Texas Conference of the AAUP
@texasaaup.bsky.social
We are an association of all AAUP members in Texas #HigherEd. Join us as we advocate for faculty and instructors through the state. Become involved in a local chapter or start one!
https://connect.aft.org/app/memberforms/8041A/JoinTheFight
https://connect.aft.org/app/memberforms/8041A/JoinTheFight
Pinned
🔔Our open letter to academic leaders in TX: “As pressures mount on TX public institutions of higher education, we write on behalf of faculty across the state to remind you of your obligations to protect academic freedom and due process.”
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Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
A crucial first step. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
Texas A&M Was Wrong to Fire Professor Over Gender Lesson, Panel Rules
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:43 PM
A crucial first step. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
“The history of creating lists of Jewish people for the government is one of the most frightening in world history,” Ms. Shanor said in an interview on Friday. “And the idea that this is being done in the interest of the Jewish community is particularly frightening.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
Federal Suit Seeking Names of Some Jewish Employees at Penn Sparks Backlash
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
“The history of creating lists of Jewish people for the government is one of the most frightening in world history,” Ms. Shanor said in an interview on Friday. “And the idea that this is being done in the interest of the Jewish community is particularly frightening.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
After Texas news outlets made a public records request to see emails Gov. Abbott and Musk’s companies, state officials took months fighting and delaying their release.
Then, they released 1,374 pages with all but 200 of those pages entirely blacked out. trib.al/ldzeTdi
Then, they released 1,374 pages with all but 200 of those pages entirely blacked out. trib.al/ldzeTdi
Abbott Releases—and Blacks Out—1,400 Pages of Emails With Elon Musk
Texas Governor Greg Abbott was forced to reveal his emails with Musk. He didn’t totally comply.
trib.al
November 22, 2025 at 6:02 PM
After Texas news outlets made a public records request to see emails Gov. Abbott and Musk’s companies, state officials took months fighting and delaying their release.
Then, they released 1,374 pages with all but 200 of those pages entirely blacked out. trib.al/ldzeTdi
Then, they released 1,374 pages with all but 200 of those pages entirely blacked out. trib.al/ldzeTdi
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
AAUP General Counsel Veena Dubal goes over the numerous unlawful demands that the Trump admin made of the University of California system, which chilled speech across campuses.
Our victory in AAUP v. Trump, led by a historic wall-to-wall coalition of UC labor unions, blocked this wrongful assault.
Our victory in AAUP v. Trump, led by a historic wall-to-wall coalition of UC labor unions, blocked this wrongful assault.
November 21, 2025 at 6:49 PM
AAUP General Counsel Veena Dubal goes over the numerous unlawful demands that the Trump admin made of the University of California system, which chilled speech across campuses.
Our victory in AAUP v. Trump, led by a historic wall-to-wall coalition of UC labor unions, blocked this wrongful assault.
Our victory in AAUP v. Trump, led by a historic wall-to-wall coalition of UC labor unions, blocked this wrongful assault.
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Our most recent AAUP TV episode breaks down AAUP v. Trump, a historic wall-to-wall labor union lawsuit that resulted in a preliminary injunction stopping the Trump-Vance administration's attempt to stifle free speech & academic freedom across the University of California system.
Full episode here👇
Full episode here👇
What the Victory in AAUP v. Trump means for the UC System and Higher Education
YouTube video by TheAAUP
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Our most recent AAUP TV episode breaks down AAUP v. Trump, a historic wall-to-wall labor union lawsuit that resulted in a preliminary injunction stopping the Trump-Vance administration's attempt to stifle free speech & academic freedom across the University of California system.
Full episode here👇
Full episode here👇
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
This list of banned terms for an invited speaker is a clear First Amendment violation when issued by a public university. I hope someone sues them. And if they have any integrity, they will be very happy to lose as then they can say "sorry, we tried" and go back to ordinary business.
November 21, 2025 at 4:17 PM
This list of banned terms for an invited speaker is a clear First Amendment violation when issued by a public university. I hope someone sues them. And if they have any integrity, they will be very happy to lose as then they can say "sorry, we tried" and go back to ordinary business.
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
In this Profiles in Constitutional Courage and Cowardice edition, we recognize 7 universities for their refusal to sign Trump’s “compact” that would curb academic freedom and undercut diversity initiatives in exchange for preferential federal funding. https://tinyurl.com/fk5fr582
Profiles in Constitutional Courage and Cowardice
Inspired by generations of Americans who met the test of democracy with conscience and conviction, this series highlight
tinyurl.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:13 PM
In this Profiles in Constitutional Courage and Cowardice edition, we recognize 7 universities for their refusal to sign Trump’s “compact” that would curb academic freedom and undercut diversity initiatives in exchange for preferential federal funding. https://tinyurl.com/fk5fr582
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Texas A&M Was Wrong to Fire Professor Over Gender Lesson, Panel Rules
The firing put the school at the center of national debates over gender identity and academic freedom. A faculty panel ruled unanimously against the termination.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
The firing put the school at the center of national debates over gender identity and academic freedom. A faculty panel ruled unanimously against the termination.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
Texas A&M Was Wrong to Fire Professor Over Gender Lesson, Panel Rules
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Texas A&M Was Wrong to Fire Professor Over Gender Lesson, Panel Rules
The firing put the school at the center of national debates over gender identity and academic freedom. A faculty panel ruled unanimously against the termination.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
The firing put the school at the center of national debates over gender identity and academic freedom. A faculty panel ruled unanimously against the termination.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Faculty senates are under attack from new legislation that sidelines faculty voices and undermines academic freedom. The latest AAUP report defends independent, representative governance as essential to higher ed’s integrity. @aaup.org academeblog.org/2025/11/18/i...
In Defense of an Independent and Representative Faculty Voice: The Case of Faculty Senates
BY AFSHAN JAFAR We have recently seen accelerating legislative and political attacks on faculty governing bodies at state institutions, including legislation recently enacted in Indiana, Ohio, Utah…
academeblog.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Faculty senates are under attack from new legislation that sidelines faculty voices and undermines academic freedom. The latest AAUP report defends independent, representative governance as essential to higher ed’s integrity. @aaup.org academeblog.org/2025/11/18/i...
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
“We were hopeful that the UC system would defend itself legally,” says Veena Dubal, general counsel to the AAUP.
After UCLA published the administration’s 27-page list of demands in August, she says, the AAUP decided it couldn’t wait any longer:
“We couldn’t not sue, they were so outrageous.”
After UCLA published the administration’s 27-page list of demands in August, she says, the AAUP decided it couldn’t wait any longer:
“We couldn’t not sue, they were so outrageous.”
Commentary: The UC faculty just won a big court victory over Trump. But why didn't UC join their lawsuit?
The UC faculty went to court to fight Trump's funding cutoffs and won. Why has the university system tried to negotiate instead?
www.latimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:16 PM
“We were hopeful that the UC system would defend itself legally,” says Veena Dubal, general counsel to the AAUP.
After UCLA published the administration’s 27-page list of demands in August, she says, the AAUP decided it couldn’t wait any longer:
“We couldn’t not sue, they were so outrageous.”
After UCLA published the administration’s 27-page list of demands in August, she says, the AAUP decided it couldn’t wait any longer:
“We couldn’t not sue, they were so outrageous.”
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
In this new @usnews.com article, five law profs (including me) with vastly different views on most issues explain why colleges should reject Trump's "Compact" with higher ed, for both constitutional and policy reasons: www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
www.usnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:47 PM
In this new @usnews.com article, five law profs (including me) with vastly different views on most issues explain why colleges should reject Trump's "Compact" with higher ed, for both constitutional and policy reasons: www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Really pleased to learn that one of our students, Kristen Waddell, has won a national award for her NSF-funded research on local water quality. Congratulations to Kristen and to my teaching colleague, Dr. Daisy Zhang.
Folks, we're a community college.
www.kiiitv.com/article/news...
Folks, we're a community college.
www.kiiitv.com/article/news...
DMC student’s water-quality research earns national recognition
Kristen Waddell has spent more than a year using new techniques to study water quality in South Texas, using samples collected directly from Baffin Bay.
www.kiiitv.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Really pleased to learn that one of our students, Kristen Waddell, has won a national award for her NSF-funded research on local water quality. Congratulations to Kristen and to my teaching colleague, Dr. Daisy Zhang.
Folks, we're a community college.
www.kiiitv.com/article/news...
Folks, we're a community college.
www.kiiitv.com/article/news...
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
1. Texas A&M has voted that Professors must seek out official permission to talk about trans people, sexuality, or race.
One of the professors said that the new policy would make routine lessons on things like the Holocaust impossible.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
One of the professors said that the new policy would make routine lessons on things like the Holocaust impossible.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Texas A&M Votes That Professors Must Have Permission To Discuss Trans People, Sexuality or Race
The Texas Board of Regents said it wasn’t restricting “teaching,” but professors—and a university press release—says otherwise.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:27 AM
1. Texas A&M has voted that Professors must seek out official permission to talk about trans people, sexuality, or race.
One of the professors said that the new policy would make routine lessons on things like the Holocaust impossible.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
One of the professors said that the new policy would make routine lessons on things like the Holocaust impossible.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
AAUP-TAMU-CS statement regarding BOR gender and race restrictions.
This fight is not over! We will continue to speak the truth, continue to defend our students, and continue to resist political efforts to distort education at Texas A&M.
This fight is not over! We will continue to speak the truth, continue to defend our students, and continue to resist political efforts to distort education at Texas A&M.
November 19, 2025 at 2:52 PM
AAUP-TAMU-CS statement regarding BOR gender and race restrictions.
This fight is not over! We will continue to speak the truth, continue to defend our students, and continue to resist political efforts to distort education at Texas A&M.
This fight is not over! We will continue to speak the truth, continue to defend our students, and continue to resist political efforts to distort education at Texas A&M.
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
No, we didn't "lose our mission" & we didn't focus too much on identity diversity at the expense of viewpoint diversity, & no one knows the right amount of that (bsky.app/profile/mcop...) & no amount of granting the premises warrants the lawless authoritarian assault on American universities.
November 18, 2025 at 10:15 PM
No, we didn't "lose our mission" & we didn't focus too much on identity diversity at the expense of viewpoint diversity, & no one knows the right amount of that (bsky.app/profile/mcop...) & no amount of granting the premises warrants the lawless authoritarian assault on American universities.
⭐️⭐️Today 1pm CST! ⬇️
From detaining student protesters to threatening to deport rival politicians, Trump has weaponized the immigration system to suppress dissent. Tmrw, join us, @nyulaw.bsky.social's Prof. Alina Das, and @knightcolumbia.org's Ramya Krishnan to discuss defending free speech in the immigration context.
November 19, 2025 at 3:31 PM
⭐️⭐️Today 1pm CST! ⬇️
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
· #AcademicSky · from UWN @uniworldnews.bsky.social
“Without academic freedom and institutional autonomy, we cannot have high-quality learning, teaching and research. Without academic freedom and institutional autonomy, we also cannot have a fully functional democracy.” —Sjur Bergan
“Without academic freedom and institutional autonomy, we cannot have high-quality learning, teaching and research. Without academic freedom and institutional autonomy, we also cannot have a fully functional democracy.” —Sjur Bergan
Magna Charta signatories top 1,000 amid growing threats
A Swedish university became the 1,000th signatory to the Magna Charta Universitatum on 13 November at a global convening of university leaders in Lond...
www.universityworldnews.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:08 AM
· #AcademicSky · from UWN @uniworldnews.bsky.social
“Without academic freedom and institutional autonomy, we cannot have high-quality learning, teaching and research. Without academic freedom and institutional autonomy, we also cannot have a fully functional democracy.” —Sjur Bergan
“Without academic freedom and institutional autonomy, we cannot have high-quality learning, teaching and research. Without academic freedom and institutional autonomy, we also cannot have a fully functional democracy.” —Sjur Bergan
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
AAUP opposed this resolution at the university, state, and national levels. This is an attack on students’ freedom to learn and faculty’s freedom to teach. It has immediately impacted Texas A&M’s stature and credibility. We stand in solidarity with our Aggie colleagues.
BREAKING: Texas A&M’s Board of Regents is now requiring approval for courses on race and gender. This is a direct attack on academic freedom and civil rights.
We urge Texas A&M to reverse course now and protect faculty and students!
We urge Texas A&M to reverse course now and protect faculty and students!
November 17, 2025 at 2:27 PM
AAUP opposed this resolution at the university, state, and national levels. This is an attack on students’ freedom to learn and faculty’s freedom to teach. It has immediately impacted Texas A&M’s stature and credibility. We stand in solidarity with our Aggie colleagues.
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Professors consider leaving UT over academic freedom concerns – The Daily Texan
https://www.newsbeep.com/us-tx/54071/
Editor’s note: All faculty are speaking for themselves and not on behalf of the University of Texas…
https://www.newsbeep.com/us-tx/54071/
Editor’s note: All faculty are speaking for themselves and not on behalf of the University of Texas…
Professors consider leaving UT over academic freedom concerns – The Daily Texan - Texas News Beep
www.newsbeep.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Professors consider leaving UT over academic freedom concerns – The Daily Texan
https://www.newsbeep.com/us-tx/54071/
Editor’s note: All faculty are speaking for themselves and not on behalf of the University of Texas…
https://www.newsbeep.com/us-tx/54071/
Editor’s note: All faculty are speaking for themselves and not on behalf of the University of Texas…
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Political attacks on universities are eroding academic freedom, and that threatens the global research collaborations behind major scientific breakthroughs.
There’s a positive correlation between protections for academic freedom and the quality and quantity of STEM research.
buff.ly/YGGZ4m4
🧪
There’s a positive correlation between protections for academic freedom and the quality and quantity of STEM research.
buff.ly/YGGZ4m4
🧪
Research breakthroughs often come through collaborations − attacks on academic freedom threaten this vital work
Academic freedom grew strongly after World War II, with greater university funding, protections and autonomy, yet global data now shows a decline.
buff.ly
November 19, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Political attacks on universities are eroding academic freedom, and that threatens the global research collaborations behind major scientific breakthroughs.
There’s a positive correlation between protections for academic freedom and the quality and quantity of STEM research.
buff.ly/YGGZ4m4
🧪
There’s a positive correlation between protections for academic freedom and the quality and quantity of STEM research.
buff.ly/YGGZ4m4
🧪
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
“Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 Map."
In a bombshell decision on Tuesday, a federal court in Texas blocked a new congressional map that was created after President Trump demanded that the state redraw district lines to hand Republicans five new seats.
In a bombshell decision on Tuesday, a federal court in Texas blocked a new congressional map that was created after President Trump demanded that the state redraw district lines to hand Republicans five new seats.
A Trump-appointed judge just blocked Trump’s Texas gerrymander
Trump could lose the redistricting war he started.
www.motherjones.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM
“Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 Map."
In a bombshell decision on Tuesday, a federal court in Texas blocked a new congressional map that was created after President Trump demanded that the state redraw district lines to hand Republicans five new seats.
In a bombshell decision on Tuesday, a federal court in Texas blocked a new congressional map that was created after President Trump demanded that the state redraw district lines to hand Republicans five new seats.
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
👏👏👏
November 19, 2025 at 2:17 PM
👏👏👏
👇👇👇
Few things bug me more than higher ed leaders saying that we lost our mission and lost the trust of the public, when we have actually been the target of a decades-long smear campaign by the right wing that worked. The moment we’re losing our mission is right now, in capitulation.
November 19, 2025 at 1:44 PM
👇👇👇
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
In his reelection announcement last week, Gov. Abbott proposed eliminating school property taxes without suggesting how to replace the billions of dollars in lost revenue, much of which is used to fund public education. Instead, Abbott celebrated his new $1 billion voucher program.
November 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
In his reelection announcement last week, Gov. Abbott proposed eliminating school property taxes without suggesting how to replace the billions of dollars in lost revenue, much of which is used to fund public education. Instead, Abbott celebrated his new $1 billion voucher program.