College Station, Texas, September 10, 2025
News Summary
Texas A&M University has dismissed two senior officials and terminated a professor due to backlash over LGBTQ-related content in a children’s literature course. The decision follows a confrontational video involving a student objecting to course material. This controversy has drawn significant political pressure and scrutiny over university curricula, especially with the new Senate Bill 37 in effect, granting regents more authority over course content and affecting faculty autonomy.
College Station, Texas – Texas A&M University has removed two senior officials from their positions and terminated a professor following a dispute over LGBTQ-related content in a children’s literature course. The decision was announced by President Mark A. Welsh III after a controversy erupted due to a viral video that showed a student confronting the professor regarding the course material.
In the video, the student expressed objections to the professor’s discussion on gender identity, citing religious beliefs and an executive order from former President Donald Trump. The ensuing backlash prompted multiple Republican lawmakers and the U.S. Department of Justice to call for investigations into the university’s handling of the situation.
Welsh stated that the removals were necessary because the officials had approved plans to teach content that was not aligned with the course’s official description. He reiterated that maintaining consistency between course materials and catalog descriptions is crucial for fostering student trust in the academic environment.
Initially, Welsh had indicated that the professor would not be dismissed. However, this stance changed as political pressure intensified following the video’s circulation. Texas A&M System Chancellor Glenn Hegar announced that he would collaborate with the Board of Regents to take disciplinary action against the professor involved in the controversy.
The controversy coincided with the implementation of Senate Bill 37, a new law that grants regents more oversight of curricula and reduces faculty control over course content. This legislative change has added a layer of scrutiny to the university’s teaching practices, making the actions of the officials involved even more consequential.
Following a review led by the chancellor, it was determined that the professor had failed to comply with stipulated guidelines regarding course materials. In light of this, and accumulating public outcry, the university system initiated an audit of all its courses to ensure compliance and mitigate similar incidents in the future.
Governor Greg Abbott has previously threatened to take action against Welsh regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at Texas A&M, further aligning the university’s administrative decisions with political sentiments in the state. Welsh became president in 2023, following the resignation of former President M. Katherine Banks, amidst increasing political control over public higher education institutions.
The removal of the officials and the professor has drawn critical responses from advocacy groups, including PEN America, which argues that these actions represent a concerning trend toward the erosion of academic freedom in Texas higher education.
The case continues to develop as the situation draws attention from state lawmakers and national advocates for academic integrity.
FAQs
What prompted the removal of the officials at Texas A&M University?
The officials were removed due to their approval of course materials that did not match the stated description, leading to student and public backlash over LGBTQ content.
What actions were taken against the professor involved?
The professor was terminated following the university’s review that found a lack of alignment between the course content and the official requirements.
What political pressures influenced the university’s decisions?
Amidst calls from Republican lawmakers for investigations and pressure from the U.S. Department of Justice, the university faced scrutiny over its curriculum, particularly regarding LGBTQ topics.
How does this incident relate to new legislation in Texas?
This controversy coincided with the implementation of Senate Bill 37, which increases regents’ control over university curricula, impacting faculty autonomy.
What has been the reaction from advocacy groups?
Organizations like PEN America have criticized the removals, suggesting they represent a troubling trend that undermines academic freedom in Texas schools.
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Additional Resources
- Austin American-Statesman
- Wikipedia: Texas A&M University
- The Washington Post
- Google Search: Texas A&M gender identity controversy
- Houston Chronicle
- Google Scholar: Texas A&M gender identity controversy
- Fox News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas A&M
- The Hill
- Google News: Texas A&M gender identity controversy
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