Texas, October 4, 2025
News Summary
Following a viral confrontation between a student and a professor at Texas A&M University regarding gender identity instruction, Texas public universities have initiated reviews of their course materials. This move comes after high-profile personnel changes, including the firing of the professor and the resignation of the university president. Several institutions are aligning their curricula with state laws recognizing only two genders. Concerns have been raised about academic freedom as faculty grapple with potentially restrictive directives.
Austin, Texas — Statewide public universities in Texas have launched reviews of course offerings after a controversy over classroom instruction about gender identity led to high-profile personnel changes and new directives from university systems and state leaders.
Top facts and immediate developments
A viral video of a Texas A&M University student confronting a professor about gender identity content sparked widespread scrutiny within Texas higher education. Following the video, Texas A&M University fired the professor, Melissa McCoul, and former university President Mark A. Welsh III resigned under pressure. In response to the controversy, several Texas public universities and systems ordered systematic reviews of course materials to ensure compliance with state and federal directives.
System and institutional directives
The Texas Tech University System issued guidance ordering faculty to ensure that courses comply with laws recognizing only two sexes, as outlined in a federal executive order and directives from Governor Greg Abbott. The directive from Texas Tech included instructions to review course materials for compliance and to make necessary adjustments.
Public universities, including the University of North Texas (UNT), the University of Texas (UT), and Texas Woman’s University (TWU), have ordered reviews but did not specify which laws triggered these actions. Other institutions, including Angelo State University within the Texas Tech system, have started restricting the discussion of transgender identities in classrooms. San Jacinto College has also instructed faculty to review course content for alignment with state and federal expectations.
Scope and stated rationale
Universities framing the effort say the reviews seek to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. The review process across universities is associated with Senate Bill 37, which mandates curriculum reviews to ensure they prepare students for civic and professional life. Public university systems have begun audits to align course offerings with the respective governing laws and executive orders, including the recognition of two genders as mandated by recent legislation.
Reactions from faculty and advocates
Faculty and LGBTQ+ advocates express concerns that these directives will limit discussions on transgender and nonbinary identities, threatening academic freedom. Reports suggest a chilling effect on academic discourse with faculty uncertain about what content may be deemed noncompliant.
The Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors released a statement defending academic freedom and condemning censorship. Responses from university officials to these changes indicate a lack of clarity on how compliance will be enforced, leaving many faculty fearful of potential repercussions for academic content related to gender identity.
Related institutional changes and impacts
Texas A&M faced backlash for censoring LGBTQ programs and diversity initiatives, including the closure of its LGBTQ+ Pride Center and suspension of transition-related medical care for transgender students. These actions contributed to the broader scrutiny and the sequence of university reviews and policy directives.
What to expect next
Universities will continue course-by-course reviews and system-level audits. The process includes faculty reviews of syllabi, reading lists, lecture content, and assignments for compliance, and systems have instructed that necessary adjustments be made where materials are judged noncompliant. The exact enforcement mechanisms and potential sanctions remain unclear at many institutions.
Background context
The controversy began with classroom-level disagreement captured on video and escalated into systemwide policy responses at multiple public universities. State legislation and executive directives have increased scrutiny of higher education content related to gender identity. At the same time, faculty governance bodies and academic freedom advocates are challenging broad interpretations that could restrict classroom discussion and scholarship.
Who is affected
- Faculty at public universities and community colleges instructed to review and possibly revise course content.
- Students whose coursework and campus services related to LGBTQ+ topics have already been altered at some institutions.
- University administrators implementing system and state directives while navigating legal and public scrutiny.
FAQ
What sparked the review?
A viral video of a Texas A&M University student confronting a professor about gender identity content sparked widespread scrutiny within Texas higher education.
What happened at Texas A&M after the video?
Following the video, Texas A&M University fired the professor, Melissa McCoul, and former university President Mark A. Welsh III resigned under pressure.
What directives did Texas Tech issue?
The Texas Tech University System issued guidance ordering faculty to ensure that courses comply with laws recognizing only two sexes, as outlined in a federal executive order and directives from Governor Greg Abbott.
Which other institutions ordered course reviews?
Public universities, including the University of North Texas (UNT), the University of Texas (UT), and Texas Woman’s University (TWU), have ordered reviews but did not specify which laws triggered these actions.
Is this connected to legislation?
The review process across universities is associated with Senate Bill 37, which mandates curriculum reviews to ensure they prepare students for civic and professional life.
Have any colleges outside universities taken action?
San Jacinto College has also instructed faculty to review course content for alignment with state and federal expectations.
Are there reports of impacts on campus programs?
Texas A&M faced backlash for censoring LGBTQ programs and diversity initiatives, including the closure of its LGBTQ+ Pride Center and suspension of transition-related medical care for transgender students.
What do faculty and advocates say?
Faculty and LGBTQ+ advocates express concerns that these directives will limit discussions on transgender and nonbinary identities, threatening academic freedom.
Key features
| Feature | Status / Detail |
|---|---|
| Triggering incident | A viral video of a Texas A&M University student confronting a professor about gender identity content sparked widespread scrutiny within Texas higher education. |
| Personnel changes | Following the video, Texas A&M University fired the professor, Melissa McCoul, and former university President Mark A. Welsh III resigned under pressure. |
| System directives | The Texas Tech University System issued guidance ordering faculty to ensure that courses comply with laws recognizing only two sexes, as outlined in a federal executive order and directives from Governor Greg Abbott. |
| Institutional reviews | Public universities, including the University of North Texas (UNT), the University of Texas (UT), and Texas Woman’s University (TWU), have ordered reviews but did not specify which laws triggered these actions. |
| Legislative link | The review process across universities is associated with Senate Bill 37, which mandates curriculum reviews to ensure they prepare students for civic and professional life. |
| Reported impacts | Texas A&M faced backlash for censoring LGBTQ programs and diversity initiatives, including the closure of its LGBTQ+ Pride Center and suspension of transition-related medical care for transgender students. |
| Concerns | Faculty and LGBTQ+ advocates express concerns that these directives will limit discussions on transgender and nonbinary identities, threatening academic freedom. |
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Additional Resources
- KXAN: Texas Universities Launch Course Reviews Amid Push to Limit Gender Identity Instruction
- NBC News: Texas A&M Fires Professor Over Gender Identity Lesson
- Statesman: UT System Audits Gender Courses as GOP Targets Curriculum
- The Conversation: McCarthyism’s Shadow Looms Over Firing of Texas Professor
- Advocate: Texas Universities Conduct Audits on Gender Identity Instruction
- Wikipedia: Gender Identity
- Google Search: Texas Gender Identity Education Issues
- Google Scholar: Gender Identity Education in Texas
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gender Identity
- Google News: Texas Gender Identity Education
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DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
