Texas Governor Greg Abbott has openly stated his administration’s intent to address what he terms the promotion of “leftist ideologies” by faculty within the state’s higher education (HE) system. In a recent social media post, Abbott asserted that Texas is “targeting professors who are more focused on pushing leftist ideologies rather than preparing students to lead our nation.” This stance has been widely reported by Higher Ed Dive.
Texas HE faculty face political scrutiny as Gov. Abbott targets leftist ideologies. (Getty Images)
Abbott’s comments surfaced after the University of Texas at Austin removed psychology professor Art Markman from his position as senior vice provost for academic affairs. Markman shared on LinkedIn that his removal was due to “ideological differences,” without elaborating further.
New State Laws Reshape Higher Education Governance and Free Speech
Two significant new laws in Texas have reshaped the governance structure of public colleges. Effective September 1, this legislation reduced faculty authority in academic governance, reassigning control to political appointees. This shift also includes establishing a new higher education ombudsman role, as reported by Higher Ed Dive.
Later that same month, the Texas Legislature established specialized committees in both legislative chambers to scrutinize “bias, discourse, and freedom of speech” across public academic institutions. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick controversially linked these investigations to the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, claiming Kirk was “assassinated for simply expressing his First Amendment rights,” according to Higher Ed Dive.
Legal Challenges to Campus Free Speech Restrictions
Student organizations within the University of Texas system have launched lawsuits challenging another law signed by Governor Abbott. This law restricts protected speech or expressive conduct on campuses between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), representing the students, condemned the law as “blatantly unconstitutional,” as cited by Higher Ed Dive.
A federal judge has since issued a temporary injunction, blocking the University of Texas System from enforcing this law while the legal proceedings are underway.
UT-Austin Curriculum Task Force Sparks Faculty Concerns
Faculty members at UT-Austin have voiced apprehension regarding a recently announced “Core Curriculum Task Force,” designed to overhaul the university’s general education curriculum. All eighteen members of this panel were appointed directly by university leadership, raising eyebrows.
Faculty members conveyed to The Guardian, as reported by Higher Ed Dive, that they fear the potential elimination of entire departments, particularly those focused on ethnic and regional studies, none of which are represented on the task force.
Ongoing Faculty Firings Amidst Political Scrutiny
Art Markman is just one among several Texas professors who have been recently ousted from their positions. At Texas A&M University, a children’s literature professor was terminated after a state lawmaker circulated a video depicting the professor discussing gender identity. Consequently, both the department head and dean involved in the case were also removed. Texas A&M President Mark Welsh resigned the following week, as reported by Higher Ed Dive.
Similarly, at Texas State University, history professor Tom Alter was dismissed following his participation in an online socialist forum where he discussed class organization and hypothetically mentioned overthrowing the U.S. Texas State President Kelly Damphousse asserted that Alter’s actions constituted “serious professional and personal misconduct,” including incitement to violence, according to Higher Ed Dive.
Despite a judge’s order for the university to reinstate Alter and ensure due process, Texas State later confirmed his re-dismissal after a review. Alter has stated his intention to continue legal action against the university.