COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Texas A&M University System approved a new policy Thursday requiring professors across all 12 campuses to obtain presidential approval before teaching certain subjects related to race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Regents adopted the rule months after a viral confrontation between a student and an English lecturer intensified political scrutiny on the flagship university and its leadership.
The policy bars academic courses from “advocating race or gender ideology” without prior approval and defines those concepts as theories that assign inherent guilt, depict racial hierarchies, or elevate self-assessed gender identity above biological sex. System officials say the goal is transparency, not censorship, but faculty groups sharply disagreed, warning that the rule threatens academic freedom and could violate First Amendment protections.
Rana Jaleel of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) said the change undermines core educational principles by restricting open inquiry. Several A&M faculty members, including AAUP chapter president Leonard Bright, urged regents to rehire lecturer Melissa McCoul, who was dismissed after a recorded dispute with a student over gender identity instruction. Her firing preceded the resignation of former university president Mark Welsh III, who faced political backlash from state leaders.
Two professors spoke in support of the new rule, arguing it maintains academic standards rather than limiting debate. Regents said the measure is intended to ensure education “not advocacy.” The vote comes amid broader national and statewide pressure on universities over diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
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