The University of Texas at Austin is stripping core-curriculum status from women’s, “gender,” sexuality and race-focused courses as state officials tighten oversight of taxpayer-supported instruction.
The courses can still be taught. UT’s 2026–27 operating budget lists nearly $7 million across three instructional accounts for Women’s, “Gender” and Sexuality Studies; Mexican American and Latina/o Studies; and African and African Diaspora Studies.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express on March 21, 2025, UT offered “gender studies,” LGBTQ programs and “Marx and Marxist Theory” coursework. DX sought answers from regents and their companies about UT’s “Equity” and Diversity in Special Education Doctoral Program.
State Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) accused UT of using taxpayer money to promote diversity, “equity” and inclusion (DEI).
“This program indoctrinates students in DEI, critical race theory, gender and sexuality, and social justice,” Harrison wrote about the doctoral program in the post cited by DX.
Core credit removed, courses remain
The current changes remove courses’ eligibility to satisfy general-education requirements. They do not abolish the courses.
“That means removing core-designated classes incrementally, though those classes will remain available as elective and major-specific courses,” Provost William Inboden wrote in a faculty message.
Examples denied core status include Women and the Holocaust; Slavery and Its Legacies; and Mexican American Women, 1910-Present, KUT reported Thursday, citing an email it obtained. All three appear in UT’s women’s and “gender studies” catalog.
Nearly $7 million budgeted
The accounts total $6,991,135: $3,895,509 for African and African Diaspora Studies, $1,810,542 for Mexican American and Latina/o Studies, and $1,285,084 for Women’s, “Gender” and Sexuality Studies.
They support 40.5 budgeted faculty full-time equivalents. The allocations include university funding beyond state appropriations; the records do not establish savings from the core changes.
Bachelor’s awards across three corresponding federal reporting fields fell from 33 in 2021–22 to 27 in 2022–23 and 23 in 2023–24, according to federal degree data. The three-year totals were 83 first-major bachelor’s degrees, 27 master’s degrees and 16 research doctorates.
Degree totals exclude students from other majors taking the courses. Without course-enrollment figures, they do not establish classroom demand or a reliable cost per graduate.
Regents prohibit indoctrination
Academic rigor in identity-focused disciplines also featured in DX’s May 16, 2025, interview with America First Policy Institute researcher Christopher Schorr.
“These subjects are not particularly rigorous or disciplined,” Schorr told The Dallas Express.
President Jim Davis announced the overhaul August 13. UT’s faculty review recommended replacing more than 600 core options with broadly focused courses. Written criteria emphasize substantial historical coverage, enduring national political questions and foundational social-science concepts.
Senate Bill 37 requires governing boards to review general education, with the initial review due January 1, 2027. It does not name courses for removal.
UT System regents approved standards February 19 prohibiting coercion or indoctrination and requiring fair treatment of disputed issues. Core offerings must provide options to graduate without studying “unnecessary controversial subjects.”
What changes for students
UT proposes reducing its 42-hour core to 36 hours: 15 in arts and humanities, nine in social sciences and 12 in STEM. Proposed subjects include Western civilization, American politics and artificial intelligence.
Pilot courses are planned for fall 2027. Inboden targets full implementation in fall 2028, while UT’s timeline lists 2029 or later, tied to state requirements. UT’s FAQ says the full transition date remains undetermined.
Separately, new admissions to the three corresponding majors have ended, KUT reported. Current students can finish, university spokesperson Mike Rosen told the station. Faculty member Lauren Gutterman told KUT that future course availability remained uncertain.
Provided by Dallas Express
