Texas Tech Limits Faculty Teaching on Race, Gender
Chancellor Brandon Creighton's directives call for phasing out academic programs centered on race, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Higher Education
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Texas Tech University implemented policies restricting how faculty teach about race, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Chancellor Brandon Creighton issued directives in December 2025 and April 2026 calling for phasing out academic programs centered on these topics.
Why it matters
The restrictions have created uncertainty among faculty about permissible course material and have prompted changes to course materials across the university system. The policies extend beyond statutory requirements, reflecting the chancellor's view that state law serves as a floor for potential restrictions.
The chancellor's office issued two directives, in December 2025 and April 2026, that restrict faculty classroom content and call for phasing out programs. The number of affected programs and courses has not been disclosed in the available information.
The players
Brandon Creighton
Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System who issued the directives and previously authored Senate Bill 17 and Senate Bill 37 in the Texas Legislature.
Texas Tech University
Public university in Lubbock, Texas, and the flagship institution of the Texas Tech University System implementing the restrictions.
The details
Creighton issued the restrictions through directives from the chancellor's office, outlining permitted classroom content. Some faculty have continued discussing the policies with students despite administrator instructions not to do so, and Creighton has disputed characterizations of the restrictions as censorship.
Timeline
November 2025: Brandon Creighton is appointed chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.
December 2025: First directive restricting faculty classroom content is issued.
April 2026: Second directive calls for phasing out academic programs centered on these topics.
Legal Context
The directives build on Senate Bill 17 (2023), which banned diversity, equity and inclusion offices at Texas public universities while exempting classroom instruction. Texas Tech's restrictions reach into classroom content in ways the earlier law did not require.
Students enrolled in courses touching on race, gender or sexuality may see changes to syllabi and reading lists as programs are phased out. Families choosing a Texas public university can review how the chancellor's directives may affect the curriculum they encounter.
The takeaway
Students and families considering Texas public universities should examine current course catalogs closely, since curriculum availability may shift as chancellor directives are implemented. Checking directly with department advisers can clarify which courses remain offered.
Further reading
For more on the policy debate, explore Higher Education coverage across Texas.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RocketNews.
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