Texas A&M Ends Women’s and Gender Studies Program: NPR Reports
Texas A&M University has announced the termination of its Women’s and Gender Studies Program. This decision aligns with a growing initiative to remove topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from its curriculum.
Overview of the Decision
On a recent Friday, the university revealed it had modified numerous courses and canceled six to adhere to a policy established in November. This policy requires approval from the campus president for teaching that introduces topics advocating race or gender ideology and issues around sexual orientation or gender identity.
Tommy Williams, interim president of Texas A&M, stated that these changes aim to “protect academic integrity and restore public trust.”
Reasons Behind the Changes
The university cited a combination of the new policy and declining student enrollment in the Women’s and Gender Studies Program as reasons for its closure. The program faced limited interest over several years, making its continuation increasingly untenable.
Reactions from the Academic Community
Ira Dworkin, an associate professor of English and vice president of the American Association of University Professors at Texas A&M, expressed strong disapproval of the decision. He described it as an unprecedented political interference from the university’s Board of Regents, all appointed by Governor Greg Abbott.
Dworkin stated, “This is absolutely devastating for faculty and students who have made significant contributions in this field. It’s a tragedy for the state of Texas.”
Broader Implications
Critics of liberal education models praised the decision. Inez Stepman, a senior analyst at Independent Women, remarked, “The era of woke activism training camps funded by taxpayers is over.” She emphasized that if universities wish to maintain such programs, they should operate as private entities.
Texas A&M University is one of the largest public institutions in the United States, catering to over 81,000 students. The decision to discontinue the Women’s and Gender Studies Program follows a trend seen in other universities, such as the University of Iowa and Wichita State University, which have also dismantled similar programs in recent years.
National Trends
In 2025, the National Women’s Studies Association expressed concerns regarding this movement. They stated they were “saddened, frightened, and enraged about the current state of the field.”
The elimination of such programs raises significant questions about academic freedom and the future of gender studies in American higher education.
