Texas A&M University is eliminating its Women’s and Gender Studies program as part of a review of university courses. The move follows repeated criticism of the university for allowing left-wing course content into the traditionally conservative institution.
University officials say they examined roughly 5,400 course syllabi to ensure compliance with Texas A&M System policies 08.01 and 12.01, which govern academic freedom, responsibility, and course content standards.
In November, the Texas A&M Board of Regents amended the policy to prohibit courses from advocating race or gender ideology.
The review resulted in the cancellation of six courses—about 0.11 percent of those offered this semester—spread across several colleges: one in the Bush School of Government and Public Service, two in the College of Arts and Sciences, two in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and one in the College of Education and Human Development.
Administrators say academic advisors worked to ensure the cancellations did not derail any student’s degree progress and that affected students were able to adjust schedules and remain on track to graduate as planned.
Interim President Tommy Williams framed the review as part of a broader effort to tighten oversight and rebuild confidence in the institution following public outcry last year, most prominently over course content that instructed students on how to introduce LGBT material to children as young as three.
“For 150 years, Texas A&M has led the way for higher education in Texas, our mission unchanged,” Williams said. “Strong oversight and standards protect academic integrity and restore public trust, guaranteeing that a degree from Texas A&M means something to our students and the people who will hire them. That has been our focus through this process and will remain our focus as we move forward.”
Faculty members and department heads reportedly modified hundreds of syllabi across 17 colleges and schools to meet the policy requirements.
As part of the process, deans were allowed to request exceptions for non–core curriculum courses if certain controversial or policy‑sensitive topics were deemed directly relevant to the subject matter. In total, 54 courses were sent to the president and provost for final review under this exception process, and the president ultimately granted 48 exceptions.
Texas A&M also announced it is winding down academic program offerings in Women’s and Gender Studies, including certain bachelor’s degrees and a graduate certificate. The university cited both the requirements of system policies and what it described as limited student interest in recent years as reasons for the decision.
Currently, the program has 25 students majoring and 31 students minoring.
Those students will be allowed to complete their degrees, but the program will not continue in its current form for future cohorts.
Provost Alan Sams praised faculty and staff for carrying out the review under heightened scrutiny. “By working together, we will continue to provide a rigorous, relevant and future‑focused educational experience that prepares our students to lead with knowledge, integrity and purpose.”
University leaders insist that core elements of a traditional education will remain in place.
Officials specifically pushed back on claims of censorship from professors amplified by left-wing news outlets that the review would eliminate exposure to classic texts, noting that students will still have opportunities in at least a dozen classes to study the works of Plato this semester and in future semesters.
Texas A&M University is a component of the Texas A&M University System. System Chancellor Glenn Hegar praised the actions of the university and wrote, “This effort is not limited to one campus. Similar reviews are underway across the Texas A&M University System, reinforcing shared standards while respecting the distinct missions of our universities.”
“Going forward, we will continue to apply this level of rigor to ensure Board policy is implemented faithfully and that our academic programs reflect the expectations of the people of Texas,” added Hegar.
The Texas A&M University System is overseen by a Board of Regents that is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Robert Albritton of Fort Worth is the current board chairman.
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