Words like “race” and “equity” have been removed from 78 course titles at the University of North Texas, The Dallas Morning News reported.
According to an email from one faculty member to his colleagues, the changes came as a result of Texas’ anti–diversity, equity and inclusion bill SB 17, which went into effect last January, and an order from Texas lieutenant governor Dan Patrick’s for lawmakers to review university syllabi for DEI content. SB 17 bans DEI offices and programs but specifically carves out an exception for course instruction.
But a UNT spokesperson told the Morning News that the changes were not related to SB 17 and were instead part of a routine curriculum review and update.
The name changes sparked backlash from faculty as well as outside organizations like PEN America, a free expression nonprofit, which called the move “extreme overcompliance.”
The changes come shortly after the board of another Texas university system, Texas A&M University, eliminated its LGBTQ+ studies minor. Though that cut came as part of the termination of 52 low-enrollment programs, Republican state representative Brian Harrison took credit for the move in an interview with Inside Higher Ed, saying he hoped to end other similar programs elsewhere in the state.
Other lawmakers also seem concerned about courses on DEI-related topics. The Morning News reported that in a meeting of the Texas Senate’s higher education subcommittee last week, committee leader Brandon Creighton, SB 17’s sponsor, said, “While DEI-related curriculum and course content does not explicitly violate the letter of the law, it indeed contradicts its spirit.”
