Texas A&M Closes Women's and Gender Studies

"[As] part of the broader implementation of the recently updated System policy, we made the difficult decision to begin winding down Women's and Gender Studies academic programs, including the BA, BS, Graduate Certificate and the Minor,"

"This decision is based on the requirements of System policy and limited student interest in the program based on enrollment over the past several years."

"Women's and Gender Studies at Texas A&M has served generations of Aggies and advanced the core values of the institution throughout its history,"

"The AAUP remains steadfast in its opposition to Interim President Williams's draconian decision, which represents a threat to the entire university community by devaluing student degrees, undermining faculty governance, and diminishing its institutional reputation."

Texas A&M University is winding down its Women's and Gender Studies academic programs, including the BA, BS, Graduate Certificate, and the Minor, effective immediately. The university cites compliance with a recently updated System board policy limiting discussions of race or gender ideology and limited student enrollment over recent years. Faculty and free expression advocates characterize the closure as opaque and a threat to academic freedom, faculty governance, and institutional reputation. The American Association of University Professors chapter condemned the decision as draconian and harmful to degrees. Women's and gender studies courses have been offered since 1979 and remain central to multidisciplinary research and pedagogy, according to program faculty.

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