In a controversial move that has reignited debates over academic freedom and gender identity, the Texas Tech University System has directed faculty to recognize only two genders—male and female—in all academic instruction and official communications. The policy, issued in a letter from Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell on September 25, 2025, cites compliance with a recent executive order from President Donald J. Trump .
What the Policy Says
According to the internal memo circulated to all five universities within the Texas Tech System, faculty “must comply” with federal guidance that defines gender strictly as biological sex at birth. The directive explicitly restricts classroom discussion, curriculum content, and university communications from acknowledging nonbinary, genderfluid, or transgender identities as valid gender categories .
Timeline of the Gender Policy Shift
Trump issues executive order limiting federal gender recognition to male/female
Texas Tech administrators hold closed-door meetings on compliance
Chancellor issues binding gender policy memo
Nationwide backlash begins; lawsuit filed by 16 states
Broader Context: Gender Policies in U.S. Education
| State/Institution | Gender Policy Status (2025) | Applies to Higher Ed? |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech System | Only male/female recognized in instruction | ✅ Yes |
| Mississippi | Law bans “transgender ideology” in schools | ✅ (On hold by federal court) |
| California | State law requires gender-inclusive curricula | ✅ Yes |
| Federal (Trump EO) | Only two genders for federal programs | ⚠️ Compliance urged, not mandated for all colleges |
Faculty and Student Reactions
Faculty unions and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have condemned the policy as a direct threat to academic freedom and student safety.
“This isn’t about biology—it’s about erasing identities. Our classrooms must reflect the real world our students live in,” said Dr. Elena Ruiz, a sociology professor at Texas Tech.
Student organizations have announced plans for peaceful protests on campus, while mental health counselors report a spike in anxiety among transgender and nonbinary students .
Legal and Political Fallout
On September 26, 2025, a coalition of 16 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia filed a federal lawsuit in Oregon challenging the Trump administration’s gender policy—and by extension, institutional policies like Texas Tech’s that align with it .
The lawsuit argues that conditioning federal education grants on the removal of “gender ideology” violates the First Amendment and Title IX protections.
What’s Next for Texas Tech?
- Faculty compliance review: Department chairs to audit syllabi and materials by October 15.
- Student support expansion: Counseling services adding LGBTQ+ crisis hours.
- Potential legal challenges: ACLU considering suit on behalf of affected students and staff.
For more on campus free speech and inclusive education policies, see our guide on [INTERNAL_LINK:academic-freedom-and-gender-inclusion].
The controversy places Texas Tech at the center of a national culture war over identity, education, and federal overreach. As the U.S. Department of Education notes, “Educational institutions must balance compliance with civil rights obligations” .
Sources
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/us/politics/texas-tech-gender.html
- https://www.ed.gov/
- https://www.aclu.org/
- https://www.aaup.org/
