Changes at Texas A&M Raise Questions for Texas Tech Classrooms

A major policy shift at Texas A&M University is sending ripples through higher education statewide--including right here in Lubbock at Texas Tech.

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Faculty at Texas A&M were recently told that roughly 200 courses in the College of Arts and Sciences could be altered, reassigned, or removed from the core curriculum due to new system-wide restrictions on how race, gender, and related topics can be discussed in certain classes. The changes come just days before classes begin, after students had already registered.

While the situation is unfolding in College Station, similar policies are already affecting campuses within the Texas Tech University System.

What’s Happening at Texas A&M

The changes stem from a policy approved by the Texas A&M System Board of Regents in November, requiring administrators to approve courses that could be seen as advocating “race and gender ideology,” particularly in introductory and core curriculum classes.

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Since then, emails obtained by The Texas Tribune show:

• An introductory sociology course on race and ethnicity was canceled

• A communications course was renumbered to remove core credit

• A philosophy professor was told to remove certain readings--including Plato--or be reassigned

University officials say exemptions can be requested if race or gender topics are deemed essential to a course, but those approvals are still pending, leaving students and faculty uncertain as the semester begins.

Why This Matters to Texas Tech Students

Texas Tech is not immune to these changes. The Texas Tech University System already prohibits certain race- or sex-related course content, except in cases where it is required for licensing, certification, or patient care.

That means:

• Core curriculum and introductory courses may face tighter scrutiny

• Departments could revise syllabi, course descriptions, or even course numbers

• Faculty may shift sensitive discussions to upper-level or specialized classes

While Texas Tech has not announced mass course cancellations like Texas A&M, the framework is in place and professors are already adjusting to avoid running afoul of system rules.

Concerns on Campus and Beyond

Faculty groups and free-speech advocates argue these policies could undermine academic inquiry. Critics say giving administrators veto power over course content creates uncertainty and chills discussion--especially in disciplines like philosophy, sociology, and history.

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Supporters of the policy argue it brings clarity, accountability, and keeps core classes focused on foundational material rather than ideology.

For students in Lubbock, the practical impact may be subtle at first--a syllabus tweak here, a course renumbering there--but the broader shift is clear: what gets taught, and where, is changing.

What Students at Texas Tech Should Watch For

As the semester unfolds, Texas Tech students should:

• Check course syllabi carefully for changes

• Watch for announcements about course credits or substitutions

• Talk with advisors if a class is altered or removed

One thing is certain: decisions made hundreds of miles away in College Station are now shaping conversations in classrooms across West Texas--including right here at Texas Tech.