Brandon Creighton, chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, recently issued a memorandum to the presidents of the system’s universities that restricts how faculty can discuss race and gender in the classroom.
Going forward, faculty in the Texas Tech University System are no longer able to advocate or promote that “one race or sex is inherently superior to another; an individual, by virtue or race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, consciously or unconsciously; any person should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment because of race or sex; moral character or worth is determined by race or sex; individuals bear responsibility or guilt for actions of others of the same race or sex; or meritocracy or a strong work ethic are racist, sexist, or constructors of oppression.”
The memorandum explains that advocacy or promotion of the above items means presenting them as “correct or requiring students to affirm” them, “rather than analyzing or critiquing them as one viewpoint among others.” Furthermore, the memorandum also restricts “course content that promotes activism on issues related to race or sex.” Additionally, Chancellor Creighton’s message expects faculty to recognize only two sexes in their instruction.
Any faculty who wishes to include these topics in their courses, in addition to content relating to sexual orientation, must follow a “course content review process” outlined in the memorandum. If the material is connected to any professional licensure or certification, or to patient and clinical care, it can be included in instruction, but must be disclosed to the faculty’s department chair, dean, and the provost. If the material is not connected to any professional requirements, the faculty must submit justification to their department chair, dean, and provost, who will make the final decision regarding the faculty’s request.
According to Chancellor Creighton, faculty who do not comply with his course content review process may be subject to disciplinary action.