Public universities across Texas are eliminating or rewriting hundreds of classes as new state laws restrict how race and gender can be discussed in the classroom, affecting thousands of students returning for the spring semester.
At a Glance
- Texas A&M University has canceled or revised multiple courses dealing with race and gender
- The changes follow legislation authored by Brandon Creighton, now Texas Tech University System chancellor
- Creighton said students interested in gender studies should “look elsewhere”
- Most major university system leaders in Texas are former Republican lawmakers
- Why it matters: Students starting classes next week will encounter altered curricula that limit discussion of diversity topics
Texas A&M is among the most visible examples of the curriculum overhaul. According to reporting by the Texas Tribune and The New York Times, the university has canceled several courses and revised many others to remove or limit content on race and gender. Similar changes are taking place at universities statewide.
Dr. Leonard Bright, a professor at Texas A&M, said the shift reflects broader power dynamics in higher education.
“That is what higher education is, challenging students with a range of viewpoints. I mean, I would be more concerned if one viewpoint was being discussed. When there’s other viewpoints there, they should learn. That is where we should be concerned,” Bright said.
The individual behind the new law is Brandon Creighton, now serving as chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. Creighton authored the legislation earlier in his role as a state legislator. He recently issued a memo directing the university system to comply with the law regarding how professors handle courses on race and gender.
Creighton said curricula will undergo review to determine whether courses are of value and if they are necessary to earn a degree, license or credential. He made clear his position on certain fields of study.
“They can pursue any other learning avenue or path online or within some other medium that they choose to. But no,” Creighton said regarding students interested in gender studies.
The curriculum overhaul follows the resignation of Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III. Welsh announced in September 2025 he was stepping down after the firing of a professor who was secretly recorded during a children’s literature class.
Students across the state are set to begin the new semester next week amid what some see as a shifting political landscape in higher education leadership. Many chancellors at major Texas university systems – including the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Texas State University – are former Republican lawmakers.
Key Takeaways
- Hundreds of courses are being canceled or revised at Texas public universities
- The changes specifically target content related to race and gender
- New leadership at Texas Tech is directly tied to the original legislation
- Students will face limited course options in diversity-related fields
- The moves represent a broader political shift in Texas higher education oversight
