Approximately 15 students at Texas A&M University at Galveston protested on Wednesday morning. Their demonstration focused on the perceived forced resignation of former university President Mark A. Welsh III. Students also voiced concerns over the appointment of a new interim president, Tommy Williams, who previously worked for Governor Greg Abbott’s administration. These actions highlight a broader worry among students about potential threats to academic freedom within public education.
The protest, held at the campus’ clocktower, brought together students from diverse political backgrounds. They united under the common goal of protecting academic independence against what they view as increasing political interference in university curricula and administration.
Key Takeaways
- Students protested the resignation of former President Mark A. Welsh III.
- Concerns were raised about the interim president's appointment due to political ties.
- Protesters emphasized the importance of academic freedom in public universities.
- The conflict began with a gender identity lesson in a children's literature course.
- Students fear a university audit will target specific topics like gender and race.
Student Opposition to Leadership Changes
The central point of the student protest revolved around the departure of former President Mark A. Welsh III. Students believe his resignation was not voluntary but rather a forced removal. This sentiment stems from Welsh's initial refusal to dismiss a professor who taught a lesson on gender identity.
According to protest organizer Creighton McFarlin, a Texas A&M Galveston student, the students are not accepting the official narrative of a voluntary resignation.
“We’re not really buying that it was a resignation of his own accord,” McFarlin stated. “We think he was forced out for political reasons.”The university has not commented on whether Welsh's resignation was forced.
Interim President Appointment Raises Concerns
Another significant point of contention for the students is the appointment of Tommy Williams as the interim university president. Williams previously served in Governor Greg Abbott's administration for two years. Students expressed apprehension that this appointment could lead to political agendas influencing academic decisions.
McFarlin voiced fears that the new interim president might prioritize political directives over the university's academic freedom. This concern reflects a broader unease about the influence of state politics on what is taught and how universities are managed.
Background on the Conflict
The situation began with a video showing a student confronting Professor Melissa McCoul over a lesson on gender identity in a children’s literature course. The student in the video claimed the lesson was illegal and went against her religious beliefs. Professor McCoul maintained the lesson was legal and instructed the student to leave if she was uncomfortable.
At the time, no state laws, federal laws, or university policies prohibited teaching about gender or sexual orientation in state universities. Welsh initially defended McCoul, refusing to fire her. However, after the video gained wider circulation in September and Republican leaders called for dismissals, he reversed his decision.
Academic Freedom Under Scrutiny
The core issue for the protesting students is the preservation of academic freedom. They argue that lawmakers, regardless of political affiliation, should not dictate educational content on college campuses. This principle guides their demand for Welsh's reinstatement and their opposition to the interim president.
McFarlin highlighted the importance of open academic discourse.
“She was teaching ideas that are supposed to be taught on college campuses,” McFarlin said of McCoul. “These are ideas that need to be fleshed out and understood on college campuses, so that we can decide what is true.”
Curriculum Review and Potential Targets
Governor Abbott signed a bill on June 20 allowing university and college governing boards to review and overturn curriculum requirements. The Texas A&M system's board of regents, whose members are appointed by Governor Abbott, announced an audit of every course on September 9. This audit aims to prevent similar incidents.
Key Dates and Actions
- June 20: Governor Abbott signs bill allowing curriculum review.
- September: Video of professor's lesson circulates widely.
- September 9: Welsh fires Professor McCoul, citing course description deviation.
- September 9: Texas A&M system announces system-wide course audit.
- September 18: Welsh's resignation announced.
- October 3: Tommy Williams appointed interim president.
- October 15: Students protest at Galveston campus.
Students expressed significant concern that this audit would specifically target education related to gender, sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity. They view this as a direct threat to the diversity of thought and topics available for study. The university declined to comment on the current status of the audit.
Student Ash Reyes stated,
“The board of regents is serving the governor more than it’s serving the university, and we’d like realignment to that.”This highlights the students' belief that the university's governing body should prioritize academic interests over political ones.
Student and Faculty Support for Protest
The Wednesday protest was strategically timed to coincide with a visit by the board of regents to the Galveston campus. This timing aimed to directly convey student sentiments to the governing body. Students had previously shown support for Welsh, including protesting at the main College Station campus and cheering for him as he left his office for the final time.
A.J. Wark, a student and protest organizer, reported that some professors supported the students by calling in sick. This allowed their students to attend the protest without academic penalty. Wark also noted that some professors continue to teach content that might not be approved by the board of regents, openly discussing these topics in class.
Student Concerns and Risks
During the protest, many students signed a petition to reinstate Welsh. However, some students expressed support but declined to sign, fearing potential repercussions. These students were concerned about losing their student status or on-campus jobs if they participated openly. Wark, who works in the Office of Financial Aid, acknowledged her own job might be at risk but felt the need to speak out was more important.
The university did not comment on whether it supports the students' right to protest on campus. Despite the potential risks, students like McFarlin remain committed to their cause.
“Everybody has to decide when it’s time to take a stand, and this was ours,” McFarlin said. “This is our university, our state, our country, and we have to say something.”This sentiment underscores the students' resolve to advocate for what they believe is right for their educational environment.
