Texas Higher Ed Reforms: Firings & Restrictions | AcademicJobs

🎓 The Wave of Reforms Reshaping Texas Public Universities

Texas public universities, home to over 1.3 million students across systems like the University of Texas (UT) and Texas A&M, have undergone significant transformations driven by Republican-led legislative and administrative actions. These Texas higher education reforms aim to eliminate what proponents call ideological indoctrination while critics argue they threaten academic freedom. Sparked by concerns over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the changes have led to professor firings, stringent classroom restrictions, and curriculum overhauls. Understanding these shifts requires examining their origins, key events, and ongoing effects on faculty, students, and the academic job market.

The reforms accelerated after 2023, with Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) banning DEI programs at public institutions effective January 1, 2024. Subsequent laws and regent policies in 2025 and 2026 introduced oversight on teaching content, hiring, and campus governance. Viral social media videos amplified scrutiny, prompting swift administrative responses including dismissals. For those navigating higher ed careers, these developments signal a need for heightened awareness of state-specific policies when pursuing higher ed jobs in Texas.

Senate Bill 17: Banning DEI and Setting the Stage

Senate Bill 17, signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2023, marked the first major salvo in the overhaul. This law prohibits public Texas universities from maintaining DEI offices, conducting related trainings, programs, or activities, and using race, color, or national origin in hiring or employment practices. Institutions must certify compliance annually, with administrative penalties for violations. For example, the UT System implemented Policy 197 to enforce these rules, closing DEI offices and scrutinizing job postings for prohibited language.

Proponents, including bill author Sen. Brandon Creighton, argued DEI fostered division and political litmus tests, diverting resources from core missions like engineering and medicine. Implementation involved purging syllabi of DEI references and halting trainings. While student organizations remain unaffected directly, safe spaces for marginalized groups have diminished, prompting self-censorship among faculty teaching related topics.

• Prohibits DEI offices, staff, and programs.
• Bans diversity statements in hiring.
• Forbids differential treatment based on protected characteristics.
• Requires ongoing compliance monitoring via hotlines and legal reviews.

Details on SB 17 compliance are available from official university resources, providing clarity for prospective faculty. These measures set precedents for further restrictions, influencing how professors approach sensitive subjects in lectures and research.

High-Profile Professor Firings Amid Viral Controversies

Professor firings in Texas have become flashpoints, often triggered by social media outrage. In September 2025, Texas A&M University dismissed English senior lecturer Melissa McCoul after a student secretly recorded her discussing gender identity in a children's literature course. The video, shared by State Rep. Brian Harrison, went viral, drawing calls for termination from Gov. Abbott's office. University President Mark Welsh initially defended her but resigned amid pressure; McCoul sued in February 2026, alleging First Amendment violations and political interference, claiming the administration ignored due process.

Similarly, Texas State University tenured history professor Thomas Alter was fired the same month for remarks at an online socialist conference, accused of inciting violence—a charge he denied. Briefly reinstated by court order, his dismissal was upheld by regents. Alter launched a free speech tour, highlighting procedural flaws.

Other cases include a UT Austin academic affairs leader removed for 'ideological differences' and administrators at Texas A&M ousted over the McCoul incident. These events spurred a surge in American Association of University Professors (AAUP) membership, with 800 new joins statewide in 30 days post-firings.

• Texas A&M: McCoul firing after gender lesson video (Sept 2025).
• Texas State: Alter dismissal over conference speech (Sept 2025).
• AAUP growth: Texas A&M chapter from 50 to 400 members.
• Lawsuits ongoing, citing academic freedom breaches.

For professors, these cases underscore the risks of recorded classes; many now add no-recording policies to syllabi.

📚 Classroom Restrictions and Curriculum Overhauls

New policies explicitly limit classroom content. In November 2025, Texas A&M regents approved restrictions on 'race and gender ideology' advocacy, requiring presidential approval for courses touching sexual orientation or gender identity. Over 5,400 syllabi were reviewed, canceling six courses (0.11%) and granting 48 exceptions. Introductory classes ban such discussions absent a 'necessary educational purpose.'

The UT System followed in February 2026, unanimously passing rules against 'unnecessary controversial subjects' unrelated to course matter. Faculty must disclose topics in syllabi, adhere strictly, and use a 'broad and balanced approach' for disputed issues—no coercing or indoctrinating students. Vague terms like 'controversial' invite interpretation, with Chair Kevin Eltife calling vagueness a 'friend' in polarized times.

Texas Tech implemented similar standards. Consequences include UT Austin consolidating ethnic and gender studies departments into Social and Cultural Analysis, affecting 800 students, and Texas A&M ending Women's and Gender Studies degrees due to low enrollment and policy clashes. Faculty report self-editing, like removing Plato modules on gender.

Faculty and Student Reactions: A Push for Unions and Protection

Faculty anxiety is palpable. Texas State anthropology professor Aimee Villarreal described classrooms losing their sanctuary feel, with trust eroded by recording fears. UT Dallas' Ravi Prakash warned of 'dumbing down' education by avoiding real-world controversies like climate science or evolution.

AAUP chapters exploded: Texas State's from 25 to 180 members. Though Texas bans public sector bargaining, unions offer advocacy and legal aid. Protests, like Texas A&M's January 2026 academic freedom rally, signal mobilization. Students in affected programs worry about preparation for diverse workplaces, with some LGBTQ+ groups rebranding events to evade scrutiny.

Actionable advice for faculty: Document all teaching decisions, join professional networks like AAUP, and consult legal resources early. Rate professors on platforms like Rate My Professor to share experiences transparently.

Republican Perspectives: Restoring Balance and Accountability

Reform advocates view changes as overdue corrections. Rep. Harrison demanded ending 'transgenderism indoctrination,' while Sen. Creighton emphasized regent authority for student-focused missions. Gov. Abbott praised firings as upholding law. Supporters like Texas A&M's Tommy Williams stress oversight protects integrity and public trust.

Conservative students report safer expression post-reforms, with groups like Turning Point USA growing. Policies aim for viewpoint diversity, countering perceived liberal dominance. Balanced hiring and curriculum ensure Western civilization and civic values, aligning with federal incentives under President Trump.

Broader Impacts and Challenges for Higher Education

Texas higher education faces self-censorship, administrative burdens (e.g., 10 hours per syllabus review), and program erosion. Minoritized disciplines bear heaviest loads, but all fields adapt—physics profs ponder CO2 warming as 'controversial.' Enrollment in liberal arts dips amid consolidations.

Job market implications: Tenure tracks tighten under SB 37's senate dissolutions; seek professor jobs with clear compliance cultures. Nationally, Texas trends influence red states, per AAUP's Gary Rhoades.

• Increased oversight via AI syllabus scans.
• Department mergers reducing specialized offerings.
• Union growth despite bargaining bans.
• Lawsuits testing boundaries.

Explore higher ed career advice for thriving amid flux.

Photo by Darren Irvin on Unsplash

Looking Ahead: Navigating Reforms with Resilience

Future sessions may intensify scrutiny, but opportunities exist: legal challenges clarify rights, unions bolster support, and balanced policies foster true discourse. Faculty can innovate with elective controversial topics, emphasizing evidence-based teaching.

For job seekers, Texas remains vibrant—university jobs abound in STEM. Share insights on Rate My Professor, browse higher ed jobs, and access career advice. AcademicJobs.com positions you to adapt and excel. Check professor salaries for informed moves. Have your say in comments below.