Texas Tech University System Implements New Restrictions on Race and Gender Teaching

The Texas Tech University System has enacted new restrictions on how race and gender can be discussed in classrooms, effectively banning professors from advocating for any race or sex as “inherently superior” to another. This policy was announced on November 27, 2023, and comes in the wake of similar measures implemented by the Texas A&M System the previous month. The new guidelines are intended to align with state and federal laws and will take effect immediately across all five campuses, which serve approximately 64,000 students.

Under the revised policy, faculty members are prohibited from promoting “race or sex-based prejudice.” This includes presenting beliefs as correct or pressuring students to affirm them. Additionally, professors cannot teach that there are more than two sexes, citing state law and federal policy. All course materials related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and race must now undergo a review process that involves approval from department and university leadership, as well as a regents committee.

The directive is part of a broader review initiated by the university’s board of regents concerning the educational content provided under Senate Bill 37. This law, authored by Creighton, mandates that governing bodies review the courses necessary for graduation. Previously, under a directive from former Chancellor Tedd Mitchell, Texas Tech had already restricted the teaching of gender to two categories since September 2023. Mitchell referenced a presidential executive order that recognizes only two sexes and cited guidance from Texas Governor Greg Abbott that directed state entities to adhere to this definition.

Despite these changes, there is currently no specific state law that outright bans discussions of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation in Texas public universities. The new policy explicitly states that professors cannot assert that individuals are “inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive” or that they should be discriminated against based on race or sex. Furthermore, educators are barred from teaching that individuals bear guilt or responsibility for actions committed by others of the same race or sex.

“It’s hard to call it an education if you have to just memorize what the state says is approved,”

said Greg Greubel, an attorney with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. He criticized the vagueness of the new rules, suggesting they could lead to widespread censorship and hinder academic freedom. Greubel argues that these regulations contradict the fundamental mission of educational institutions, which should foster diverse perspectives and critical thinking.

As curriculum reviews are ongoing across Texas universities, Greubel has urged students and faculty to oppose regulations that limit discussions on race and gender identity. “It’s wrong for Texas Tech to do it,” he stated, emphasizing that similar restrictions at other institutions would also be unacceptable.

The Dallas Morning News Education Lab, which focuses on critical educational issues in North Texas, provided coverage on this development, highlighting the implications of such policies on academic discourse and student education. The initiative is supported by various community organizations and aims to deepen the conversation surrounding education.

As these changes take hold, the impact on both faculty and students at Texas Tech will likely continue to evolve, raising significant questions about the future of academic freedom and the scope of discourse in higher education.