(NEW YORK)–PEN America decries a decision by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents to place unacceptable limits on the ability of faculty to teach responsibly about issues related to race and gender, further eroding the climate for free expression on campuses across the state of Texas.
On Tuesday, November 11, PEN America submitted written testimony to the Board of Regents, urging them to reject proposed revisions to their policy that would prohibit academic courses from teaching “race or gender ideology, or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity” without prior approval. The policy also stipulates that faculty must not “teach material that is inconsistent with the approved syllabus for the course.”
“Such vague and overbroad warnings are likely to deter faculty from allowing open student discussion of potentially controversial ideas, even when directly relevant to the course material,” writes Amy Reid, PEN America’s interim program director for Freedom to Learn, in her testimony. “We call on you to protect the freedom to learn of all students in the Texas A&M System.”
Despite many offering in-person or written testimony against it, the policy was adopted by a unanimous voice vote Thursday afternoon with a minor revision, swapping the word ‘advocate’ for ‘teach.’ It now reads: “No system academic course will advocate race or gender ideology, or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity, unless the course and the relevant course materials are approved in advance by the member CEO.” Replacing the verb “teach” with the verb “advocate” in no way mitigates the damage done to academic freedom in Texas and, more specifically, to the freedom to learn of Texas students. We join with our colleagues, including the Texas American Federation of Teachers and American Association of University Professors chapter, in decrying this detrimental policy that places politics above the educational interests of Texas students.
In September, following the dismissal of faculty member Dr. Melissa McCoul and the demotion of faculty administrators at Texas A&M, PEN America warned that such actions spelled the death of academic freedom in the state. This new policy is another nail in the coffin, undermining the ability of Texas A&M faculty to teach responsibly and signaling the Board’s disregard for free expression and education.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Malka Margolies, [email protected], 989-383-1856