Texas Tech System chancellor, Angelo State University double down on DEI policy changes

LUBBOCK, Texas — Days after Angelo State University made changes to its LGBT and gender policy that sparked debate across Texas, the Texas Tech System Chancellor issued a memo to back the controversial changes.

On Friday morning, Texas Tech University System Chancellor Dr. Tedd Mitchell issued a memo to all five university presidents in the TTU System, following Angelo State University, directing faculty to remove any material related to transgender identity and to call students by their name/gender assigned at birth.

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“Current state and federal law recognize only two human sexes: male and female, as outlined in (Texas) HouseBill 229, Governor’s Letter, and Executive Order,” reads the chancellor’s memo. “Therefore, while recognizing the First Amendment rights of employees in their personal capacity, faculty must comply with these laws in the instruction of students, within the course and scope of their employment.”

The chancellor went on to write that he recognizes members of our community may hold differing personal views on these matters.

However, system and university employees are state employees and compliance with the law is required and should be carried out in a manner that “reflects well on our universities.”

Mitchell further acknowledged that it is a developing area of law and there are ongoing discussions and future guidance on the state and federal law.

“Recent developments at universities across Texas have highlighted the importance of understandingthese compliance obligations,” Mitchell wrote. “We are providing this guidance to ensure all faculty have theinformation needed to navigate these requirements successfully. Our goal is to support you inmaintaining compliance while continuing to fulfill our educational mission.”

Mitchell further directed faculty with questions to contact their respective university deans and provosts, while the system will “continue to monitor developments closely in coordination with General Counsel and provide timely updates.”

The memo was issued to Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Angelo State University in San Angelo, Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, and the Texas Tech Health Sciences Centers in Lubbock and El Paso.

Angelo State University leadership holds fast to anit-LGBT DEI policy changes

Earlier in the week, Angelo State University directed faculty and staff to make the following changes:

• A professor’s syllabi may not contain any material related to transgender identity. If it currently does, it must be removed right away.

• Preferred pronouns will no longer be included in any ASU communications.

• Professors must refer to their students in class by their biologically-assigned identity and use the names they were given at birth.

• If a student or students in a professor’s class begin to discuss this issue, you are not to take part and are asked to steer the conversation away from the topic, indicating that it is against federal and state law to discuss it.

• Remove all “safe-space” emblems, flags, etc. that refer to transgender identity from ASU facilities.

• Faculty whose research focuses on transgender issues can expect their research not to be funded by ASU.

The university cited the reason for the changes due to the following federal and state legislation:

• U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order entitled: Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.

• Texas House Bill 229: Relating to general definitions for and collection of governmental information regarding biological sex.

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On Friday, Sept. 19, ASU faculty and staff received two separate emails — one from ASU President Ronnie Hawkins and another from ASU Provost Donald Toplin.

The Avalanche-Journal was able to obtain these communications, with the president’s email stating, “As a public university governed by existing federal and state law, directives and Executive Orders, Angelo State does not maintain a standalone policy on this matter.”

President Hawkins further goes on to thank faculty and staff for their diligence in reviewing course material and directed questions they may have to their respective deans and the university provost.

“What makes Angelo State special is its people – our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors – who form the fabric of our institution and wholeheartedly support its mission,” Hawkins wrote. “Serving Angelo State is a responsibility I take to heart, and our dedication to treating every student and employee with kindness, dignity, and respect is unwavering.”

ASU Provost Toplin also issued an email doubling down on the policy changes of faculty should review syllabi and course materials to remove “any outdated or noncompliant language” and should align course materials and instruction with updated syllabi and communicate adjustments to students accordingly.

Toplin further wrote that “not meeting these requirements may bring the university out of compliance with federal and state laws, as well as Executive Orders” with “gaps in compliance may prompt the need for corrective actions.”

How are Texas Tech University and the other TTU System Universities being impacted?

It is unknown the impact of ASU’s policy changes or the chancellor’s email on the universities within the Texas Tech System.

However, on Tuesday, Texas Tech’s assistant vice president for Marketing & Communications, Allison Hirth, issued the following statement to the Avalanche-Journal:

“At Texas Tech University, we are committed to full compliance with the law and continue to work closely with our academic affairs, governmental relations and general counsel offices to ensure we meet all state and federal requirements.”

The statement did not address the A-J’s questions on whether similar policies to ASU are or already have been implemented, and whether Texas Tech is currently looking at cutting its Women’s & Gender Studies program or any related LGBT courses.

The A-J has reached out to MSU and the TTUHSCs for comment but has not heard back from them before publication of this story.

Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@lubbockonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: TTU System chancellor, ASU double down on anti-LGBT DEI policy changes