Texas Tech University System Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell on Thursday directed university presidents to only recognize two sexes — male and female — emphasizing that, regardless of personal views, adherence to new requirements is mandatory for all employees.
Mitchell wrote in a memo that universities are required to comply with both state and federal law, executive orders, and directives issued by President Donald Trump and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a “fundamental” responsibility as stewards of public trust.
Current laws and directives recognize only two human sexes — male and female — as outlined in Texas House Bill 229, the Governor’s letter, and an Executive Order.
Texas Tech University is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas.
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Abbott’s letter, sent Jan. 30, directed Texas state agency heads to follow state and federal law, including Trump’s executive order, in rejecting radical sexual orientation and gender identity ideologies.
Mitchell said that while faculty have First Amendment rights in their personal capacity, they must follow the law while instructing students.
Administrations must review course materials, curricula, syllabi and other instructional documents to ensure compliance and make adjustments as needed.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wrote a letter on Jan. 30, directing state agency heads to follow state and federal law surrounding gender issues.
The chancellor recognized that staff may hold “differing personal views on these matters,” but noted that compliance is mandatory.
“Regardless [of personal views], in your role as a state employee, compliance with the law is required, and I trust in your professionalism to carry out these responsibilities in a manner that reflects well on our universities,” Mitchell wrote.
Acknowledging the area of law is still developing, he noted there may be changes as new guidance is issued at state and federal levels.
Accrediting organizations, including the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), have already recognized the changes, working with programs and institutions to balance educational commitments with legal compliance.
Curriculum must be changed to follow state and federal law, according to the memo.
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While the chancellor did not directly address any specific incidents, he noted “recent developments” at universities across Texas “highlighted the importance of understanding these compliance obligations.”
Faculty are directed to bring questions to their deans and provosts.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has criticized similar action at Angelo State University, which enacted a new policy forbidding faculty “discussion of transgender topics or any topics that suggest there are more than two genders,” and transgender-related topics on syllabi.
On Tuesday, FIRE wrote a letter to Angelo State alleging the restrictions violate the First Amendment, and calling on the university to immediately withdraw the policy.
“Matters of sex and gender are among the most-discussed social and political issues in our country,” FIRE senior attorney Adam Steinbaugh wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital. “But at Texas Tech universities, you can debate and discuss these issues anywhere other than a university classroom. That’s the one place where the exchange of ideas should be most free. The First Amendment protects that exchange of ideas and no president’s directive, governor’s diktat, or chancellor’s command can override the Constitution. This is obvious censorship that has no place in the United States.”
Texas Tech did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Original article source: Texas Tech tells faculty to revise instruction, recognize only 2 sexes in classrooms
