DALLAS — Texas Governor Greg Abbott is intensifying his effort to eliminate what he and fellow Republicans label as “woke ideologies” from higher education institutions.
This initiative has sparked a nationwide discussion about academic freedom and concerns that educators might be facing repercussions for their political beliefs.
Abbott expressed on social media, “Texas is challenging professors who prioritize the promotion of left-wing ideologies over preparing students to lead our country.”
His remarks came in the wake of University of Texas professor Art Markman’s removal from a leadership position, a decision officials linked to “ideological differences.”
Markman remains a tenured faculty member, but his demotion has fueled concerns about political interference in academic freedom.
Professor’s demotion fuels campus speech debate
At Texas State University, protests erupted last week after tenured history professor Tom Alter was fired for a second time despite a court overturning his initial termination.
Alter was initially dismissed after a video surfaced of him speaking at a “revolutionary socialism conference,” where he urged organizations to challenge the government.
Conservative outlets accused Alter of advocating government overthrow, a claim he denies. His case has left many educators uneasy.
“Many of the faculty members I’ve talked to are under the impression that everything they say should, in theory, be approved by the current administration before it comes out of their mouth which is ridiculous,” said Eric Crawford, an assistant professor at Texas State.
Texas professor’s dismissals prompt outcry
The controversy comes after a Texas A&M professor was fired following a lesson on gender identity that went viral, and an incident that also prompted the university president’s resignation.
These incidents coincide with a new Texas law that ended “shared governance” on public campuses, giving state-appointed regents more authority over curricula.
Supporters argue that it brings accountability; critics contend that it constitutes political interference.
Trump preferential funding treatment debate
The Trump administration is pushing similar “content standards” nationwide, linking some federal funding to compliance, with Texas serving as a potential test case for broader changes in higher education.
The administration urged nine universities, including the University of Texas at Austin, to sign a 10-point plan that would guarantee them certain funding advantages if the schools agreed to President Trump’s demands.
Several schools have rejected the funding compact.
University of Texas officials have not stated whether they will sign the agreement, but they “welcome the new opportunity presented to us and we look forward to working with the Trump Administration on it.”
Faculty groups warn the shift could chill campus speech, while supporters insist it’s about ending indoctrination and bringing transparency to taxpayer-funded education.
The Hill contributed to this report.
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