Overview

• A system-wide memo instructs the five Texas Tech University System campuses to recognize only two human sexes in teaching, making it the first Texas university system to formally limit such classroom discussion.
• Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell cites a new Texas law, a January executive order from President Donald Trump, and a directive from Gov. Greg Abbott as the basis for the guidance.
• The letter does not spell out specific prohibitions or enforcement steps and calls the issue a developing area of law.
• University presidents were told to review syllabi, course materials, and curricula and to make timely adjustments, with faculty directed to seek guidance from deans or provosts.
• ACLU Texas, FIRE, AAUP, and Equality Texas argue the cited measures do not bar teaching about transgender identity and warn of threats to academic freedom, as the directive follows Angelo State’s earlier restrictions and the recent Texas A&M controversy.