The Texas Tech University System released new guidelines Monday on how faculty can teach about race and gender in the classrooms.
Chancellor Brandon Creighton sent a memo to the system’s presidents that said faculty cannot teach that there are more than two genders and put restrictions on how race can be discussed.
“State law and federal policy dictate only two sexes, male and female, are recognized. Faculty are expected to comply with these standards when instructing students in their professional capacity, which includes submitting course content related to gender identity through the course content review process overseen by the Board of Regents,” one part of the memo reads.
In regards to race, faculty cannot teach an individual can be inherently racist due to their race or gender, that individuals bear responsibility for the actions of others in their racial group or that meritocracy is racist or sexist.
Course content related to sexual orientation will need to be approved through a process as well, according to the memo, obtained by The Dallas Morning News.
“If a faculty member believes a particular material or topic described above is implicated in their instruction or course materials, they must follow the Course Content Review Process provided with this memorandum and the attached Course Content Review Process flowchart,” the memo reads.
It says noncompliance with these standards could lead to disciplinary action.
The memo comes after Angelo State University released similar guidelines restricting teaching of LGBTQ topics and Texas A&M fired a professor who kicked a student out of class who questioned the legality of teaching more than two genders in the classroom.