Texas A&M University System officials recently discussed the flagship campus’ controversial Race and Ethnic Studies Institute with system counsel.
Texas Scorecard has previously reported on the content and budget of the Race and Ethnic Studies Institute (RESI) and its professors, whose output runs the gamut of left-wing grievance studies. The institute operates out of the Texas A&M System’s College Station campus.
Following initial reporting, Texas Scorecard filed an open records request for communications that mentioned the key phrases “Race and Ethnic Studies Institute” and “RESI” from a series of senior Texas A&M System officials between June 1 and July 15.
On July 29, the Texas A&M System sent an unusually detailed brief to the attorney general’s office arguing that the communications in question were subject to an exemption from disclosure under Section 552.007 of the Texas Government Code, which concerns attorney-client privilege.
As part of that brief, A&M states that “the communication is among Brooks Moore, General Counsel, OGC; Tracy Foster, Executive Vice Chancellor, A&M System; Nikki Cobb, Vice Chancellor, Government Relations, State Relations, A&M System; Glenn Hegar, Chancellor, A&M System; and Chris Bryan, Vice Chancellor, Marketing and Communications, A&M System.”
“[T]he communications were sent and received expressly for the purpose of facilitating the rendition of legal services,” the document continues.
While the dates and nature of the communications are unknown, their existence indicates that RESI has received attention from senior officials.
Previous education reforms at Texas A&M have produced pushback that includes lawsuits and media hoaxes.
Texas A&M University is a component of the Texas A&M System. The Texas A&M System is overseen by a Board of Regents appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Robert Albritton of Fort Worth is the current board chair.
