Texas Tech Implements Controversial Rules on Teaching Race and Gender Topics
New Restrictions and Approval Processes for Faculty
Texas Tech University System’s new Chancellor, Brandon Creighton, has introduced stringent guidelines affecting how professors can discuss topics of race, gender identity, and sexual orientation in their classrooms. According to a memo sent to university presidents on Monday, instructors are now prohibited from promoting certain concepts, including the idea that “one race or sex is inherently superior to another” or that “individuals bear responsibility or guilt for actions of others of the same race or sex.” The definition of “promotion” in this context refers to presenting these beliefs as correct or required, rather than analyzing them as one perspective among many. Faculty who fail to comply with these new restrictions could potentially face disciplinary action, creating a climate of uncertainty among educators.
The Approval Process and Its Implications
The new policy institutes a complex approval process for course content touching on restricted topics. Faculty must now determine whether material is relevant and necessary, then check if it’s required for professional licensure or certification. If the content doesn’t meet these criteria, instructors must submit it through a chain of approvals – from department chairs to deans to provosts – and ultimately to the Board of Regents for final authorization. Creighton characterized these changes as providing “clarity, consistency and guardrails that protect academic excellence.” However, the multi-tiered approval system has raised concerns about bureaucratic delays and potential censorship, with many educators questioning whether politically appointed regents should have final say over academic content.
Faculty Response and Resignation
The new restrictions have already prompted strong reactions from faculty members. Kelli Cargile Cook, a professor emeritus who founded Texas Tech’s Department of Professional Communication, decided to cancel her planned spring class and resign instead. “I’ve been teaching since 1981 and this was going to be my last class. I was so looking forward to working with the seniors in our major, but I can’t stomach what’s going on at Texas Tech,” she explained to The Associated Press. Cook expressed particular concern about the memo’s characterization of certain race and sex concepts as merely “one viewpoint among many,” arguing this approach treats established historical facts as debatable perspectives. She believes allowing politically appointed regents without academic credentials to approve curriculum represents a “slippery slope” for academic freedom.
Historical Context and Legislative Background
This policy change represents Creighton’s first major action since taking over as chancellor last month following Tedd L. Mitchell’s retirement. The memo describes these new requirements as the “first step” in implementing Senate Bill 37, which Creighton himself authored before resigning from the Texas Senate to head the Texas Tech System. This law mandates regents to conduct comprehensive reviews of undergraduate graduation requirements to ensure they prepare students for civic and professional life while reflecting Texas’ workforce needs. The new restrictions follow a pattern of similar actions across Texas universities after a controversial viral video of a Texas A&M professor teaching about gender identity led to public criticism from conservatives, the professor’s firing, and eventually the university president’s resignation.
Previous Actions and System-Wide Impact
The Texas Tech University System’s new policies follow similar measures implemented at other Texas institutions. Angelo State University, part of the Texas Tech system, had already quietly directed faculty in September to halt discussions of transgender identities in class. Former Chancellor Mitchell had previously issued a system-wide directive requiring faculty to comply with an executive order from then-President Donald Trump, a letter from Governor Greg Abbott, and House Bill 229, which only recognizes male and female sexes. These directives reportedly forced professors to delay lessons, eliminate terms like “transgender,” and engage in self-censorship. While Texas A&M University System approved a similar policy last month requiring campus presidents to approve courses discussing race and gender ideology or topics related to sexual orientation, Texas Tech’s new approach appears more restrictive with its formal approval process culminating with the Board of Regents.
Academic Freedom Concerns and Criticism
The new policies have drawn significant criticism from academic freedom advocates. Andrew Martin, president of the Texas Tech chapter of the American Association of University Professors, described the memo as a “profound disappointment,” expressing that the academic community had hoped Creighton would recognize “that academic freedom is a freedom we all share, one that is foundational to a free society.” Martin contends that the new rules violate First Amendment rights, harm transgender students and colleagues, and misrepresent existing laws. These concerns reflect broader tensions in higher education nationwide, where discussions about what can be taught in classrooms increasingly intersect with political debates about race, gender, and identity. As Texas Tech implements these changes ahead of the spring semester, many faculty members face difficult decisions about how to adapt their teaching while maintaining academic integrity.
