A major Texas university is eliminating its women’s and gender studies courses, raising fresh concerns for LGBTQ students and educators. Texas A&M University announced that it will begin winding down its Women’s and Gender Studies academic programs. The decision affects the bachelor’s degrees, graduate certificate, and minor offered under the program.
In a letter obtained by KBTX, Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Alan Sams said the move was made “as part of the broader implementation of the recently updated Systems policy.” Sams added that the university made the difficult decision to begin winding down the Women’s and Gender Studies (WGST) academic programs, including the BA, BS, Graduate Certificate, and the Minor, citing enrollment status over the past several years. Currently, 25 students are pursuing the major, and 31 are enrolled in the minor.
Students already in the program will be allowed to finish over the next six semesters, but no new students will be admitted. The move follows a policy passed last fall by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, which restricts how race, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity can be discussed in classrooms without special written approval.
