he believes faculty should typically have control over what is taught in the classroom, he welcomed administrative intervention in this instance.

“Many disciplines have been so corrupted by intellectually vacuous and morally bankrupt ideologies, like what you define to be race ideology and gender ideology — ideologies masquerading as scholars that correction from the outside is necessary,” he said.

Conclusion

The new policy at Texas A&M University System has sparked debate among professors, students, and administrators. While some see it as a necessary measure to ensure academic integrity, others believe it threatens the quality of education and freedom of speech.

FAQs

Q: What is the new policy at Texas A&M University System?

A: The new policy requires professors to obtain prior approval from the campus president before teaching courses that “advocate race or gender ideology”.

Q: What topics are affected by the policy?

A: The policy affects topics related to race, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Q: Who is in charge of implementing the policy?

A: The university president is responsible for implementing the policy and approving courses that may be affected by it.

Q: What are the concerns about the policy?

A: Some professors and students are concerned that the policy threatens academic freedom, limits the discussion of important topics, and may not prepare students for the workforce.

Q: What is the purpose of the policy?

A: The policy aims to ensure that students are learning material that aligns with their degree and that faculty are “educating, rather than advocating.”