Before students at the University of Texas (UT) graduate, they must complete global cultures and cultural diversity courses. This requirement, introduced in 2006, is part of a broader initiative to equip students with the necessary skills and experiences to navigate the real world and succeed in their careers. However, this long-standing policy is now under review.
Former UT President Jay Hartzell stated that the university is reassessing its graduation requirements to ensure they align with student and workforce needs. Meanwhile, state Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine) has introduced a bill that could significantly alter these educational standards by limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) courses in public universities.
House Bill 2548: A Legislative Controversy
House Bill 2548 (HB 2548) is one of several legislative efforts to regulate university coursework related to race, gender, and social justice. This bill follows unsuccessful attempts in the 2023 legislative session to prevent faculty members from compelling students to adopt beliefs regarding race, sex, society, or politics.
HB 2548 seeks to ban courses that are required or constrained—meaning students have no real alternatives—if they cover topics such as:
- Critical race theory, systemic racism, institutional racism, whiteness, anti-racism, and decolonization.
- Race-based reparations, privilege, diversity, equity, inclusion, and marginalization.
- Intersectionality, gender identity, social justice, and cultural competence.
- Systemic bias, implicit bias, and unconscious bias.
The bill does allow for coursework on historical events, including slavery and the Holocaust, as long as it does not “distort significant historical events” or rely on theories that suggest systemic oppression is inherent in U.S. institutions. Degree programs focused on LGBTQ+ studies or African American studies may continue. Still, broader programs like sociology would face restrictions.
Community and Academic Backlash
The proposed bill has sparked widespread opposition from university professors, students, and advocacy groups, including the Austin Justice Coalition (AJC). Co-founder and executive director of AJC, Chas Moore, criticized the bill as “an attempt to erase and diminish large groups of people.” He argued that it invalidates the experiences of marginalized communities still facing systemic oppression.
Moore further emphasized that college education should encourage deep dives into history and societal issues rather than penalizing institutions for fostering discussions on DEI. Similarly, Rep. Ron Reynolds (D-Missouri City) called HB 2548 an “ideological gag order” to suppress discourse on systemic injustice.
Additional Legislative Efforts Targeting DEI
HB 2548 is part of a broader movement by Texas lawmakers to reshape higher education. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has voiced his desire to eliminate critical race theory in higher education. Other lawmakers, including Rep. Daniel Alders (R-Tyler), have introduced similar bills. The Texas Public Policy Foundation has also proposed legislation prioritizing civic education over diversity-focused curricula.
Additional bills introduced include:
- HB 2311 (Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian): Aim to eliminate DEI-related coursework, student organizations, research, and recruitment.
- HB 2339 (Defunding Indoctrination in Education Act): Seeks to prohibit LGBTQ+ courses and diversity programs at colleges and universities.
- Bills by Rep. Carl Tepper (R-Lubbock) and Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston): Aim to eliminate programs that do not provide a “positive return on investment” for students post-graduation.
The Impact on Higher Education and Communities
Critics argue that removing diversity education from higher education will have real-world consequences. An adjunct professor and doctoral candidate, Esmeralda Rubalcava Hernandez, warned that social work, sociology, and criminal justice students would graduate without the necessary knowledge to serve diverse communities effectively.
“Without these courses, students will lack an understanding of how race, gender, and systemic factors impact society,” she said. “This will inevitably harm marginalized communities and limit students’ ability to drive meaningful change.”
St. Edward’s University senior Sully Snook, a sociology major, echoed these concerns, stating that diversity courses have provided them with valuable insights. “I‘m learning so much that lower education doesn’t teach,” Snook said. “It’s so important and impactful to see the truth.”
A Threat to Academic Freedom?
The Austin Justice Coalition argues that HB 2548 and similar bills threaten academic freedom by restricting the exchange of ideas. Dominique Alexander, founder of the Next Generation Action Network, stated that these legislative efforts could prevent students from engaging in meaningful discussions about injustice and inequality.
“This kind of censorship fosters fear in classrooms and forces professors to second-guess their words,” Alexander said. “Students need exposure to diverse perspectives to become informed citizens.”
Eric Hepburn, a San Gabriel Unitarian Universalist fellow, also spoke out against the bill, emphasizing that Texans should confront societal truths rather than avoid them. “No one should be protected from the truth,” Hepburn said.
What’s Next?
The Texas House Committee on Higher Education has not yet scheduled a hearing for HB 2548, and the Senate Committee on K-16 Education has yet to address similar bills. However, as the debate unfolds, it is clear that the future of diversity education in Texas is at a crossroads.
With growing resistance from educators, students, and advocacy groups, the question remains: will Texas lawmakers succeed in reshaping higher education, or will public opposition keep diversity coursework intact?