Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy, along with fellow Republican Rep. Brian Harrison, have called on Texas A&M University to eliminate its LGBTQ+ studies minor, the Daily Caller reported Thursday. Ta.
State lawmakers are starting to push back against Lone Star State School after learning it receives public funding. minor In Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies, students “investigate how gender and sexuality are socially constructed.” The school's website says that this study will explore issues such as “the relationship between homophobia and transphobia and forms of power (such as colonialism, sexism, ableism, classism, etc.)” while also “developing critical thinking skills”. It is described as a way to “improve writing, writing, and analytical skills.” (Related: Texas school district lobbying against school choice despite overwhelming support from parents)
“You will critically analyze how sexuality and sexual orientation shape gender roles, identity and social status in society,” the school's website says. “Through these courses, you will develop a complex and nuanced understanding of LGBTQ+ lived experiences, history, and social movements.”
Roy and Harrison lambasted the new program. Roy told the Daily Caller that Texas A&M and higher education institutions in general need to “take responsibility” for promoting “radical woke politics.”
“The time has come for higher education institutions, including Texas A&M, to take responsibility for advancing radical woke policies in both the Texas State House and Congress. Enough is enough,” Roy told The Daily Caller.
This must be completely fixed in the next Congress. https://t.co/dNflRi1Pfd
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) February 15, 2024
Harrison, an alumnus of the university, specifically found out that LGBTQ+ minors were available in late January and asked the school why he believes his constituents “should be forced to.” I demand answers,'' he posted on X (formerly Twitter). Provides grants for undergraduate minors.
Does Texas A&M offer a minor in this??
what. . hell.
seek answers from @Tam As to why they think my constituents should be forced to subsidize this. #txlege #txed pic.twitter.com/RNeXIjzXfz
— Brian Harrison (@brianeharrison) January 22, 2024
“Texas A&M is considered one of the most conservative major public higher education institutions in the nation,” Harrison told the Daily Caller. “If Texas A&M is doing something this outrageous, I think it speaks volumes about the state of Texas.” [publicly] It funded higher education in this country. ”
“I had a lengthy discussion with Texas A&M President Alan Sams,” Harrison continued. “As an Aggie, as a Texas legislator, as a taxpayer, and as someone who has a fiduciary duty to ensure that our tax dollars are spent only on a) things that have value for the state of Texas, and b) things that are of value to the state of Texas. , I told him that it is legally licensed and appropriated. I asked them to either discontinue this miner or provide a written justification for continuing this miner. Reactions The most charitable way to characterize it is as “unresponsive.”
“Disappointment is too diplomatic. I'm furious. I'm outraged by this,” Harrison added. “The purpose of taxpayer-funded higher education in Texas is to train tomorrow's workforce and strengthen Texas' economy. If you want to learn about transgender people, fine, but study with your own money.” do it.”
“The governor confirmed to me that the authority to do something like this needs to come from the upper echelons of government.” [Texas A&M]. Regents are the people who have ultimate responsibility for everything that happens at the university. We hope the regents will investigate this matter and take immediate corrective action,” Harrison said.
Harrison also condemned the “miserable failure” of the Texas House of Representatives and said he would work on a written solution to the problem.
“This is further evidence of the Texas House's abject failure to govern Texas' rogue and woke education bureaucracy. I intend to work on a legal solution, but we're not in session for another year. This is today. It has to stop,” Harrison said. “I wish I could tell you how many people come to my office, call or email me in tears because they can’t afford to pay their property taxes. There are voters. The last thing they should be spending money on is indoctrinating the next generation of liberal woke people. They are using state resources – Texas A&M's website is a state resource. They are Use national resources and assert [that “transphobia” has a “relationship to racism, colonialism, sexism, ableism, classism,”] As a fact. ”
Welsh, who previously served as dean of the university's Bush School of Government and Public Service, also served as a four-star general in the U.S. Air Force and was later appointed by President Obama to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. . report. However, Mr. Wales gave a speech on diversity at the school during his time as dean, encouraging his students to “interview anyone with an open mind and, in my opinion, value diversity.” I advised.
“It's a risk and you have to accept a personal risk, but I encourage you to accept it,” Welsh said. “I have never regretted it for a second.”
Harrison told the Daily Caller that Texas A&M justified the addition by claiming that the curriculum changes were “faculty-driven and follow standard administrative processes.” According to Professor Harrison, the university asserted that “no faculty requested the change and that there is currently no state process for minor degree programs similar to those for majors.”
“In line with academic freedom, curriculum changes are led by faculty and follow standard administrative processes. To date, no faculty member has requested such changes regarding this minor. Texas A&M “In accordance with the university's standard administrative procedures, termination of a degree, minor, or certificate program must go through a full review process,” Harrison said in a statement.
“While the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Commission has a process for reviewing majors for lower degree production and their potential for consolidation and closure, there is currently no state process to similarly review minors. Texas A&M Beyond state requirements, the university has developed a process to involve 156 of the university's minors in a similar review. These minors will be part of that review process.”