October 9, 2024

President Welsh and Provost Sams,

The Texas A&M University chapter of the American Association of University Professors (TAMU-AAUP College Station) writes to express our concerns regarding the inactivation of minors and certificates currently being considered. We agree with the request of the Speaker of the Texas A&M Faculty Senate, Dr. Angie Hill Price, that the current inactivation process be invalidated and that all minors and certificates be allowed to continue their work of educating and enrolling new students.

The AAUP, as a national association committed to free speech and shared governance, is concerned about recent media reports, which suggest external influences on Texas A&M’s curriculum decisions. Objectively, these media reports raise questions about the integrity of the inactivation process.

In particular, the LGBTQ minor is a relatively new addition to the curriculum. We believe it should be given a reasonable and transparent timeline to recruit and graduate students, as with any other academic program. The AAUP supports the Women’s Studies faculty in their opposition to the minor’s deactivation and believes any deactivations must be implemented in a manner that involves faculty in all steps of the process. Specific to this minor, the unanimous vote by the Women’s Studies program against the inactivation of the minor underscores the desire of this faculty to have these studies continued.

The “inactivation process” as it currently stands appears to deviate from Texas A&M’s Standard Administrative Procedures (SAPs). It is crucial that faculty remain involved and engaged at every stage of academic decision-making, as codified in the University’s SAPs. The “inactivation process” as it currently stands appears to deviate from Texas A&M’s Standard Administrative Procedures (SAPs) (i.e., 11.99.99.M0.01 and 11.99.99.M0.02) and SOCSCOC’s expectations with respect to academic governance.

The Faculty Senate plays a vital role in this governance process, and we strongly urge the University to reaffirm its commitment to shared governance in all academic matters – particularly those that may not align with prevailing public opinion. As educators, we all share the responsibility for creating an open forum for study, where students are empowered to explore their chosen fields without undue interference. In a free and open society, education must remain a pillar of self-expression, intellectual curiosity, and creativity. Our future as a society depends on safeguarding academic freedom, ensuring that it is applied equally to all, without bias or constraint.

On behalf of the membership of TAMU-AAUP, 

Leadership Team

AAUP Texas A&M College Station Chapter