Texas A&M President Fires Instructor, Removes Administrators Amid Curriculum Dispute
Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III fired an instructor over unapproved gender identity curriculum and a student confrontation, subsequently removing the dean and English department head.
Overview
- Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III directed the firing of an instructor due to teaching content that did not align with the standard curriculum.
- The instructor's dismissal stemmed from a classroom confrontation involving gender identity coursework and a reported clash with a student over politics.
- President Welsh subsequently removed the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the head of the English Department from their administrative positions.
- The controversy involved the instructor teaching LGBT themes and lashing out at a student, which was deemed inconsistent with published course descriptions.
- Concerns were raised that the unapproved curriculum and the instructor's actions potentially violated executive orders and students' religious beliefs.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, presenting a balanced account of the Texas A&M professor's firing. They focus on reporting facts, including diverse perspectives from all involved parties, and providing necessary context without injecting editorial bias or loaded language, allowing readers to form their own conclusions.
"The actions by Texas A&M were criticized by faculty and writers’ groups."
Associated PressArticles (4)
FAQ
The instructor was fired because she taught gender identity content in a children's literature course that did not align with the course's published description and standard curriculum, and she was involved in a confrontation with a student over this content.
President Welsh directed the firing of the instructor and removed the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the English department head from their administrative positions because they approved plans to teach the unapproved curriculum.
The student objected to the teaching of gender identity topics citing her religious beliefs and an executive order by former President Donald Trump that recognizes only two sexes, male and female.
Republican lawmakers, including Gov. Greg Abbott and State Rep. Brian Harrison, pressured for the instructor’s firing and expressed concerns about political indoctrination in state universities, calling for investigations and administrative accountability.
No, the recent Texas law banning instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity applies only to K-12 public schools and does not extend to universities like Texas A&M.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.