A University of Texas at Arlington staff member is “no longer employed by the university” after a hidden camera video circulated in which she discusses diversity, equity and inclusion within social work academic programs with an unknown individual.
The video, published by Accuracy in Media, depicts former social work academic recruiter Melissa Cruz answering questions asked by someone posing as a prospective student.
Accuracy in Media is a conservative activism organization that uses undercover actors with hidden cameras to expose “radical ideology,” according to its website.
In the video, the unknown person who is secretly filming asks Cruz if professors “still hit on topics that would be around DEI, they just don’t use those words that would get them in trouble?”
Cruz replies, “Right.”
“We still have to cover the content, obviously, because it’s a huge part of what we do,” Cruz said.
A statement from UTA provided to the Fort Worth Report said that the university is aware of the video and that UTA “has been, and will continue to be, fully compliant with all federal and state laws” and UT System policies.
“UTA takes these matters seriously and acted promptly to investigate,” the statement said. “The statements reflected in the video do not represent university policy or practice. As a result, the employee referenced in the video is no longer employed by the university.”
The Report contacted Cruz on Thursday for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into the University of North Texas after Accuracy in Media published a similar undercover video in which a UNT staff member says antiracist, diversity, equity and inclusion topics must be taught for the programs to receive accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education. The employee in that video is no longer employed by UNT.
One requirement in CSWE-accredited programs is for students to be taught to “engage anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.” To become a licensed social worker in Texas, students must graduate from a CSWE-accredited program. In the video from UTA, Cruz also said that UTA’s program must abide by CSWE requirements.
Texas Senate Bill 17, written by now-Texas Tech University System Chancellor Brandon Creighton, prohibits public colleges and universities in the state from having DEI offices or engaging in DEI initiatives. The law, which took effect in 2024, explicitly does not apply to teaching or research.
The attorney general’s news release announcing the investigation into UNT refers to “illegal teachings” but does not specify which law makes any such teachings illegal.
Actions by administrators at other Texas universities restricting what professors can teach in the classroom have seen pushback.
In December, Creighton sent a memo to Texas Tech System presidents outlining restrictions on teaching related to race and gender identity and instituted a review of such topics in courses. Last week, Creighton issued another memo further outlining the restrictions, including a specific prohibition on “the endorsement of a gender spectrum or fluid gender identities as empirical biological science.”
Texas A&M regents also restricted teaching about race and gender in December, passing a policy that said courses cannot “advocate race or gender ideology, or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity,” allowing limited exceptions for graduate classes or those that are not part of the core curriculum.
The UT System instituted a review of gender-related courses to “ensure compliance and alignment with applicable law and state and federal guidance” and regents’ priorities.
In February, UT regents approved a rule requiring professors to teach “controversial and contested issues” with “a broad and balanced approach.” The rule also said that the core curriculum cannot include “a requirement to study unnecessary controversial subjects.”
McKinnon Rice is the higher education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at mckinnon.rice@fortworthreport.org.
The Fort Worth Report partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.
The Report’s higher education coverage is supported in part by major higher education institutions in Tarrant County, including Tarleton State University, Tarrant County College, Texas A&M-Fort Worth, Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan University, the University of Texas at Arlington and UNT Health Science Center. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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