Category: Academic Freedom
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A&M Restrictions on Academic Instruction Take “The Wrong Approach”
The following statement was delivered at a meeting of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents on Nov. 13, 2025, before the board adopted two policy changes. The first change prohibits any academic course to teach race or gender ideology or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity, unless the course and its…
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Stop the Attacks on Gender and LGBTQ+ Scholarship
In 1633, the Roman Inquisition forced Galileo Galilei to “abjure, curse, and detest” the doctrine of heliocentrism. Galileo knew that the earth revolved around the sun, but he said otherwise to save his life. Yet the astronomer had the last laugh. “Eppur si muove,” he reportedly said after his abjuration. The earth continued to revolve…
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Why TSUS Regents Must Suspend Hasty Course Reviews
Download available at the end of the statement. In 1633, the Roman Inquisition forced Galileo Galilei to “abjure, curse, and detest” the doctrine of heliocentrism. Galileo knew that the earth revolved around the sun, but he said otherwise to save his life. Yet the astronomer had the last laugh. “Eppur si muove,” he reportedly said…
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Why the TSUS Board of Regents Must Find in Dr. Alter’s Favor
San Marcos, TX (Oct. 21, 2025) — The Board of Regents of the Texas State University System (TSUS) is hearing the appeal of Dr. Thomas Alter, a tenured Associate Professor of History at Texas State University (TXST), who was summarily dismissed on Sept. 10, 2025, reappointed by court order, and then summarily dismissed again on…
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Cancel the Charge: AAUP-TXST Calls Upon System Leadership to Withdraw Order for Hasty University Course Reviews
Prior to any hastily ordered curriculum review that is conducted outside of regular order, the leadership of our System and our University should come forward with clear communication regarding the educational need for rushed course review and delegate “primary responsibility” to faculty for drafting proposed changes in policies as well as developing proposed tools for…
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Assault on Academic Freedom at Texas State University
For Immediate Release Texas State University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP-TXST) Statement Regarding the Assault on Academic Freedom at Texas State University SAN MARCOS, TX (Sept. 19, 2025) – The Texas State University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP-TXST) condemns Dr. Thomas Alter’s termination and the manner in…
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From Repression to Hope within a Week in April 2025
One week after the Texas Senate passed SB 37, the University Death Star Bill that would crater longstanding norms of academic freedom, shared governance, and due process on Texas campuses, two things happened outside Texas that lifted our hopes. First, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) released the 12th edition of AAUP Policy Documents…
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In the News: TXST Free Speech Policy Change
“Texas State changed its free speech policy to comply with a mandate from Gov. Greg Abbott that the governor says is meant to curb antisemitic language and incidents on the state’s public college campuses. Consequently, student groups have raised concerns about how the university will decide what it considers a policy violation.” Lucciana Choueiry, “Texas…
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“Sal” Frisella, Paul Patrick Day, and “Jeff” Hughes V. Dallas College
Three professors recently brought a class action lawsuit against Dallas College addressing faculty rights under the new state tenure law. Their case — Salvatore Frisella, Paul Patrick Day, and Howard Jeffrey Hughes V. Dallas College, filed in the Northern District of Texas Federal Court — could have broad-ranging implications for faculty across Texas according to…
Texas State University Chapter of AAUP 