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The University of Texas Board of Regents will discuss new standards for how instructors should handle \u201ccontroversial\u201d topics in class. (Yfat Yossifor | KERA)<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe University of Texas Board of Regents will discuss new standards for how instructors should handle \u201ccontroversial\u201d topics in class. (Yfat Yossifor | KERA)<\/p>\n
University of Texas regents on Thursday will consider how \u201ccontroversial\u201d topics are taught within the UT system.<\/p>\n
New guidance being discussed during the board\u2019s two-day Austin meeting doesn\u2019t define controversy, but states instructors must \u201cexclude unrelated controversial or contested matters\u201d from course material.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen a course includes controversial and contested issues, instructors shall ensure a broad and balanced approach to the discussion and teaching of these issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
The chancellor and executive vice chancellor recommend the changes.<\/p>\n
RELATED: UH professor refuses to sign indoctrination memo, calling it a \u2018red line\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n The standards stem in part from a new law, Senate Bill 37, that gives more control to a school\u2019s appointed governing board, and less to the faculty. It comes as the state asserts more influence on college classrooms<\/a>.<\/p>\n Supporters of the law say it eliminates some unnecessary classes students must take.<\/p>\n UT-El Paso political science student Paula Martinez told the House Higher Education Committee last May that some of her \u201crequired courses\u201d pushed liberal views all unrelated to her major.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe college should be about critical thinking, not ideological conformity. Yet, in my experience, I\u2019ve never been assigned a conservative, moderate, or even classical liberal perspective,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s not education, it\u2019s indoctrination.\u201d<\/p>\n But opponents of the new guidance worry it will lead to censorship.<\/p>\n RELATED: Professors, students push back as Texas A&M regents increase curriculum oversight<\/a><\/p>\n Ravi Prakash teaches computer science at the University of Texas at Dallas. He\u2019s also a former faculty senate member.<\/p>\n He said he believes limiting controversial topics will diminish a students\u2019 education.<\/p>\n \u201cIf students don\u2019t know how to engage in such complex topics in college,\u201d he said, \u201cwhere will they learn?\u201d<\/p>\n Bill Zeeble is KERA\u2019s education reporter. Got a tip? Email Bill at bzeeble@kera.org<\/a>. You can follow him on X @bzeeble<\/a>.<\/p>\n KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today<\/a>. Thank you.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t