University of Texas System Audits Gender Studies Courses

Austin, Texas, October 2, 2025

News Summary

The University of Texas System plans to audit gender studies courses across its 14 institutions to ensure compliance with state law. This decision comes amid scrutiny over LGBTQ content in higher education as political pressures rise. With an annual enrollment of about 260,000 students, the review will be discussed at the upcoming Board of Regents meeting in November, amidst concerns about academic freedom and curriculum censorship in Texas universities.

AUSTIN, Texas – The University of Texas System has announced an audit of gender studies courses across its 14 institutions, including UT Austin, to ensure compliance with state law and the Board of Regents’ priorities. This review will be discussed at the upcoming Board of Regents meeting in November.

With an annual enrollment of approximately 260,000 students, the UT System’s decision comes following a month of scrutiny regarding course content related to gender identity and LGBTQ studies within Texas public universities. A recent report indicated that courses at UT Austin were audited to identify content that could be perceived as “pushing LGBTQ ideology.”

UT spokesperson Mike Rosen confirmed that an audit of classes and overall curriculum is currently in progress, although details regarding the audit’s start date have not been released. The situation escalated after significant administrative changes at Texas A&M, following a professor’s discussion of gender identity in a children’s literature course. This incident intensified backlash against LGBTQ studies in Texas universities.

Amid political pressure, Republican politicians, including Texas State Representative Brian Harrison, have called for the firing of professors and the censorship of courses that contain perceived liberal content. The Texas Tech University System also announced it would restrict discussions on transgender identities in classrooms. Legislative measures such as Senate Bill 37 enable public institutions to review curricula, influencing the UT System’s recent actions.

Currently, there is no law in Texas that explicitly prohibits the teaching of LGBTQ topics; however, conservative groups assert that such teaching violates their values. Critics express concerns that the UT System’s review threatens academic freedom and students’ rights to learn openly. There has been substantial pressure on universities to align course offerings with both state and federal guidelines, impacting faculty governance and curriculum decisions.

This controversy surrounding audits and reviews highlights broader national debates about academic content focusing on gender and diversity. A recent study from the American Association of University Professors indicated a trend of professors exploring employment opportunities outside of Texas due to the rising political interference in academia.

Key Details

• Institution Involved: University of Texas System
• Number of Institutions: 14
• Annual Enrollment: Approximately 260,000 students
• Upcoming Meeting Date: November (specific date not provided)
• Legislative Context: Review influenced by Senate Bill 37
• Current Political Climate: Increased scrutiny and calls for restriction of gender identity discussions
• Criticism of Audits: Threats to academic freedom and student learning rights

Conclusion

The UT System’s ongoing audit of gender studies courses signifies an emerging trend within Texas public universities amidst growing legislative scrutiny and social controversy surrounding gender and LGBTQ content. As the discussions continue, the implications for academic freedom and curriculum development remain a central concern for educators and students alike.

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Additional Resources

• Statesman: UT System Audits Gender Courses
• Wikipedia: Gender Studies
• The Daily Texan: UT System Audit Announcement
• Google Search: UT System Audit Gender Studies
• New York Times: Texas Professor Fired
• Google Scholar: Gender Ideology Education
• Advocate: Texas University Gender Studies Controversy
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Gender Identity
• WISTV: University Professor Fired
• Google News: Texas Gender Studies

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