A new Texas law is causing controversy in the state’s universities, with some professors and students warning that it is leading to self-censorship and limiting academic freedom. The law, known as Senate Bill 37, gives governor-appointed regents greater authority over academics and university governance, including what courses students must take.

Debate Over Academic Freedom

Professors and students have expressed concerns that the law is being used to restrict the teaching of certain subjects, such as gender identity and race. Some have reported being forced to remove material from their courses or face disciplinary action. The law’s supporters, however, argue that it is necessary to ensure that universities are not promoting partisan ideologies or indoctrinating students.

University of Texas at San Antonio student Valentina Rivas Labarca said she transferred to the University of Houston after her school consolidated its race, ethnicity, and gender studies program. She argued that the law is having a chilling effect on academic freedom, making it difficult for students to study certain subjects. ‘Censorship doesn’t always begin by banning ideas,’ she said. ‘Sometimes it begins by making those ideas impossible to study.’

University Responses

University administrators, however, have downplayed the impact of the law, saying that it is being implemented with few problems. Texas Tech University System Chancellor Brandon Creighton, who authored the law, told a Senate committee that the law is being used to ensure that universities are preparing students for civic and professional life. He said that the law is not intended to restrict academic freedom, but rather to promote balance and fairness in the classroom.

Other university leaders have also defended the law, saying that it is necessary to ensure that universities are accountable to the public. University of North Texas System Chancellor Michael Williams said that the law has prompted a healthy review of academic programs, leading to the elimination of some programs with low enrollment.

Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.