🎓 Origins of the University of Houston Faculty Memo

In early February 2026, faculty at the University of Houston, particularly in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, received an unexpected request from their dean. Dean Daniel O'Connor circulated a memo asking hundreds of instructors to affirm their commitment to fostering critical thinking rather than imposing personal views on students. This move, affecting over 600 faculty members across disciplines like English, history, and philosophy, requires signatures or acknowledgments by February 10, 2026.

The memo stems from a broader directive issued by University of Houston Chancellor and President Renu Khator in a November 21, 2025, email to deans. Khator urged a review of course syllabi, titles, and materials to ensure alignment with the university's educational mission. She emphasized providing students with diverse perspectives to help them form their own opinions, explicitly stating, 'Our guiding principle is to teach them, not to indoctrinate them.' This language reflects growing scrutiny in Texas higher education, where state lawmakers have pushed for reforms to prioritize foundational knowledge and civic preparation over what some perceive as ideological bias.

Critical thinking, as defined in the memo drawing from the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) VALUE rubrics, involves explaining issues, evaluating evidence, considering context and assumptions, stating positions clearly, and drawing conclusions based on outcomes. These attributes form the backbone of liberal arts education, distinguishing inquiry-based teaching from rote memorization or advocacy.

For those navigating higher education careers, such developments highlight the evolving expectations in academic roles. Platforms like Rate My Professor allow students to share experiences, underscoring the importance of transparent teaching practices.

📜 Breaking Down the Five Key Affirmation Statements

The memo outlines five specific statements that faculty must acknowledge. These are designed to document adherence to pedagogical best practices and state-mandated curriculum standards. Here's what they entail:

• A primary purpose of higher education is to enhance critical thinking: This reaffirms the core mission of universities to develop analytical skills essential for professional and civic life.
• Our responsibility is to give students the ability to form their own opinions, not to indoctrinate them: Indoctrination refers to imposing fixed beliefs without room for debate, contrasting with education that encourages evidence-based discourse.
• I understand the definition and attributes of critical thinking: Faculty affirm familiarity with established frameworks like AAC&U rubrics, which provide measurable criteria for assessment.
• I design my courses and course materials to be consistent with the definition and attributes of critical thinking: This involves syllabus construction that promotes inquiry, such as assigning diverse sources and debate prompts.
• I use methods of instruction that are intended to enhance students’ critical thinking: Examples include Socratic seminars, case studies, and peer reviews, proven to build independent reasoning.

Dean O'Connor clarified that no evidence of misconduct prompted the request; it's a proactive measure to assure the Board of Regents of compliance. Non-signers face no penalties but may undergo individual syllabus reviews, ensuring accountability without coercion.

For aspiring professors, incorporating these elements strengthens job applications. Explore professor jobs where such skills are prized.

⚖️ Texas Legislation Driving the Changes: SB 37 and Beyond

The UH initiative ties directly to Texas Senate Bill 37 (SB 37), enacted in the 89th Legislature (2025 session) and effective January 1, 2026. This law mandates periodic reviews of core undergraduate curricula to confirm they deliver foundational knowledge, prepare students for civic engagement, and foster intellectual inquiry. Institutions must report to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, emphasizing breadth over narrow ideologies. For the full enrolled text, see the official SB 37 document.

Building on prior reforms like Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) from 2023, which prohibited Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices and mandatory trainings at public universities, SB 37 expands oversight. SB 17 aimed to eliminate administrative structures seen as promoting viewpoint discrimination, leading to office closures and staff reallocations statewide. The DEI ban, detailed in its enrolled version, reflects conservative priorities to refocus on merit-based education.

Recent events at Texas A&M University, where the system banned lectures on 'race and gender ideology' and discontinued women's and gender studies programs, illustrate the ripple effects. These changes, implemented in late 2025, revised over 200 courses to comply with similar directives.

In this climate, administrators like Chancellor Khator position UH as proactive, potentially safeguarding funding and autonomy amid legislative pressures.

🗣️ Faculty Reactions: Support, Skepticism, and Pushback

Responses vary. Some faculty view the memo as a harmless reaffirmation of longstanding practices. English Department Chair Lauren Zentz noted it commits to 'what we've always done,' aligning with academic norms.

Others express concern. Associate Professor María C. González declined to sign, opting for a personal statement confirming her courses promote critical thinking. She questioned the precedent, linking it to broader 'horrors' at other Texas institutions. The University of Houston chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) provided a template for 'conscientious objectors,' arguing the premise implies unfounded guilt and lacks administrative authority under UH bylaws. Their earlier November 2025 letter opposed Khator's email as potential censorship.

• Proponents argue it counters perceptions of bias, enhancing public trust in higher ed.
• Critics fear a 'slippery slope' chilling controversial topics, even if unintended.
• Neutral voices see it as administrative overreach but not punitive.

On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), posts from Houston Chronicle garnered thousands of engagements, highlighting national interest in Texas higher ed trends.

🌍 Broader US Context and Academic Freedom Implications

While UH's pledge is unique, similar tensions simmer nationwide. In Kansas, GOP lawmakers renewed attacks on DEI and Critical Race Theory (CRT) in 2026 bills. Trump's 2025 executive order targeted K-12 'radical indoctrination,' influencing higher ed rhetoric. Faculty diversity pledges at 184 universities faced rollbacks post-2025.

Academic freedom, enshrined in AAUP principles and UH policies, protects inquiry without interference. Proponents of pledges claim they safeguard it by preventing advocacy; detractors warn of top-down conformity. Balanced approaches, like transparent syllabi and student feedback, mitigate risks.

For detailed analysis, Inside Higher Ed's coverage provides insights.

💼 Career Impacts for Faculty and Job Seekers

These policies reshape hiring. Job postings increasingly emphasize 'viewpoint diversity' and critical thinking metrics. Adjuncts and tenure-track candidates should tailor CVs to highlight inclusive pedagogies, as in our guide to academic CVs.

• Review syllabi proactively for balanced sources.
• Document teaching innovations with student outcomes.
• Seek roles at institutions valuing neutrality, via higher ed jobs.

Students benefit from Rate My Professor to find instructors prioritizing analysis over agenda.

Photo by Ali A on Unsplash

🚀 Positive Solutions and Best Practices Moving Forward

To navigate this landscape, universities can adopt voluntary professional development on critical thinking, using AAC&U tools. Faculty might form peer-review committees for syllabi, fostering collaboration.

Job seekers: Build portfolios with lesson plans demonstrating inquiry. Administrators: Communicate transparently to build trust. Legislators and educators: Dialogue on evidence of bias versus freedom.

Ultimately, recommitting to critical thinking strengthens higher education. Share your views in the comments, explore university jobs, or post a position at Recruitment. Visit higher ed career advice for more, and check Rate My Professor or higher ed jobs today.