In recent months, Texas public universities have witnessed a notable wave of faculty departures, with professors citing increasing censorship of course materials, including classic texts like Plato's Symposium, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and historical discussions of Joan of Arc. This trend, accelerating since late 2025, stems from state laws and university policies aimed at curbing what administrators describe as indoctrination on topics like race, gender, and sexuality.

Humanities faculty, in particular, report self-censorship and syllabus revisions to comply with directives from systems like the University of Texas (UT), Texas A&M, and Texas Tech. While no official statewide turnover statistics pinpoint an 'exodus,' surveys and anecdotal evidence suggest heightened dissatisfaction, with one in four Texas professors having applied for out-of-state jobs in recent years.

Legislative Roots of the Controversy

The catalyst traces back to Senate Bill 17 (SB 17), enacted in 2023, which banned diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at public institutions. This was followed by Senate Bill 37 (SB 37) in 2025, granting governing boards—appointed by Governor Greg Abbott—greater control over curricula to ensure 'workforce-oriented' general education courses. These laws do not explicitly mandate censorship but empower regents to enforce compliance, leading to proactive restrictions.

In February 2026, the UT System Board of Regents approved a policy limiting 'controversial or contested matters' in classrooms unless directly relevant to the discipline. Texas Tech Chancellor Brandon Creighton, the author of SB 37, issued a December 2025 memo prohibiting content promoting one race or sex as superior and reinforcing a binary view of sex. Administrators argue these measures protect educational quality from ideological bias, while critics decry them as chilling academic freedom.

Specific Cases of Censored Classic Texts

At Texas A&M, philosophy professor Martin Peterson was barred from assigning Plato's Symposium, which discusses multiple genders, violating system rules on sexuality content. Peterson, departing for Southern Methodist University, called it unprecedented for a research university.

• Texas Tech history professor Jacob Bell removed Romeo and Juliet due to its Act III sexual content and lectures on Joan of Arc over gender identity ties; he's heading to CUNY this summer.
• Texas Tech nonfiction writing professor Lucy Schiller self-censored amid memos and is moving to Grinnell College.
• Incoming postdoc Elek Lane withdrew his Texas A&M offer, fearing restrictions on gender-related research.

These examples illustrate how ancient and Renaissance works are caught in broad prohibitions, prompting Linda Raznik, associate philosophy head at A&M, to join Binghamton University after 15 years.

Faculty Departures and Survey Insights

While exact 2026 figures are pending, a 2025 AAUP survey of over 1,100 Texas faculty found 25% applied for out-of-state jobs in two years, another 25% plan to, with 61% not recommending Texas positions. Political climate topped reasons, followed by academic freedom and DEI issues. For details, see the AAUP-TFA survey analysis.

Named exits include Wendy Watson (UNT political science to Ball State) and Kathleen Kearney (Texas Tech nursing ethics resignation). At Texas A&M's philosophy department, three of ~20 faculty left post-restrictions. National experts like Dominique Baker (U. Delaware) warn of accelerating brain drain.

Photo by Rebeca Alvidrez on Unsplash

University Responses and Course Overhauls

Texas A&M modified hundreds of syllabi; Texas Tech reviewed up to 200 courses, canceling some. University of Houston required professors to sign anti-indoctrination pledges. Texas Tech phased out gender/sexuality programs in April 2026 per Creighton's directive.

Interim presidents like Tommy Williams at A&M insist changes enhance quality without curbing freedom. Yet faculty report 'tears commonplace' and graduate students panicking over research bans.

Impacts on Students and Research

Students, especially in rural West Texas, face diminished curricula. Protests erupted at Texas Tech with chants of 'Stop censorship.' Long-term, recruitment suffers; grants and pipelines may dry up as top talent flees. For more on national implications, review NPR's coverage.

• Reduced exposure to diverse ideas hampers critical thinking.
• Emotional toll: Faculty describe 'hostile' environments.
• Workforce prep: Ironically, bans target skills like equity analysis needed in jobs.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Faculty unions like AAUP-TFA decry 'assault on academic freedom.' Brian Evans warns of societal costs. Republicans, including Abbott, frame it as ending 'woke' bias. Students like Marcela Salome Hernandez (UTSA) feel identity erasure. Administrators prioritize compliance amid audits.

National Context and Comparisons

Texas leads red-state trends, but similar policies in Florida and others spur faculty mobility. National faculty turnover hovers at 6-10%, but political climates elevate voluntary exits. A&P survey notes southern faculty dissatisfaction peaks in Texas.

Photo by Rebeca Alvidrez on Unsplash

Potential Solutions and Future Outlook

Calls grow for legislative reversals, faculty senates reinstatement (disbanded in some systems), and clear guidelines balancing compliance with freedom. Courts may intervene, as seen in past DEI challenges. Texas risks lagging in research rankings if unchecked; recruitment to blue states like NY, CA surges. Proactive dialogue between regents, faculty, and lawmakers could mitigate losses. Explore faculty opportunities at Inside Higher Ed's faculty issues section.