College Station, September 10, 2025
News Summary
The Texas A&M University System ordered a systemwide audit of courses after conservative backlash over a gender identity lesson. Following a controversial video, the involved professor was terminated, and key administrative figures were removed. The Board of Regents demanded a review to uphold academic standards and prevent further incidents, drawing federal attention for potential civil rights implications. The unfolding situation raises significant concerns about academic freedom and political influence in education.
College Station
Audit ordered systemwide and faculty removed after backlash over gender identity lesson
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents ordered a systemwide audit of courses at all 12 schools on July 7, 2020 following conservative backlash over a university course that included instruction on gender identity. Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III directed the immediate firing of the professor involved and removed the dean and the department head from their administrative positions after finding that teaching content had been approved that was inconsistent with the course description.
What happened and immediate actions
System leaders initiated an audit across the entire Texas A&M system after a student’s video of a classroom interaction circulated on social media. The video was posted by State Representative Brian Harrison on X and showed a student challenging classroom material on gender and sexuality, citing a belief in two genders associated with then-President Donald Trump. The student raised concerns based on legal and religious grounds and was subsequently removed from the class.
Governor Greg Abbott publicly called for the professor’s termination, asserting that the instructor’s actions were contrary to Texas law, while the specific statute referenced was not identified. Chancellor Glenn Hegar expanded the scope of the review to all Texas A&M universities and affirmed support for the president’s personnel actions. The Board of Regents characterized the incident as damaging to the institution’s reputation and demanded decisive steps to prevent similar incidents.
Administrative findings and personnel changes
University administrators concluded that teaching materials and classroom content deviated from the approved course description in the university catalog. President Welsh emphasized that students rely on the course catalog to make informed decisions about their education and framed the personnel moves as an enforcement of academic responsibility and curriculum compliance. As a result of the review, the professor was terminated and the dean and department head were relieved of their administrative duties.
Federal attention and civil rights review
The U.S. Department of Justice announced plans to investigate the incident after expressions of concern from the official responsible for civil rights enforcement at the department. That federal review followed political and public scrutiny and signaled a potential legal and civil rights dimension to the dispute.
Claims and counterclaims
Supporters of the actions that prompted the audit described the classroom material as an effort to promote a particular ideology and cited concerns about indoctrination. Critics of the university’s response raised issues related to academic freedom, contending that faculty should have latitude in classroom content and scholarly discussion. System leaders, however, focused on adherence to approved course descriptions and preserving institutional standards.
Broader implications and tensions
The episode has intensified debates over curriculum oversight, academic freedom, political influence on public higher education, and how universities address sensitive topics in undergraduate courses, including children’s literature. University officials framed their response as a matter of institutional governance and transparency, while political actors framed it in legal and cultural terms. The systemwide audit aims to examine whether other courses include material that does not align with catalog descriptions and to recommend steps to prevent recurrence.
Next steps
The systemwide audit will review course content and approval processes across all 12 campuses in the Texas A&M system. University and system leaders indicated they will use audit findings to adjust oversight and accountability mechanisms. The federal inquiry by the Department of Justice will consider whether any civil rights issues are implicated. Officials stated that outcomes of both reviews could lead to policy changes, personnel actions, or further administrative steps.
FAQ
What prompted the audit?
The audit was ordered after public circulation of a video showing classroom instruction about gender identity in a children’s literature course, which prompted complaints and calls for review from state officials and the university system.
Who ordered the audit and when?
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents ordered the audit on July 7, 2020 to review courses at all 12 schools within the system.
What actions did university officials take?
Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III directed the immediate firing of the professor involved and removed the dean and department head from their administrative roles after finding that course content did not match approved descriptions.
Did state officials get involved?
Yes. A state representative posted video of the incident online, the governor called for the professor’s firing, and other state leaders publicly criticized the classroom content and urged institutional action.
Is there a federal investigation?
The U.S. Department of Justice announced plans to investigate the incident, following statements of concern from the department’s civil rights official.
What are the broader concerns?
Concerns include adherence to course catalogs, academic oversight, academic freedom, and allegations of political or ideological indoctrination in higher education.
| Feature | Details | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Audit ordered | Systemwide review of courses at all 12 schools | Ordered on July 7, 2020 |
| Professor | Involved in teaching gender identity content in children’s literature course | Terminated by university president |
| Administrative removals | Dean and department head approved inconsistent teaching content | Removed from administrative positions |
| Political response | State representative posted video; governor called for firing | Public and political scrutiny ongoing |
| Federal review | U.S. Department of Justice to investigate civil rights implications | Investigation announced |
| Main concerns | Course catalog compliance, academic freedom, alleged indoctrination | Subject of audits and reviews |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Texas A&M Board of Regents Updates and Comcast Fiber Internet Project
Additional Resources
- Fox News: Texas Lawmaker Slams Texas A&M
- NBC News: Powerball Drawing Winners
- KBTX: Dean and Professor Removed
- Wikipedia: Gender Identity
- Washington Post: Investigative Photo
- Google Search: Texas A&M University
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