The University of Texas at Austin appears poised to expedite a previously announced consolidation of ethnic and gender studies coursework within the College of Liberal Arts.
Interim liberal arts Dean David Sosa sent an email to faculty late last week in which he stated that the consolidation “will be finalized by Fall 2026.”
A left-wing media outlet reported the provost’s office wants these changes to be in place before state lawmakers return in January 2027. A university spokesman disputed this characterization, stating that “the academic calendar is what’s driving the timeline.”
“Anytime we implement structural changes to academic units we want those completed by the start of an academic year to avoid disruption,” the spokesman continued. “This is a common-sense administrative practice.”
While the university had not previously announced a timeline for this move, left-wing media had reported that the move was anticipated for Fall 2027.
Under the new arrangement, the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies, the Department of American Studies, the Department of Mexican American and Latina/Latino Studies, and the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies will be reconfigured as a new Department of Social and Cultural Analysis.
Several departments related to the study of European countries will combine into a Department of European and Eurasian Studies.
The course content for these new departments is currently under a review that will continue through the 2026-27 academic year. This review is separate from a review of the university’s core curriculum required under a new state law.
The move builds upon a recent announcement by Texas A&M that it would abolish its Department of Women’s and Gender Studies. Texas Tech prohibited advocacy of “race or sex-based prejudice” in December.
UT-Austin is a component institution 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.
