Texas A&M’s Policy Bans Race, Gender Topics Across 12 Campuses
The Texas A&M University System bars professors at all 12 of its universities from “advocating” race or gender ideology or teaching topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity. The policy requires presidential approval to address those subjects in certain courses and, according to a new federal lawsuit, prohibits them entirely in core curriculum courses.
Four professors filed suit in federal court in Houston on Monday, joined by the American Association of University Professors. The plaintiffs are Texas A&M professors Leonard Bright, Vanita Reddy, and Landon Sadler, and Tarleton State University professor Aaron George. They are represented by the ACLU of Texas, the national ACLU, and the Houston law firm Yetter Coleman.
The Lawsuit Alleges First Amendment Violations and Unconstitutional Vagueness
The lawsuit asks a federal judge to block the policy, reinstate courses canceled under it, and declare the restrictions unconstitutional. The professors argue the policy violates their First Amendment rights and is so vague that faculty cannot determine what they may teach without risking discipline.
“[The policy] cen[ters]…”
Chloe Kempf, ACLU of Texas staff attorney (quote truncated in source; full statement available at texastribune.org)
The system’s vice chancellor for marketing and communications, Chris Bryan, said the system would “vigorously defend its policies and procedures” and called the lawsuit “without merit.”
What the Policy Does to Classrooms
Canceled courses and removed readings are not abstract harms. When core curriculum courses are stripped of material about race, gender, and sexuality, students across all 12 campuses lose access to those subjects as part of their required education. Faculty face discipline for teaching material that the policy does not clearly define as prohibited, which is the vagueness claim at the center of the suit.
Texas A&M is one of the largest university systems in the country, serving more than 150,000 students. A ruling against the system would set precedent for similar restrictions being adopted or considered at public universities in other Republican-controlled states.
What You Can Do Now
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Contact the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents at (979) 458-6000 and tell them the teaching restrictions violate faculty First Amendment rights and harm students. The regents have direct authority over the policies named in the lawsuit.
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Contact your U.S. representative and senators at (202) 224-3121 and ask them to support federal academic freedom protections that prevent state systems from restricting curriculum by political category. Name the Texas A&M case specifically.
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Contact the Texas State Board of Education at (512) 463-9734 or sboesupport@tea.texas.gov and ask them to oppose extending similar content restrictions from K-12 into the state’s public university system.
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Follow the case through the ACLU of Texas at aclutx.org. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Houston. Sign up for case updates to know when hearings are scheduled and when public comment may be relevant.
Sources
Texas Tribune: Professors Sue Texas A&M System Over Race and Gender Teaching Limits ACLU of Texas: Academic Freedom and First Amendment Litigation American Association of University Professors: Academic Freedom Policy Resources