Faculty members at Texas A&M University were informed this week that approximately 200 courses within the College of Arts and Sciences may be impacted by a newly instituted policy that limits classroom discussions surrounding race and gender. The enforcement of this policy has already resulted in administrators instructing a philosophy professor to omit readings from Plato in a core course.
These changes are being implemented just days before the new semester commences, following some students’ registration for classes.
Emails obtained by Texas Tribune from college administrators reveal that the policy has prompted the cancellation or renumbering of courses to exclude them from core curriculum credit. Professors have been directed to modify course content or instruct entirely different classes.
In November, the Texas A&M System Board of Regents adopted a policy requiring campus presidents to approve any courses that might be perceived as promoting “race and gender ideology” or related to sexual orientation or gender identity. This decision came in response to a student’s covert recording of a professor discussing gender identity in a children’s literature class, which subsequently gained traction on social media and incited a conservative backlash.
A revision to the policy in December prohibited most discussions on these topics in introductory or core curriculum courses unless deemed necessary for educational purposes and explicitly approved by administrators. This initiated a swift review of courses ahead of the spring semester, which begins on January 12.
Recent communications from college administrators indicate that an introductory sociology course titled “Race and Ethnicity” has been canceled, while a communications course focused on religion and the arts was renumbered and stripped of its core curriculum designation. Additionally, a philosophy professor was instructed to eliminate Plato readings and other materials related to race and gender from a core course or risk reassignment.
In a message sent to students enrolled in SOCI 217, Introduction to Race and Ethnicity, administrators stated they had “carefully considered” the course’s compliance with the revised policy and concluded it could not be taught in its current format. The message acknowledged that students registered for various reasons and offered those with a “demonstrable need” to fulfill degree or career requirements the option of pursuing the course through independent study.
Previously, the Introduction to Race and Ethnicity course had faced scrutiny. Texas Scorecard, a conservative publication popular among Texas Republicans and A&M regents, published critiques of the course and its assigned readings in September and October, specifically naming the professor.
In another instance, Professor Martin Peterson submitted his syllabus for PHIL 111, Contemporary Moral Issues, for review on December 22. On Tuesday, his department head presented him with two choices: eliminate the modules on race and gender ideology, including Plato’s readings, or be reassigned to teach a non-core philosophy course. The deadline for Peterson to make a decision was set for the end of business on Wednesday.
Peterson indicated he would adjust the syllabus, planning to substitute the Plato readings with lectures on free speech and academic freedom.
In a statement, Texas A&M clarified that the directive does not constitute a ban on teaching Plato, noting that other sections of the same course that include Plato but exclude modules on race and gender ideology have received approval.
The alterations to the courses mentioned in the emails followed a broader review process, which Interim Dean Simon North addressed during a meeting with several faculty members on Monday.
Three faculty members present at the meeting reported that North indicated the college had identified around 200 courses as potentially subject to the new policy restrictions.
Andrew Klein, another faculty member who attended the meeting but could not recall the exact number of affected courses, believed the count was preliminary, as departments were working under varying deadlines to submit syllabi for review.
Faculty were informed that some departments were renumbering courses to remove them from the core curriculum, even for classes with students already enrolled this semester. Others would need to eliminate readings or discussion topics, according to Sally Robinson, a professor who participated in the meeting.
Faculty can request exemptions if they demonstrate that discussions of race and gender are integral to their curricula. Robinson noted that North estimated the college would seek exemptions for about 30 courses, which the university will need to approve or deny in the upcoming weeks.
“Everyone is worried about students and about what’s going to happen next week,” Robinson remarked, adding that she is seeking exemptions for two of her own courses. “It’s unclear to us, and I think it’s unclear to the college as well, how those decisions are going to get made and who actually is going to make them.”
The Tribune attempted to contact North via voicemail and email for further clarification but did not receive a response. Two associate deans also did not reply to inquiries.
Peterson expressed that the directive undermines the fundamental purpose of a university as a space for open inquiry and debate. “Plato founded the Academy, the very first university,” he stated. “If we cannot freely discuss Plato, we no longer have a university.”
The Texas A&M Chapter of the American Association of University Professors and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression voiced their disapproval of the policy changes. “This is what happens when the board of regents gives university bureaucrats veto power over academic content,” commented Lindsie Rank, director of campus rights advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. “The board didn’t just invite censorship; they unleashed it with immediate and predictable consequences.”
The College of Arts and Sciences is one of 17 academic divisions at Texas A&M University in College Station, the flagship campus, which includes 11 other universities operating under the same policy.
Other public university systems in Texas are implementing similar measures. The Texas Tech University System now prohibits certain race- or sex-related course content unless it is essential for licensing, certification, or patient care, while Texas State University administrators have encouraged professors to modify course descriptions and titles they consider ideological.
Are political or cultural shifts prompting curriculum or policy changes at your college that Texans should be aware of? Tips can be sent to higher education reporter Jessica Priest at jessica.priest@texastribune.org or via Signal at @jessicapriest.79.
