LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The American Association of University Professors and its Texas affiliate, Texas AAUP-AFT, filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Texas Tech University System Chancellor Brandon Creighton and members of the board of regents over two system memoranda restricting course content on race and gender identity.
The lawsuit challenges two memoranda Chancellor Creighton issued in the past eight months, one in December 2025 and a second in April 2026.
Under the memoranda, a mandatory review process was set up in which professors must disclose whether their course materials touch on prohibited subject matter regarding race, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. If a course is flagged, the instructor must stop teaching that material until the board of regents rules on it.
The lawsuit brings three claims. First, it argues the restrictions outlined in the memos violate the First Amendment by barring professors from teaching certain ideas about race or gender. Second, it claims the guidelines violate the 14th Amendment with vague policies that faculty can’t reasonably tell what’s allowed and what’s not. Lastly, it alleges the memoranda were created and implemented to target Black faculty.
Creighton previously served on the Texas Senate before he was appointed as chancellor. He authored Senate Bill 37, requiring state curriculum to serve as the foundation for a student’s future, particularly in the workforce. It states classes may “not endorse specific public policies, ideologies, or legislation.”
These course content changes have been criticized by students and faculty over academic freedom concerns.
Creighton defended these guidelines, saying the course content review process is a requirement to ensure students are ready to step into the workforce with curriculum that is relevant.
Read Creighton’s full statement below:
“The Texas Tech University System is confident its policies are lawful, constitutionally sound, and fully compliant with state and federal law. Our commitment to academic integrity and the First Amendment rights of our students and faculty will not be distracted by lawsuits as we continue our mission to deliver rigorous academic programs, relevant coursework, and groundbreaking research.”
The lawsuit is asking a federal judge in El Paso to declare the memoranda unconstitutional and to block the university system from enforcing them.
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