Unions Condemn Texas A&M for Teaching Restrictions on Race, Gender

Texas A&M Board of Regents Decision Sparks Criticism from Education Leaders

COLLEGE STATION, Texas— In a recent decision, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has voted to impose restrictions on how instructors can address topics related to race and gender ideology. This move has drawn sharp criticism from key figures in the education sector.

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and Todd Wolfson, President of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), have publicly denounced the board's actions. These unions are two of the largest in the country, representing a significant portion of higher education personnel.

The decision aligns with previous initiatives from the Trump administration, which offered loyalty oath compacts intended to provide universities with preferential treatment in return for compliance with specific ideological stances.

AFT President Weingarten commented, “This is censorship plain and simple; it’s what is done by those who fear knowledge and a well-educated citizenry. And sadly, the powers that be in Texas appear to fear knowledge. Instead of standing up against political attacks and maintaining institutional integrity, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents is aiding and abetting Trump’s agenda for higher education. We must continue to foster a culture where critical thinking and debate are welcomed, where instructors can teach without fear or limitations, where students can be exposed to a diverse range of ideas, and where society can continue to grow and innovate for future generations.”

Echoing these sentiments, AAUP President Wolfson stated, “The notion that politicians or high-level administrators can dictate what can be taught, researched, discussed or debated in a college classroom is fundamentally at odds with what higher education is about. Texas A&M is effectively sacrificing free inquiry and the open exploration of ideas to a narrow, restricted partisan ideological perspective. In essence, this is an attempt at thought control. This will lead to classroom censorship of the free exchange of knowledge at Texas A&M, which will do great damage to the educational value for students.”

For Wolfson's complete remarks to the Texas A&M Board of Regents, click here.

# # # #

The AFT encompasses 1.8 million members, including educators from pre-K through 12th grade, paraprofessionals, higher education faculty, government employees, healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.