After Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to fire Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh over the university’s involvement in a conference enforcing racial exclusions, Welsh announced that Texas A&M had withdrawn its participation.

The PhD Project Conference in Chicago promotes DEI while explicitly excluding white and Asian students from attending—a direct violation of Texas law. The event was promoted to students and staff of Mays Business School at Texas A&M.

Senate Bill 17 banning DEI policies in Texas public universities took effect last year. It mandates institutions eliminate DEI offices and prohibits hiring contractors to perform the duties of a DEI office.

Today, Welsh announced that the university has terminated its participation in the conference.

“While the proper process for reviewing and approving attendance at such events was followed, I don’t believe we fully considered the spirit of our state law in making the initial decision to participate,” Welsh wrote.

On Monday, Journalist Christopher Rufo revealed that Texas A&M was organizing travel to the conference. Rufo posted emails stating that the Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship of Mays Business School, Michael Withers, consulted with the A&M Office of General Counsel, which initially permitted the activity.

Gov. Greg Abbott responded to the controversy on X, writing “Hell no. It’s against Texas law and violates the U.S. Constitution. It will be fixed immediately, or the president will soon be gone.”

Welsh responded to Rufo’s report with the following statement: “Texas A&M does not support any organization, conference, process or activity that excludes people based on race, creed, gender, age or any other discriminating factor. The intent of SB-17 is very clear in that regard. We will continue to honor both the letter and the intent of the law.”

“Texas A&M faculty and staff attend hundreds, if not thousands, of conferences and other events during the course of each academic year,” Welsh concluded in the most recent statement. “We need to be sure that attendance at those events is aligned with the very clear guidance we’ve been given by our governing bodies.”

Welsh has a long history of supporting DEI initiatives, including DEI recruitment practices at the Air Force Academy.

The Texas A&M University System is overseen by a Board of Regents. They are appointed by Gov. Abbott and confirmed by the Texas Senate.

Valerie Muñoz

Valerie Muñoz is a native South Texan and a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she studied journalism. She is passionate about delivering clear and comprehensive news to Texans.

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