LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Some students and faculty held a mock funeral outside the Texas Tech University System building on Thursday, after they say academic freedom was “murdered.”
Some students and faculty held a mock funeral outside the Texas Tech University System building on Thursday, after they say academic freedom was “murdered.”(KCBD Photo)
The protest was ahead of the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents meeting. The board, alongside Chancellor Brandon Creighton, approved course restrictions earlier this year.
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Those restrictions affect what the System called “prohibited advocacy concepts,” specifically discussions surrounding gender identity and sexual orientation.
Some students and faculty held a mock funeral outside the Texas Tech University System building on Thursday, after they say academic freedom was “murdered.”(KCBD Photo)
“These are not issues that are fringe or frivolous as the Chancellor wants us to think. These are issues relevant to many different fields of study from biology, psychology, social work. It’s important we learn how to work with diverse people in order to be career ready,” said Tara Findley, a Texas Tech student and organizer of the protest.
Some students and faculty held a mock funeral outside the Texas Tech University System building on Thursday, after they say academic freedom was “murdered.”(KCBD Photo)
Career readiness is something Creighton says he is focused on, calling it a duty to ensure course work is aligned with long-term student success.
“Working with CEOs and working with the expectations of the private sector, working to closely align the expectations of those that will be hiring students direct from this campus very soon after they graduate, I think we are very much in line with those expectations there,” Creighton said.
Some students and faculty held a mock funeral outside the Texas Tech University System building on Thursday, after they say academic freedom was “murdered.”(KCBD Photo)
Some students disagree, worrying employers will not view their Texas Tech degree as a well-rounded education.
“The validity of our degrees is going to be very much diminished when it comes to job opportunities and stuff like that. An employer is going to look at a Texas Tech degree and be like ‘oh these people were taught with these regulations and these censorships and stuff, I’m just going to go with someone who’s well-rounded and able to speak and be open minded about these things,’” said Maddox Guillen, a Texas Tech student and co-founder of Raiders Against Censorship.
Students and staff at the protest said they feel their voices aren’t being heard by the University System. Chancellor Creighton, though, says they are.
“We’re not looking for 100 percent ratification and validation, what’s important to us is people feel heard. That’s what makes the world go ‘round, that’s the best part of what Texas Tech has to offer and we’re fully supportive of their right to speak,” Creighton said.
Creighton said diversity is alive and well across the system, adding that even if courses cannot discuss certain topics, students will still be exposed to varying views through their interactions outside of the classroom.
“We have one of the most diverse campuses in America. We can walk across our campuses and see that immediately,” Creighton said. “So, that diversity, along with diversity of viewpoint, it’s alive and well and thriving across the Texas Tech University System and here on the Texas Tech campus in Lubbock.”
The Chancellor’s Office noted that less than three percent of courses required revision.
The university released this statement to KCBD on Thursday:
“The Texas Tech University System currently offers one of the most deliberative and thorough curriculum review processes of any university system in America. Prior to this review, the Texas Tech University System curriculum already held the distinction of being some of the finest available in higher education. Following the review process, less than three percent of available courses required revision. Chancellor Creighton and the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents have an obligation to students, taxpayers, and all Texans to uphold academic integrity by ensuring coursework is rigorous, relevant, and aligned with long-term student success and degrees of value. The Texas Tech University System will continue supporting free expression, diversity of thought, and respectful dialogue while staying focused on academic excellence and real outcomes for students.”
Students already enrolled in degrees that are now restricted can finish out their current path.
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