LUBBOCK, Texas – In a move that directly responds to Senate Bill 37, the Texas Tech University Board of Regents voted to eliminate 21 courses from the institution’s core curriculum. The courses, many of which focus on social‑justice themes, race, gender and the Holocaust, were removed after a mandated review that the law requires every five years.
Why the change matters for students
Regent Shelley Sweatt explained that the core curriculum is meant to provide every undergraduate with a set of foundational courses that prepare them for civic participation, professional life and a broad knowledge base. “The law asks us to certify that every core course is foundational and fundamental to a sound, post‑secondary education, is necessary to prepare students for civic and professional life, equips students for participation in the workforce and in the betterment of society, and ensures a breadth of knowledge and compliance with applicable accreditation standards,” Sweatt said.
The eliminated courses include “Literature, Social Justice and the Environment,” “Intersectionalities: Race, Class and Gender in a Global World,” and a class examining the Holocaust in literature and film. While these titles will no longer count toward the core, Sweatt emphasized that they will remain available as electives or as part of majors and minors.
Implementation timeline
Students currently enrolled for the 2026‑27 academic year will not see any changes to their schedules this spring. The new core requirements take effect for students beginning in the fall of 2027, giving the university time to adjust advising and catalog listings.
Political backdrop
Senate Bill 37, passed by the Texas Legislature in the most recent session, mandates that public universities review their core curricula at least once every five years to ensure compliance with state standards. The bill reflects a broader push by Texas leaders to prioritize traditional academic fundamentals over what some view as ideologically driven content.
Chancellor Brandon Creighton, who authored the law while serving as a Republican state senator, is currently facing a lawsuit over other directives he issued that limit how professors can teach about race and gender. The lawsuit underscores the ongoing tension between state officials and faculty over academic freedom and curriculum control.
Future of the board
The composition of the Texas Tech Board of Regents could shift after the 2026 elections, when Democratic leadership is slated to take office. Any changes in board membership may influence future curriculum decisions, but the current action aligns with the administration’s stated goal of ensuring that core courses remain “foundational and fundamental.”
What this means for the community
For Lubbock residents and Texas Tech alumni, the decision signals a clear commitment by state‑aligned leaders to keep higher‑education curricula focused on core knowledge and workforce readiness. Parents and community members who have expressed concern over the prevalence of identity‑focused courses will likely view this as a positive step toward preserving academic standards that serve the broader public good.
Critics, however, argue that removing these courses from the core could limit students’ exposure to diverse perspectives and important historical lessons. The debate is expected to continue as the university implements the new requirements and as the board’s composition evolves.
Original reporting: CBS7 / First Alert 7 KOSA (Gray) — read the source article.
