UT Austin Eliminates African American, Latino And Gender Studies Majors After Trump Admin Pressure

The University of Texas at Austin has abruptly cut several courses centered on cultural and ethnic studies. The programs cut from the university include African and African diaspora studies, as well as Mexican American and Latina/o Studies. In addition, the school is cutting women’s and gender studies, along with the race, indigeneity and migration major, KUT News reported.

What are faculty members saying about the University of Texas at Austin cutting ethnic and gender studies?

The university’s decision drew pushback from several faculty members who said this move is yet more evidence of Republican leaders influencing an ideological shift in education.

“The Provost’s office rejected our proposal to keep our majors,” Danielle Pilar Clealand, the interim chair of the Social and Cultural Analysis Department, told faculty in an email obtained by KUT News.

David Sosa, who served as interim dean of the college earlier this year, hinted at the school’s plan during his tenure. Sosa said at that time that the university was considering changes to some majors, minors and courses offered at the school. The university also informed students that they can finish their current majors. Still, some faculty members are concerned that this may not be the case.

Karma Chávez, who served as chair of the Mexican American and Latina/o Studies department, said the school’s decision to cut ethnic studies sends a negative message about the significance of such programs.

“Students don’t know whether it’s even legal for them to take courses in things about gender or race or ethnicity because there’s so much hostility,” Chávez said, per The Texas Tribune. “Even when it’s not an official elimination of their choice, it’s ideological pressure.”

What did Donald Trump demand from universities in regard to ethnic and gender studies?

According to the Tribune, UT-Austin and several other universities faced pressure when the Trump administration demanded that they clearly establish definitions for gender and erase academic departments that don’t align with conservative values. Lauren Gutterman, a professor in the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis, told the Tribune that politicians are sending a message “about which students are welcome and wanted on this campus.”