The University of Texas at Austin has announced the first phase of a long-rumored restructuring of its College of Liberal Arts. The changes will include a review of all course materials used in a series of majors, including ethnic and gender studies programs.
In a letter to the university community, President Jim Davis stated that he asked the provost to review the College of Liberal Arts’ “organizational structure.” This review uncovered “significant inconsistencies and fragmentation across the college’s departments.”
To address these issues, the College of Liberal Arts will consolidate seven departments into two.
The Department of African and African Diaspora Studies, Department of American Studies, Department of Mexican American and Latina/Latino Studies, and 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.
Davis further stated, “We are also initiating a review of the curriculum of these areas to determine what majors, minors, and courses will be offered in the newly formed departments.”
This review is separate from a review of the university’s core curriculum required under a new state law.
Davis’ letter does not specify a timeline for this process, although several faculty members told a left-wing media outlet they expect to finalize this process for the fall 2027 semester.
UT-Austin’s 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.
