The University of Texas System Free Speech Policy

Summary

In August 2024, the University of Texas System Board of Regents adopted a new free speech policy that reaffirmed the system’s commitment to the Chicago Statement on Free Speech and the Kalven Report. The regents emphasized that students, faculty, and staff retained their expressive rights, but the system and its institutions must remain neutral and avoid taking positions on political or social issues not directly related to university operations. The policy stated that institutions should not issue official statements, functions, ceremonies, or publications that comment on issues of the day. The policy was introduced in the context of unrest at UT‑Austin following pro‑Palestinian protests, with regents emphasizing that the university itself would not take sides in political controversies.

In August 2025, the Board of Regents voted to dissolve faculty senates across the system under Senate Bill 37, a law passed earlier that year requiring regents to decide whether faculty senates could continue. If reestablished, senates would be limited to 60 members, with the president appointing up to half of the members, and all meetings would be livestreamed. Regents authorized university presidents to create new faculty advisory groups while decisions about faculty senates were under review. That same month, regents approved new rules on campus protests and expressive activity following the passage of the Campus Protection Act. The rules prohibited demonstrations between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., camping or encampments, wearing masks to conceal identity, and lowering flags. Members of the public were barred from protesting, leafleting, or holding unsponsored events on campus unless invited or sponsored. Students, faculty, and staff retained limited expressive rights in outdoor common areas but were subject to time, place, and manner restrictions, including reservations for amplified sound and a prohibition on its use after 5 p.m. on weekdays. These rules followed demonstrations related to the war in Gaza and other political events.

In October 2025, Governor Greg Abbott named the first head of a new office within the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to investigate complaints about professors and curriculum content. Abbott stated in a social media post that the office would target professors who were “more focused on pushing leftist ideologies rather than preparing students to lead our nation.” He described the actions as necessary to ensure professors were teaching in ways that prepared students for leadership rather than advancing personal political beliefs. The announcement followed the removal of UT‑Austin psychology professor Art Markman from a provost role and other faculty terminations across the state, which Abbott framed as examples of educators promoting ideology over instruction.