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BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The members of the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System took a decisive stand today to restore public trust in higher education by adjusting policies related to coursework.

The regents made the changes, which will apply to each of the A&M System’s 12 universities, to make sure that instruction aligns with its academic mission, values and legal obligations outlined by state and federal elected officials.

The first change, which applies to System Policy 08.01, clarifies that no academic course within the System may teach race or gender ideology or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity, unless the course and its materials are approved in advance by a university president.

The second change, which applies to System Policy 12.01, strengthens the language of the policy to ensure that members of the faculty adhere to the approved syllabus for each course. While they retain freedom to discuss relevant subject matters, faculty members are prohibited from introducing unrelated topics or teaching material inconsistent with the approved syllabus.

“The A&M System has a responsibility to be disciplined stewards of taxpayer resources and to ensure that courses serve students, communities and the state effectively,” Robert Albritton, chairman of the Board of Regents, said. “Additionally, we believe these updates also reflect our commitment to academic responsibility.”

Glenn Hegar, chancellor of the A&M System, said the regents offered clear and appropriate direction to the universities.

“Transparency and accountability are essential to our mission. We’re delivering on that commitment and reinforcing confidence in the quality of a Texas A&M education,” Hegar said. “This effort is really about ensuring we balance academic freedom with academic responsibility.”