This article has been updated since publication.
More university systems in Texas are initiating audits of classes and curricula in order to comply with a new state law. This follows Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and the University of Texas-Austin announcing that they were running similar audits.
“Texas Woman’s University System is in the process of establishing a review of academic courses and programs, in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws,” a spokesperson for the Denton-based system told Texas Scorecard on Wednesday.
It was widely reported that on September 29, Michael Williams, the chancellor of TWUS’ neighbor, the University of North Texas System, had ordered a streamlined review of academic curricula and programs, including syllabi, to meet all relevant executive orders, court rulings, and state and federal laws. UNT campuses have a January 1 deadline to comply. The UNT System did not respond to a request for comment.
In contrast, a spokesperson for the University of Texas System stated its review is already underway.
“The U.T. System has been reviewing courses on gender identity taught at all U.T. institutions to ensure compliance and alignment with applicable law and state and federal guidance, and to make sure any courses that are taught on U.T. campuses are aligned with the direction and priorities of the Board of Regents,” the statement read. “This review will be discussed at the November Board of Regents’ meeting.”
On September 26, a spokesperson for UT-Austin stated that campus was auditing classes and curricula. This was in response to the discovery that a university department was promoting LGBT ideology.
The Texas State University System set a deadline of January 20 for its seven institutions to report the findings of their audits. A spokesperson shared a copy of Chief Academic Officer Dr. John Hayek’s October 1 letter asking each campus’ academic leadership “to conduct a collaborative review of [their] academic courses, programs, and syllabi.”
Hayek outlined the review’s criteria: verify the accuracy of course descriptions with regard to content, outcomes, and intent; assess whether courses and programs align with student, institutional, workforce, and community needs and promote “effective teaching and learning”; and reaffirm courses’ and programs’ academic value.
A spokesperson for the University of Houston confirmed it too is conducting a review. “The University of Houston follows state and federal law and expects faculty to teach according to their syllabus,” the spokesperson wrote. “The University is conducting a review of General Education courses to ensure compliance with SB 37 requirements.”
These developments follow a September 9 statement from the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents asking Chancellor Glenn Hegar “to audit every course and ensure full compliance with all applicable laws.” Public outcry after revelations of a Texas A&M instructor throwing a student out of class for objecting to promoting transgenderism to minors triggered that move.
In a September 25 memo, outgoing Texas Tech University System Chancellor Tedd Mitchell mandated faculty adherence to laws recognizing only two biological sexes. He also mentioned that each of the system’s universities are “reviewing course materials, curricula, syllabi, and other instructional documents.”
During summer 2025, Gov. Greg Abbott signed the university reform measure Senate Bill 37. One of its requirements is for boards of regents to review general education curricula every five years to ensure they deliver foundational knowledge for postsecondary success, prepare students for civic and professional life, equip them for workforce participation and societal betterment, and meet accreditation standards for breadth.
The Texas Tech University System Board of Regents picked the law’s author, State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe) to replace Mitchell as its new chancellor and CEO effective November 10.
Not all in academia are happy with the changes. A professor’s union advised faculty throughout the Texas A&M University System to “resist” their employers’ efforts to hold them accountable for classroom instruction.
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