Overview of the UT System's New Teaching Policy
The University of Texas (UT) System, encompassing nine academic institutions and four medical centers serving over 260,000 students, has introduced a significant update to its guidelines on classroom instruction. On February 19, 2026, the UT System Board of Regents unanimously approved the 'University of Texas System Expectations of Academic Integrity and Standards for Teaching Controversial Topics.' This policy aims to balance faculty academic freedom with responsibilities to maintain integrity, protect student rights, and align with state and federal directives. While proponents view it as a safeguard for unbiased education, critics argue its vague language could stifle open discourse and lead to self-censorship among educators.
At its core, the policy reaffirms Regents' Rule 31004, which has long granted faculty freedom to discuss their subjects but expects them to avoid injecting unrelated controversial matters. The new framework expands on this by outlining specific expectations for handling disputed or unsettled issues, ensuring classrooms foster trust and critical thinking rather than coercion or indoctrination. This development comes amid broader national debates on campus content, particularly following Texas Senate Bill 17 (SB 17), which prohibited Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices and programs at public universities starting January 2024, and Senate Bill 37 (SB 37), enhancing regent oversight of curricula.
🎓 Detailed Breakdown of the Policy Provisions
The policy positions teaching as a 'solemn covenant' between faculty and students, emphasizing academic integrity, open inquiry, and respect for diverse viewpoints. Faculty members are tasked with four primary responsibilities: fostering classroom cultures of trust where students can freely express conflicting beliefs; fairly presenting differing views and scholarly evidence on reasonably disputed matters; equipping students with tools to evaluate claims critically; and avoiding topics or controversies not germane—or directly relevant—to the course subject.
In practical terms, instructors must design syllabi, readings, and assignments with care, explicitly listing topics to be covered and sticking to them without introducing undisclosed, irrelevant material. For courses that do include controversial issues, a 'broad and balanced approach' is required, preventing any single perspective from dominating. Institutions are directed to cultivate balance across their faculty body and curricula, ensuring students encounter varied viewpoints. General education core requirements must offer balanced courses allowing graduation without mandatory exposure to 'unnecessary controversial subjects.'
Student protections are highlighted, guaranteeing their right to voice germane opinions in discussions, assignments, or online forums without fear of reprisal. Notably absent are definitions for key terms like 'controversial,' 'contested,' 'germane,' or 'balanced approach,' leaving interpretation to administrators. Board Chair Kevin Eltife stressed post-approval that campus leaders review curricula to distinguish required from elective controversial content, while ensuring compliance with directives on gender identity from Governor Greg Abbott and President Donald Trump.
- Disclose all planned topics in syllabi upfront.
- Adhere strictly to syllabus content during instruction.
- Present multiple scholarly perspectives on disputed issues.
- Avoid coercion, harassment, or belittling differing student convictions.
The Road to Approval: Public Testimony and Unanimous Vote
The policy's path culminated in a February 18-19, 2026, Board of Regents meeting in Austin. Public comment lasted about 40 minutes, with all 10 speakers—including faculty, students, alumni, Democratic State Representative Donna Howard, and representatives from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund—voicing opposition. Physics professor Peter Onyisi questioned whether administrators, lacking disciplinary expertise, would dictate scientific fundamentals like climate change or evolution, which some view as contested despite consensus.
David Gray Widder from UT Austin's School of Information warned that restricting complex discussions ill-prepares students for job markets demanding navigation of social and political challenges. Alfonso Ayala III, a doctoral student in Mexican American and Latina/o Studies, labeled it 'ideological and political.' Despite this, the nine-member board passed it without debate, with Eltife acknowledging 'difficult times' where 'vagueness can be our friend.'
Faculty Opposition and Concerns Over Academic Freedom
Organizations like the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Texas Conference and local chapters led the charge against the policy. AAUP-UT Austin President Karma Chávez linked it to UT Austin's recent consolidation of African and African Diaspora Studies, Mexican American and Latino Studies, American Studies, and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies into a single Social and Cultural Analysis department—affecting over 800 students and dozens of faculty. Critics fear it echoes unratified elements of President Trump's 'Compact for Academic Excellence,' mandating non-coercive teaching.
Ravi Prakash, Computer Science professor and UT Dallas AAUP president, predicted self-censorship: faculty avoiding student questions to evade trouble, ultimately 'dumbing down' education. Brian Evans, Texas AAUP Conference president, worried about 'breadth and balance' clauses politicizing hiring and evaluations based on ideology rather than merit. Potential chilling effects extend to sciences, history (e.g., slavery, segregation), public policy, medicine, and engineering, where real-world scenarios demand discussing ethics, biases, or current events.
For faculty job seekers, this raises questions about institutional climates. Platforms like higher-ed faculty jobs now highlight policy transparency in listings, helping candidates assess fit amid evolving state regulations.
📋 Board's Perspective and Texas Higher Education Context
Defenders, including Eltife, frame the policy as upholding existing Regents' Rules while addressing complaints of ideological bias and ensuring student rights. It responds to pressures from state leaders post-SB 17's DEI prohibitions and federal incentives for viewpoint diversity. UT Austin, for instance, gained preferential funding access by promoting civic values and Western civilization perspectives without formally signing Trump's compact.
This fits a Texas trend: public systems facing scrutiny for perceived liberal dominance. Eltife directed Chancellor John Zerwas and Vice Chancellor Archie Holmes to enforce compliance, including on gender-related topics amid executive orders recognizing only two sexes. Proponents argue it protects vulnerable students and maintains public trust in taxpayer-funded institutions.
| Key Texas Laws Influencing Policy | Description |
|---|---|
| Senate Bill 17 (2023) | Bans DEI offices/programs; effective Jan 2024. |
| Senate Bill 37 (2025) | Increases regent oversight of instruction, hiring, discipline. |
| Regents' Rule 31004 | Faculty classroom freedom with no unrelated controversies. |
Comparisons to Texas A&M and Texas Tech Systems
The UT policy mirrors recent moves by peers. Texas A&M's November 2025 rule requires presidential approval for courses on 'race or gender ideology,' leading to AI-driven reviews, mid-semester censorship (e.g., LGBTQ+ literature, Plato's works), and cancellations of gender/race classes. Texas Tech's December 2025 policy tracks courses 'advocating' race/gender/sexual identities, prompting cancellations.
AAUP reports nontransparent enforcement at A&M chilled speech, with a philosophy professor barred from Plato. UT risks similar outcomes without defined enforcement, potentially harming recruitment of top talent and grant competitiveness.
Potential Impacts on Students, Faculty, and Higher Ed Careers
Students may benefit from balanced gen ed options but lose exposure to vital debates preparing them for workplaces tackling ethics, policy, or science controversies. Faculty face syllabus rigidity, risking complaints over spontaneous discussions. For adjuncts or tenure-track hopefuls, explore adjunct professor jobs listings noting policy adherence.
Actionable advice for navigating: Faculty, document rationale for topics; use peer-reviewed sources for balance; invite guest speakers for diversity. Students, rate your professors on course balance and openness. Institutions could form faculty committees for term clarifications, training on compliance without censorship.
Read the full policy document for precise language. For AAUP analysis, visit their statement.
Photo by Patti Black on Unsplash
Solutions and Forward-Looking Perspectives
To mitigate risks, UT System could define terms via faculty input, mirroring shared governance models. Emphasize training on inclusive pedagogy over punishment. Positive outcomes include enhanced critical thinking if balanced well. Amid changes, opportunities arise in higher ed career advice for roles prioritizing viewpoint diversity.
Stakeholders: Engage via public comments, unions. Job seekers, prioritize transparent employers via university jobs. Share experiences in comments below—your voice shapes higher ed discourse.
In summary, while the policy seeks integrity, dialogue between regents, faculty, and students via resources like Rate My Professor, higher ed jobs, and career advice fosters resilient classrooms. Explore post a job to attract balanced talent.