"Over the past several years, Texas has moved from griping about "woke campuses" to fundamentally restructuring the governance, curriculum, and tenure protections of its public universities. The cumulative effect is not reform. It's consolidation of power. And the target is the traditional independence of higher education. TL:DR - send your kids to Texas public universities, and it's like having the Texas legislature teach your kids."
"The End Of DEI Offices - Not That There Was DEI In 2023, Texas enacted Senate Bill 17, which effectively dismantled diversity, equity, and inclusion offices at public universities. Institutions shuttered DEI divisions, laid off staff, and scrubbed websites. Faculty were warned against programming or hiring practices that might be construed as DEI-adjacent. Supporters framed the move as viewpoint neutrality. But eliminating administrative structures that facilitate recruitment, retention, and compliance with civil rights norms doesn't create neutrality."
Texas eliminated campus diversity, equity, and inclusion offices via Senate Bill 17, prompting universities to close DEI divisions, lay off staff, and discourage DEI-related programming and hiring. State legislation introduced new review layers for tenure and empowered politically appointed governing boards to evaluate tenured faculty. Decision-making authority shifted from professional administrators and campus leaders toward political overseers and the legislature, consolidating control over governance, curriculum, and personnel. Faculty demographics at many public institutions remain predominantly white and from elite schools, reducing the practical effect of DEI removal while signaling whose perspectives will dominate. Students and faculty face increased politicization and constraints on academic freedom.
Read at Above the Law
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