Advocacy groups say the new state law, presidential executive order and gubernatorial letter Tedd Mitchell cited do not prohibit classroom discussions of particular LGBTQ+ identities.
The Texas Tech University's administration building on July 8, 2020. The Texas Tech University System issued guidance Thursday instructing faculty to comply with recent executive orders and state laws recognizing only the male and female genders.
Texas Tech University System Chancellor Tedd Mitchell restricted the discussion of transgender and nonbinary identities during classroom instruction across the system’s five universities, The letter makes Tech the state’s first university system to issue such limits. Mitchell didn’t explicitly detail what can and cannot be acknowledged in academic discussions or curriculum. He instructed university presidents to ensure faculty follow a presidential executive order recognizing only male and female sexes, Gov. Greg Abbott’s letter directing state agencies to “reject woke gender ideologies” and a new state law that requires a strict binary definition of gender for the collection of vital statistics. “While recognizing the First Amendment rights of employees in their personal capacity, faculty must comply with these laws in the instruction of students, within the course and scope of their employment,” Chancellor Tedd Mitchell wrote in a memo Friday.Groups like ACLU Texas and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression say none of the measures Mitchell cited prohibit teaching about transgender identity and have warned that ASU’s restrictions undermine academic freedom.of his successor, state Sen. Brandon Creighton. His letter asked presidents to review course materials, syllabi and curricula and make “timely adjustments where needed.” He called the issue “a developing area of law,” noting that accrediting bodies, such as the American Psychological Association, are beginning to work with universities on how to balance educational commitments with legal requirements.An unexpected adventure awaits.Are political or cultural shifts spurring curriculum or policy changes on your college campus that Texans need to know about?Disclosure: ACLU Texas and Texas Tech University System have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete, anchor of CNN’s “The Lead” and “State of the Union” at the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin.I believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone. We need your help, though. With no paywall, we fund our reporting through the generosity of our readers. Our Fall Member Drive is happening now. When you support our newsroom, you will ensure that everyone in Texas — no matter their ability to pay — will have access to trusted journalism.
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Texas Tech chancellor limits academic mentions of transgender and nonbinary identities at five universitiesAdvocacy groups say the new state law, presidential executive order and gubernatorial letter Tedd Mitchell cited do not prohibit classroom discussions of particular LGBTQ+ identities.
Read more »
Texas Tech chancellor limits academic mentions of transgender and nonbinary identities at five universitiesAdvocacy groups say the new state law, presidential executive order and gubernatorial letter Tedd Mitchell cited do not prohibit classroom discussions of particular LGBTQ+ identities.
Read more »