University of Texas limits on teaching of "unnecessary controversial subjects"

https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/19/texas-university-ut-regents-unnecessarily-controversial-subjects/

by bhouston • 5 months ago

74 15 5 months ago

texastribune.org

duxup• 5 months ago

The policy does not define what qualifies as “controversial” or what constitutes a “broad and balanced approach.”

I'm sure it will just be "things that powerful people tell us not to talk about".

pixl97• 5 months ago

"Talking about Ken Paxtons extra marital affairs is controversial, I'm sure.

evmaki• 5 months ago

Disappointing to see my alma mater gradually self-sabotage into irrelevance.

CamperBob2• 5 months ago

s/alma mater/country

Lendal• 5 months ago

The entire tech industry is rooted in the study of subjects which were extemporaneously considered unnecessary by the average person.

ChrisArchitect• 5 months ago

Related previously:

Texas A&M Ends Women's Studies and Overhauls Classes Over Race and Gender

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46827968

Texas A&M bans part of Plato's Symposium

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46529257

josefritzishere• 5 months ago

Self censorship under an authoritarian government is all too common https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-censorship

diogenes_atx• 5 months ago

UT Austin graduate here. Nowhere in this article does the word "censorship" appear. But that is the only way to describe this new policy. In recent years, UT Austin has suppressed peaceful protests and demonstrations on campus concerning the war in Gaza. Now the university is censoring "unnecessary controversial subjects," and although the new rule does not define what qualifies as “controversial,” it should be obvious to everyone what is prohibited.

Ironically, the state of Texas in 2019 enacted a law aimed at protecting free speech on public university campuses, a measure that was ostensibly intended to reinforce the First Amendment rights of students and faculty. The law designated common outdoor areas as traditional public forums and required policies for disciplining those who interfere with free speech. Back then, conservative legislators were trying to ensure that so-called "woke" or "politically correct" instructors and administrators did not suppress the articulation of conservative opinions.

It is time to change the school motto for UT Austin from "Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis" to something more appropriate for the institution: "All Students and Faculty Are Equal, but Some Students and Faculty Are More Equal Than Others."

jmclnx• 5 months ago

departments into a new Social and Cultural Analysis department.

Sound like a Bible Study Department to me. But you can head to Mass, NY and Calif. Schools. There may very well have plenty of openings due to Trumps banning of international students. Plus you will be able to study real Social and Historical Subjects if you so desire.

burnt-resistor2• 5 months ago

Maybe that sentiment explains why a giant Scientology "office" opened up right next to UT's campus... the promotion of ignorance, censorship, and an unwillingness to confront uncomfortable things like reality.

46493168• 5 months ago

It's been there for years, they only just recently remodeled.

burnt-resistor2• 5 months ago

Ah was it? I didn't notice it before I guess with all of the demolition and corporate/private equity skyscrapers sprouting around and behind it.

They had a one story "store" in Mountain View CA on Castro St (downtown shopping/eatery area) for a long time, but I guess they wised-up and moved[0] into a Better Call Saul-style strip mall more obscure and cheaper because it's more of an "LA celebrity" thing.

0. https://maps.app.goo.gl/szLiu9DiqbLbNGDY8

rsrsrs86• 5 months ago

Nazi states of America

lostmsu• 5 months ago

I guess they are gonna have to cancel all psychology programs.

johnea• 5 months ago

Does this mean all bible study and other religious courses are cancelled?

University of Texas limits on teaching of "unnecessary controversial subjects"

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