Texas Tech University Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell has issued a directive requiring all university employees, including faculty, to recognize only two sexes—male and female—in their classroom instruction. This mandate aligns with directives from President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, emphasizing compliance with state and federal laws that currently recognize only two human sexes.
Mitchell wrote in a memo that universities are required to comply with both state and federal law, executive orders, and directives issued by President Donald Trump and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a ‘fundamental’ responsibility as stewards of public trust. Current laws and directives recognize only two human sexes — male and female — as outlined in Texas House Bill 229, the Governor’s letter, and an Executive Order.
The chancellor acknowledged that staff may hold ‘differing personal views on these matters,’ but noted that compliance is mandatory. ‘Regardless [of personal views], in your role as a state employee, compliance with the law is required, and I trust in your professionalism to carry out these responsibilities in a manner that reflects well on our universities,’ Mitchell wrote.
Administrations must review course materials, curricula, syllabi and other instructional documents to ensure compliance and make adjustments as needed. Accrediting organizations, including the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), have already recognized the changes, working with programs and institutions to balance educational commitments with legal compliance.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has criticized similar action at Angelo State University, which enacted a new policy forbidding faculty ‘discussion of transgender topics or any topics that suggest there are more than two genders,’ and transgender-related topics on syllabi. On Tuesday, FIRE wrote a letter to Angelo State alleging the restrictions violate the First Amendment, and calling on the university to immediately withdraw the policy. Texas Tech and FIRE did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.