A left-wing faculty trade association and four Texas A&M professors are challenging the university system’s recent reforms that ended gender and race advocacy in academic coursework.
Texas A&M adopted its Civil Rights Protections and Compliance policy in November 2025. The policy prohibits courses that “advocate race or gender ideology, or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity.”
A separate Academic Freedom, Responsibility and Tenure policy bars faculty from teaching material that is inconsistent with an approved course syllabus.
As part of implementing these policies, certain courses were removed from the core curriculum and Texas A&M University abolished Women’s & Gender Studies programming in January.
The American Association of University Professors, along with Texas A&M faculty members Leonard Bright, Vanita Reddy, Landon Sadler, and Aaron George, allege the university’s two policies and resulting reforms violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments by imposing a viewpoint-discriminatory ban.
Dr. Bright is the president of the AAUP’s Texas A&M College Station chapter. He has frequently advocated for left-wing diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and against higher education governance reforms passed by Texas lawmakers.
The AAUP, which self-identifies as a union, has also been a vocal opponent of higher education reform efforts during the past two legislative sessions.
The Texas chapter of the AAUP made waves in Aggieland last year when it circulated a seven-page letter that encouraged faculty members to “resist” reform efforts. The letter urged faculty to refuse immediate compliance with new university policies.
According to the lawsuit filed this week, the policies disfavor certain perspectives on race, gender, and sexual orientation without imposing similar restrictions on opposing viewpoints.
The plaintiffs also argue the policies are unconstitutionally vague and permit discriminatory enforcement by failing to define terms such as “advocate” and “teach.”
The lawsuit cites the debunked hoax that Texas A&M prohibited a professor from teaching Plato as an example of “censorship,” when in reality the professor had attempted to shoehorn an obscure essay written by Plato into a claim that the Greek philosopher supported modern gender ideology.
The group further contends the policies define “race ideology” and “gender ideology” based on subjective feelings rather than objective standards, making it unclear what topics are prohibited.
The AAUP is asking the court to reinstate specific canceled courses and block enforcement of the policies.
“We believe this lawsuit is without merit and the System will vigorously defend its policies and procedures,” Chris Bryan, TAMUS vice chancellor for marketing and communications, told Texas Scorecard. “The A&M System remains focused on the important work of supporting our students and fulfilling our duty to the state.”
AAUP filed a similar lawsuit against Texas Tech University last month, alleging its curriculum review process unlawfully restricts teaching on race, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Both cases remain pending in federal courts.
Texas A&M University is a component of the Texas A&M System. The TAMU 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 chairman.
