From Texas A&M to ACC, here’s how college free speech policies changed

Introduction

In response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order calling for increased measures against antisemitism, colleges in Texas have been updating their free speech policies. This order came in the wake of escalating antisemitism incidents on college campuses, triggering immediate action to counter such distressing trends.

Austin Community College

Austin Community College board members adjusted the college’s free speech policies during their board meeting last month. While adhering to Abbott’s directive, they expanded the framework to include express prohibitions against Islamophobic, racist, or homophobic speech. They were notably the only institution that augmented their rules beyond the executive order’s stipulations.

Alongside these changes, they also implemented a new Freedom from Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation policy, providing additional safeguarding to employees, students, and community members from discriminatory abuses of free speech.

Texas State University

Texas State University streamlined its pre-existing policies into a single, cohesive policy. This university-based in San Marcos, Texas, expressed that the amalgamation of their rules had started even prior to the Governor’s Executive Order. Their commitment to free speech remains unaltered, with an emphasis on all community members and affiliates sharing the responsibility of maintaining an atmosphere conducive to scholarly pursuits.

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M, based in College Station, Texas, revised its policies on June 25, introducing definitions for “Illegal Harassment,” “Inciting or producing imminent lawless action,” and “True threats”, adapting court opinions. A subsection clarifying that the school “may not take action against a student organization” based on its content was added to the main body of the policies document, furthering the protection of free speech within the institution.

University of Houston

The University of Houston also edited its free speech policies on May 30, specifically adapting the Governor’s definition of antisemitism. The University highlights its perpetual commitment to supporting constitutional rights of free speech and peaceful assembly.

UT-San Antonio

UT-San Antonio updated its policies on June 6, with the inclusion of the Governor’s definition of antisemitism. The updated policies state, “UTSA prohibits unlawful discrimination regardless of where it occurs if it impacts the educational or employment environment for any member of the university community.”

Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University had minimal adjustments to their policies, including the Governor’s definition of antisemitism. The University has stated that no changes outside those required by the Governor’s Executive Order were made.

Conclusion

The commitment to combat discrimination and uphold free speech is clear across Texas colleges. The amendments to the college policies reflect the state’s larger goal of ensuring campuses remain ripe for various views, discourse, and alternative perspectives, provided they do not incite hatred or discriminatory behavior.