AAUP chapter @UT Austin
@utaustinaaup.bsky.social
We fight for academic freedom at UT Austin, UT System, and Texas higher education. Member @aaup.bsky.social, @TexasAAUP.bsky.social. Affiliated with @TexasAFT.org, @texasaflcio.bsky.social. We do not speak for our employer. Follows❤️sRTs🚫endorsement.✊🏽🗣️
thebatt.com/opinion/sati...
“We students deserve a competent attack dog who will protect our right to be ignorant of societal issues and learn safely from academic terrorists.” 🤣🤣🤣
“We students deserve a competent attack dog who will protect our right to be ignorant of societal issues and learn safely from academic terrorists.” 🤣🤣🤣
Satire: Reveille executes professor – The Battalion
In a shocking turn of events, beloved mascot and First Lady of Aggieland Reveille X executed a cattle communication professor during a lecture where diversity i
thebatt.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:57 PM
thebatt.com/opinion/sati...
“We students deserve a competent attack dog who will protect our right to be ignorant of societal issues and learn safely from academic terrorists.” 🤣🤣🤣
“We students deserve a competent attack dog who will protect our right to be ignorant of societal issues and learn safely from academic terrorists.” 🤣🤣🤣
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
“There is much that is right about what we are doing in higher education—as teachers, researchers, community advocates, and mentors—and we should not lose sight of that when the discourse of the day would seem to put us permanently on the defensive.” ❤️
December 5, 2025 at 8:30 PM
“There is much that is right about what we are doing in higher education—as teachers, researchers, community advocates, and mentors—and we should not lose sight of that when the discourse of the day would seem to put us permanently on the defensive.” ❤️
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
NEW: The Trump administration sent Head Start employees a six-page list of "prohibited words" for grant applications, including terms like: disabilities, tribal, Black, and women.
The administration wants to erase communities and block access to early childhood services. We'll see them in court.
The administration wants to erase communities and block access to early childhood services. We'll see them in court.
December 5, 2025 at 8:23 PM
NEW: The Trump administration sent Head Start employees a six-page list of "prohibited words" for grant applications, including terms like: disabilities, tribal, Black, and women.
The administration wants to erase communities and block access to early childhood services. We'll see them in court.
The administration wants to erase communities and block access to early childhood services. We'll see them in court.
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
“There’s no doubt in my mind that’s the intent…the worst thing is that politically mandated ideas will be taught instead of scientifically accepted concepts in our disciplines, or concepts that are recognized by the disciplinary experts.”
– Andrew Martin, Texas Tech AAUP
@texasaaup.bsky.social
– Andrew Martin, Texas Tech AAUP
@texasaaup.bsky.social
At Texas Tech, Professors Now Need Permission to Teach About Race and Gender
Faculty say the policy is vague and a violation of the First Amendment.
www.chronicle.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:42 PM
“There’s no doubt in my mind that’s the intent…the worst thing is that politically mandated ideas will be taught instead of scientifically accepted concepts in our disciplines, or concepts that are recognized by the disciplinary experts.”
– Andrew Martin, Texas Tech AAUP
@texasaaup.bsky.social
– Andrew Martin, Texas Tech AAUP
@texasaaup.bsky.social
Academic freedom is applicable to anyone with a teaching role. You can’t ask graduate students to teach, advise students, and evaluate student work with granting them academic freedom. The recent debacle at OU and a previous one in the School of Social Work at UT Austin illustrate this.
Pitt’s graduate student union sees bargaining for academic freedom as a “no-brainer.” The university sees it differently: “Graduate students are not faculty members and therefore academic freedom is not applicable.”
Why academic freedom is a heated topic in Pitt grad union negotiations
As the University of Pittsburgh embarks on union negotiations with graduate students, bargaining over the concept of academic freedom has been contentious.
buff.ly
December 6, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Academic freedom is applicable to anyone with a teaching role. You can’t ask graduate students to teach, advise students, and evaluate student work with granting them academic freedom. The recent debacle at OU and a previous one in the School of Social Work at UT Austin illustrate this.
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
In response to this and other attacks on academic freedom, the American Association of University Professors released a report on federal and state attacks on faculty governance—and filed to form a PAC to increase its political influence.
www.theeduledger.com/faculty-staf...
www.theeduledger.com/faculty-staf...
AAUP Report Warns of Growing Legislative Threats to Faculty Governance Nationwide
New analysis highlights attacks on faculty senates in Texas, Indiana, Ohio, and Utah as undermining academic freedom and institutional integrity.
www.theeduledger.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:27 PM
In response to this and other attacks on academic freedom, the American Association of University Professors released a report on federal and state attacks on faculty governance—and filed to form a PAC to increase its political influence.
www.theeduledger.com/faculty-staf...
www.theeduledger.com/faculty-staf...
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
The settlement includes a $75 million fine (the second-highest to date) as well as restrictions on the rights to protest and to administer transgender healthcare at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/u...
Northwestern Agrees to a Deal With Trump Administration
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The settlement includes a $75 million fine (the second-highest to date) as well as restrictions on the rights to protest and to administer transgender healthcare at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/u...
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
Following #Alabama’s 2024 legislation banning publicly funded diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and so-called “divisive concepts,” campuses across the state are facing significant challenges to maintaining spaces that support marginalized communities.
Campus outrage mounts after the University of Alabama suspends student magazines | Alabama Reflector
Student organizations have put out statements of support and have planned demonstrations following Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice Magazines were suspended.
alabamareflector.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Following #Alabama’s 2024 legislation banning publicly funded diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and so-called “divisive concepts,” campuses across the state are facing significant challenges to maintaining spaces that support marginalized communities.
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
This was a trans affirming protest, defending not only academic freedom but also the entire project of the university. I was so moved.
Around 250 people protested on OU's campus Friday in support of the graduate instructor who was suspended after giving Samantha Fulnecky a failing grade on her Bible-based essay.
Protestors show support for graduate instructor on leave after student claims discrimination for Bible-based essay
Chants in support of the graduate instructor who was placed on leave after psychology junior Samantha Fulneckly claimed discrimination over a failing grade rang through campus Friday afternoon.
www.oudaily.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:51 PM
This was a trans affirming protest, defending not only academic freedom but also the entire project of the university. I was so moved.
www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Excellent article on the anti-woke ideology destroying educational quality and academic freedom in Texas public universities—with the help of AI used by spineless administrators
Excellent article on the anti-woke ideology destroying educational quality and academic freedom in Texas public universities—with the help of AI used by spineless administrators
To Root Out Wokeness in the Course Catalog, This Texas University Is Turning to AI
“The AI was upset with my use of the phrase ‘women's rights movement.’”
www.texasmonthly.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:38 PM
www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Excellent article on the anti-woke ideology destroying educational quality and academic freedom in Texas public universities—with the help of AI used by spineless administrators
Excellent article on the anti-woke ideology destroying educational quality and academic freedom in Texas public universities—with the help of AI used by spineless administrators
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
Curtailment of faculty authority in governing higher education institutions today will not only undermine professional freedoms--it will spoil the fruits of those freedoms: an independent, intellectually rigorous, and incorruptible education for future generations
-- Afshan Jafar (Conn AAUP)
-- Afshan Jafar (Conn AAUP)
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 30, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Curtailment of faculty authority in governing higher education institutions today will not only undermine professional freedoms--it will spoil the fruits of those freedoms: an independent, intellectually rigorous, and incorruptible education for future generations
-- Afshan Jafar (Conn AAUP)
-- Afshan Jafar (Conn AAUP)
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
a truly horrible memo was just sent to all faculty at Texas Tech system schools requiring courses sensor material on race and gender, and sexuality. Requires teaching that there are only 2 genders!!! @aaup.org @texasaaup.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 5:36 PM
a truly horrible memo was just sent to all faculty at Texas Tech system schools requiring courses sensor material on race and gender, and sexuality. Requires teaching that there are only 2 genders!!! @aaup.org @texasaaup.bsky.social
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
Alice Magazine is a fashion and wellness magazine that primarily covers women. Nineteen Fifty-Six covers Black student life and culture.
“Hood said that the University made the decision and had not been spurred by a complaint about the magazines.“
thecrimsonwhite.com/125358/news/...
“Hood said that the University made the decision and had not been spurred by a complaint about the magazines.“
thecrimsonwhite.com/125358/news/...
University suspends Alice, Nineteen Fifty-Six student magazines
The University of Alabama Department of Student Life suspended Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice Magazine, two University-funded student magazines, on Monday, citing a federal memo issued by U.S. Attorney ...
thecrimsonwhite.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Alice Magazine is a fashion and wellness magazine that primarily covers women. Nineteen Fifty-Six covers Black student life and culture.
“Hood said that the University made the decision and had not been spurred by a complaint about the magazines.“
thecrimsonwhite.com/125358/news/...
“Hood said that the University made the decision and had not been spurred by a complaint about the magazines.“
thecrimsonwhite.com/125358/news/...
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
From Daniel Braaten, Pres. AAUP Chapter at TX A&M San Antonio:
“What we have now in TX are political leaders who exert pressure on university administrators to limit what faculty can teach…and it will only degrade the quality of higher education that Texas students deserve.”
“What we have now in TX are political leaders who exert pressure on university administrators to limit what faculty can teach…and it will only degrade the quality of higher education that Texas students deserve.”
Education is diminished at Texas universities as academic freedom is eroded
Academic freedom is essential for universities to continue producing cutting-edge research.
www.expressnews.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:39 PM
From Daniel Braaten, Pres. AAUP Chapter at TX A&M San Antonio:
“What we have now in TX are political leaders who exert pressure on university administrators to limit what faculty can teach…and it will only degrade the quality of higher education that Texas students deserve.”
“What we have now in TX are political leaders who exert pressure on university administrators to limit what faculty can teach…and it will only degrade the quality of higher education that Texas students deserve.”
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
⭐️⭐️ “Policies like Texas A&M’s restrictions on teaching race or gender do more than limit content; they reinstall an older moral architecture, asking universities to prepare students for a world that is disappearing rather than the one emerging.” ⬇️
When universities choose to be silent, societies fracture
Texas A&M University’s restrictions on teaching race or gender reinstall an older moral architecture, asking universities to prepare students fo...
www.universityworldnews.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:10 PM
⭐️⭐️ “Policies like Texas A&M’s restrictions on teaching race or gender do more than limit content; they reinstall an older moral architecture, asking universities to prepare students for a world that is disappearing rather than the one emerging.” ⬇️
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
Andrew Martin, president of the Texas Tech chapter of the AAUP, called the memo a “profound disappointment” and said it swaps out faculty judgment for political judgment. “I’m not going to deny part of the identity of some of my students when they walk into the classroom.”
@texasaaup.bsky.social
@texasaaup.bsky.social
Texas Tech Puts Race and Gender Lessons on the Hot Seat
Texas Tech orders sign-off for race and gender course material; unapproved content could be removed.
hoodline.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Andrew Martin, president of the Texas Tech chapter of the AAUP, called the memo a “profound disappointment” and said it swaps out faculty judgment for political judgment. “I’m not going to deny part of the identity of some of my students when they walk into the classroom.”
@texasaaup.bsky.social
@texasaaup.bsky.social
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
“Northwestern has abdicated its duty to uphold principles crucial for higher education.”
— Jacqueline Stevens, Northwestern AAUP President
@nu-aaup.bsky.social
— Jacqueline Stevens, Northwestern AAUP President
@nu-aaup.bsky.social
Northwestern to pay $75 million to end Trump administration probes
Northwestern’s interim president said the university chose to negotiate an agreement because the “cost of a legal fight was too high and the risks too grave.”
www.washingtonpost.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:32 PM
“Northwestern has abdicated its duty to uphold principles crucial for higher education.”
— Jacqueline Stevens, Northwestern AAUP President
@nu-aaup.bsky.social
— Jacqueline Stevens, Northwestern AAUP President
@nu-aaup.bsky.social
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
“An instructor's freedom to teach includes the right to assess student academic performance. We are gravely concerned that a climate of escalating authoritarian assaults on academic freedom is normalizing politicized interference in classroom teaching & learning.” — Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
Oklahoma college student’s failing grade on gender essay dropped amid outcry
A University of Oklahoma student alleged religious discrimination after receiving a zero on an essay that rejected the concept of multiple genders.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:05 AM
“An instructor's freedom to teach includes the right to assess student academic performance. We are gravely concerned that a climate of escalating authoritarian assaults on academic freedom is normalizing politicized interference in classroom teaching & learning.” — Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
Academic freedom is essential for universities to continue producing cutting-edge research. | Opinion
Education is diminished at Texas universities as academic freedom is eroded
Academic freedom is essential for universities to continue producing cutting-edge research.
bit.ly
December 1, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Academic freedom is essential for universities to continue producing cutting-edge research. | Opinion
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
BTW, any story about a possible Northwestern capitulation should include this detail (screenshot is from the oped linked below)
November 27, 2025 at 2:31 AM
BTW, any story about a possible Northwestern capitulation should include this detail (screenshot is from the oped linked below)
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
We must keep calling out those that cave to the Trump Admin, and the latest is Northwestern.
As part of their "deal," NU will pay $75 million, stop vital research, renege on agreements with its students over the war in Gaza, and more.
Throwing your students under the bus to please Trump. Shameful.
As part of their "deal," NU will pay $75 million, stop vital research, renege on agreements with its students over the war in Gaza, and more.
Throwing your students under the bus to please Trump. Shameful.
Northwestern Agrees to a Deal With Trump Administration
www.nytimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:26 PM
We must keep calling out those that cave to the Trump Admin, and the latest is Northwestern.
As part of their "deal," NU will pay $75 million, stop vital research, renege on agreements with its students over the war in Gaza, and more.
Throwing your students under the bus to please Trump. Shameful.
As part of their "deal," NU will pay $75 million, stop vital research, renege on agreements with its students over the war in Gaza, and more.
Throwing your students under the bus to please Trump. Shameful.
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
“We encourage concerned alumni to withhold from NU money to pay off Trump’s extortion and to donate to the AAUP Foundation, which is successfully supporting litigation in defense of academic freedom” academeblog.org/2025/12/01/s...
Statement from NU AAUP on the University’s “Resolution Agreement”
BY JACKIE STEVENS Northwestern University’s Interim President Henry Bienen announced on Friday the university had violated commitments to its faculty and students in order to appease an autoc…
academeblog.org
December 1, 2025 at 11:11 PM
“We encourage concerned alumni to withhold from NU money to pay off Trump’s extortion and to donate to the AAUP Foundation, which is successfully supporting litigation in defense of academic freedom” academeblog.org/2025/12/01/s...
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
This is chilling. Academic freedom is under attack. What TX Tech is doing is antithetical to that freedom, it's un-American, and honestly, kinda Soviet. Is this who we want to be?
TX Tech has a flow chat for guidance on what can be taught in the university system. Two things:
1. Very little content seems to be permitted. This is partisan control of the curriculum.
2. I would not enjoy teaching under these conditions, but I really would not want to be a Chair or Dean.
1. Very little content seems to be permitted. This is partisan control of the curriculum.
2. I would not enjoy teaching under these conditions, but I really would not want to be a Chair or Dean.
December 2, 2025 at 12:09 AM
This is chilling. Academic freedom is under attack. What TX Tech is doing is antithetical to that freedom, it's un-American, and honestly, kinda Soviet. Is this who we want to be?
Reposted by AAUP chapter @UT Austin
Despicable. These are college students, not children. Violating free speech and academic freedom.
December 2, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Despicable. These are college students, not children. Violating free speech and academic freedom.
Hey, Texas Tribune, we appreciate you, but please, this summary should read:
“In an unprecedented attack on faculty’s academic freedom and students’ freedom to learn, TTU System Chancellor…”
“In an unprecedented attack on faculty’s academic freedom and students’ freedom to learn, TTU System Chancellor…”
Texas Tech University System Chancellor Brandon Creighton on Monday imposed restrictions on how faculty discuss race, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation in classrooms and introduced a new course content approval process.
Texas Tech System restricts race and gender teaching
Tech, now the second Texas public university system to add similar teaching restrictions, had earlier directed faculty to follow state and federal guidance recognizing only two sexes.
www.texastribune.org
December 2, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Hey, Texas Tribune, we appreciate you, but please, this summary should read:
“In an unprecedented attack on faculty’s academic freedom and students’ freedom to learn, TTU System Chancellor…”
“In an unprecedented attack on faculty’s academic freedom and students’ freedom to learn, TTU System Chancellor…”