DENTON, Texas — Before the upcoming semester, the University of North Texas removed words including race, gender and equity from several course titles and descriptions.

What You Need To Know

  • The University of North Texas has removed words including race, gender and equity from several course titles and descriptions

  • Sen. Brandon Creighton, who authored the DEI ban, said during a Senate hearing that DEI courses contradict the spirit of the law

  • Texas A&M University recently removed 52 low-producing programs, which included an LGBTQ studies minor

  • Professor Adam Briggle calls further restrictions of DEI in the classroom a slippery slope

“The College of Education is currently conducting its state-mandated curriculum alignment review to ensure its curriculum is in line with teacher education standards as required by the state,” the university said in a statement to Spectrum News. "In response to the review, we are updating course names, content, readings, etc. to align with the state’s standards for the training of teachers. This review is not related to SB17.”

But critics see the changes as overcompliance with a new state law that prohibits DEI departments and programs at public colleges and universities.

“They’re interpreting the law in a way that is completely counter to what the law actually says. And they’re doing it in a way that squashes faculty members’ academic freedom,” said Jeremy Young, leader of the Freedom to Learn Program at PEN America.

Sen. Brandon Creighton, who authored the DEI ban, said during a Senate hearing that DEI courses contradict the spirit of the law.

“We’re here for excellence. And we can achieve that together if we can get through some tough conversations about the difference between nomenclature and what units are called and what they’re really producing,” he said.

During a faculty meeting, UNT Chief Compliance Officer Clay Simmons advised faculty to generalize their research.

“So if you’re doing research on homelessness, you have to be very careful if you’re going to focus on a certain identity within homelessness. So if you’re looking at LGBTQ homeless individuals, then you have to make sure that that is narrowly tailored within the scope of work,” Simmons said.

Professor Adam Briggle’s current research focuses on health care for transgender youth.

“They’re engaging in anticipatory obedience by giving up this academic freedom before it’s even been asked from the state,” said Briggle.

The state’s DEI ban is designed to have exceptions for teaching and research, but Briggle doesn’t think the university would protect him if a complaint against his research was made.

“Right now they’re not really giving us any strong signals that they’re defending research and teaching freedoms here,” said Briggle.

This all comes as Texas A&M University recently removed 52 low-producing programs, which included an LGBTQ studies minor. The university says the move was not related to SB 17.

In January, Rep. Brian Harrison announced his disapproval of the LGBTQ minor and was told in September it would be removed. He plans to file legislation to withhold state funds from universities with similar courses.

“Not one more dollar to the Office of the President of any public college or university that is abusing tax dollars to fund liberal indoctrination on their campuses,” said Harrison.

Briggle calls further restrictions of DEI in the classroom a slippery slope.

“We also need to draw a line somewhere, and for me it’s teaching and research. Those need to be inviolable by the state and I am worried about us slipping into that,” he said.