This page is for Texas Tech faculty and staff who are navigating the current censorship regime. It offers practical steps, documentation tips, and shareable language you can adapt for emails, meetings, and professional communications.
On December 1, 2025, the Texas Tech University System Chancellor issued a directive requiring faculty to use a course content review process and to report course content related to sexual orientation and gender identity for review overseen by the Board of Regents. If flagged content is present, faculty are directed to remove it while review is pending. The policy operates as prior restraint: lawful, discipline-relevant teaching is silenced in advance under threat of discipline.
Document what you are being asked to do. Save copies of all memos, emails, portal prompts/questions, and any instructions you receive from supervisors.
Track impacts on students and curriculum. Keep a short log of what you removed/changed (if anything), why, and how it affected learning outcomes.
Use collective channels when possible. Coordinated action through departments, governance bodies, and professional networks reduces individual exposure.
Ask for written clarification. When possible, request clarification in writing about scope, definitions, timelines, and standards being used to approve/deny content.
Create a folder and save:
Chancellor/President/Provost memos and all follow-up emails
Screenshots/PDFs of the portal questions and your responses (if any)
Instructions from chairs/deans/administrators (emails or meeting notes)
Syllabi/lesson plans before and after any changes
Notes on student impact (missed content, canceled activities, changes to discussion)
Dates/times of key events (e.g., Regents meeting date, deadlines imposed)
Incident log for any interactions relating to censorship: what happened, who was involved, what changed, and what the consequence was
Texas Tech faculty are currently subject to a course content review regime that requires submission of course materials related to gender identity and sexual identity through a process overseen by the Board of Regents, with flagged content to be removed pending approval. This functions as prior restraint: it censors lawful, discipline-relevant teaching in advance and chills research, instruction, and student inquiry across disciplines.
This is not about politics in the classroom. It is about academic freedom, disciplinary standards, and student learning at a public university. Universities are strongest when curriculum is guided by evidence and expertise rather than fear-driven self-censorship.
Department/college statements focused on academic freedom, shared governance, and student learning
Requests for clarification submitted collectively (department, committee, governance body)
Professional organization outreach (letters to professional organizations; requests for statements, guidance, or support)
Faculty governance routes (agenda items, resolutions, information requests)
Teach-ins/public forums (documented, professional, focused on academic freedom)
Ask colleagues to participate in a letter writing campaign condemning censorship at Tech