Angelo State University, part of the Texas Tech University system, has directed its faculty to stop classroom discussions that suggest gender identities exist beyond male and female assigned at birth. The new policy, which initially included stricter rules that were later revised, has drawn criticism from free speech advocates and legal experts.
The university administration cited state and federal directives as the basis for the change, which comes amid a broader debate over academic freedom and LGBTQ+ issues on Texas college campuses.
Key Takeaways
- Angelo State University issued a policy limiting classroom discussions on gender identity.
- Initial directives banning preferred names and LGBTQ+ signage were later reversed after legal review.
- The university justified the policy by referencing orders from Governor Greg Abbott and a state law.
- Students and academic freedom experts have raised concerns about the policy's impact on free speech and the campus environment.
- The move follows a related controversy at Texas A&M University that resulted in multiple staff changes.
Details of the New Policy
Faculty members at Angelo State University received an email outlining new guidelines for classroom conduct. According to a faculty member who spoke anonymously due to fear of professional repercussions, the initial communication was highly restrictive.
Instructors were told they could only refer to students by their legal given names and must remove any information related to transgender identity from their course syllabi. The directive also required the removal of LGBTQ+ supportive materials, such as stickers and flags, from offices and classrooms.
Policy Partially Reversed
Following further legal consultation, the university sent an updated message to faculty. This revised communication walked back some of the initial restrictions. Instructors are now permitted to use students' preferred names, and the requirement to remove LGBTQ+ related signage has been rescinded.
However, the core component of the policy remains: faculty are instructed to avoid teaching or suggesting that there are more than two gender identities corresponding to sex assigned at birth.
University's Official Justification
An Angelo State spokesperson pointed to three documents to explain the policy. These include a January order from Texas Governor Greg Abbott rejecting "gender identity ideologies," Texas House Bill 229 requiring state agencies to identify individuals as only "male" or "female," and a Trump-era executive order recognizing only two sexes at the federal level.
Campus and Expert Reactions
The policy was implemented without a formal announcement to the student body, leaving many to learn about it through informal channels. Emi Gonzalez, a sophomore at the university, expressed concern over the new rule.
"College should be a place where people can be themselves and that’s what a lot of people do here," Gonzalez stated. "With this new policy, it further tries to ‘erase’ transgender people. ... It’s putting people in danger simply because they’re trans."
Academic freedom advocates and legal scholars have also weighed in, warning that the directive could violate fundamental constitutional rights and create a chilling effect on campus discourse.
Concerns Over Academic Freedom
Neal Hutchens, a professor of education at the University of Kentucky, described the situation as part of a larger trend affecting Texas institutions.
"This is something we’re seeing play out at multiple Texas institutions, where it really is a demolition of principles of academic freedom and free speech," Hutchens said. He questioned how subjects like public policy could be taught effectively if relevant topics are banned from discussion.
Legal Questions and Potential Conflicts
Legal experts suggest the policy may face challenges. Katie Eyer, a professor at Rutgers Law School, noted that it could conflict with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, a federal law that prohibits sex and anti-LGBTQ discrimination against employees. "Any of the federal claims would supersede state law to the extent state law is inconsistent," Eyer explained.
Broader Context in Texas Higher Education
This development at Angelo State is not an isolated event. It follows a high-profile incident at Texas A&M University at College Station. Viral videos of a classroom discussion on gender identity led to the firing of a professor and the removal of two administrators. The fallout ultimately contributed to the resignation of the university's president.
A faculty member at Angelo State suggested the new policy is a reaction to pressure from the Texas Legislature, stating, "We want to protect our faculty, we want to protect the institution, and so, we need to figure out how to comply with this."
State Laws and University Policies
While Texas passed a law in 2023 targeting the instruction of gender identity and sexual orientation, its provisions explicitly apply to K-12 public schools. The law does not extend to the university level, leaving institutions like Angelo State to interpret state directives and political pressure.
The expansion of Title IX under the Biden administration to include protections for "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" was intended to provide federal safeguards. However, these protections were later struck down by a federal court, creating further legal uncertainty for universities navigating these issues.
Eyer emphasized the climate of fear this creates. "This policy is not isolated, it’s part of a broader context … and just how much sort of fear, genuine, realistic fear there is in the transgender community right now about efforts to demonize the community," she added.
