An undercover video released by an activist organization contains an explosive allegation.
The latest video from Accuracy in Media shows Jackie Salcedo, a “senior academic program coordinator” at UT-Austin’s Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality studies, discussing how a trade association for left-wing faculty extracted concessions from state lawmakers in Texas’ DEI ban.
“The [American Association of University Professors] was at the Capitol every day,” Salcedo explained. “So the AAUP managed to, um, get them to water down the language substantially.”
“[Texas’ DEI ban] doesn’t do anything, yet, except create more work for the staff on the back end,” she added.
While Salcedo states that AAUP watered down the law, she does not detail how they did so. Senate Bill 17, which banned DEI in many aspects of day to day university operations, contains a series of exemptions including one for “academic course instruction.”
AAUP did not testify on this law during the legislative process.
Regardless of the current state of the law, however, UT-Austin’s Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality studies has undergone substantial reforms since this undercover video was recorded.
According to the time and date stamps on the video, it was filmed in the afternoon of June 26, 2025, nearly a year ago.
In February, UT President Jim Davis announced that the department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality studies would be included in the consolidation of several so-called “grievance studies” departments into a new department of Social and Cultural analysis.
The university clarified last month that the consolidation would take effect for the Fall 2026 semester.
A curriculum review for this consolidated department remains ongoing. An announcement regarding its results is expected shortly.
“UT fully implemented SB17 two years ago and in accordance with the law performs annual compliance monitoring activities that we submit to the State of Texas for certification,” a UT spokesman told Texas Scorecard.
This is the fourth video in AIM’s latest Texas Series. Previously released videos highlight continued use of DEI content at Texas State, the University of North Texas and the University of Texas at Arlington social work programs.
UT-Austin is a component of the University of Texas System. The UT System is overseen by a Board of Regents appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Kevin Eltife of Tyler is the current board chairman.
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