Texas A&M University Abruptly Shuts Down Women’s and Gender Studies Degree Program

Texas A&M University Abruptly Shuts Down Women’s and Gender Studies Degree Program

On Friday, Texas A&M University announced a surprising decision to eliminate its Women’s and Gender Studies degree program, citing limited student interest coupled with university policies. Current students enrolled in this program will have the opportunity to complete their degrees as a result of this announcement.

Interim President Tommy Williams stated that for 150 years, Texas A&M has been a leader in higher education across Texas, with its mission remaining steadfast. He emphasized that strong oversight and standards are crucial to protect academic integrity and public trust. This approach, Williams assured, guarantees that a degree from Texas A&M remains valuable for students and prospective employers.

The university’s College of Arts and Sciences Interim Dean Simon North and Senior Executive Associate Cynthia Werner communicated the news to faculty through an email that was later shared with The Texas Tribune. The officials acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision, particularly for those involved in the program.

They expressed, We understand that this is devastating news. One of our primary responsibilities as university administrators is to be careful stewards of public funds. Even programs with the smallest enrollment require considerable investment in faculty, staff support, and administrative oversight.

Degree Options Offered

Texas A&M previously provided a bachelor of arts degree, a bachelor of science degree, an undergraduate minor, and a graduate certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies. According to reports, the program had 25 students pursuing a major and 31 students seeking a minor. This termination comes amid broader discussions regarding academic offerings and curricular changes at the university.

Comprehensive Course Review Initiated

The university recently undertook a thorough course review for the Spring 2026 semester. This extensive evaluation involved over 5,400 syllabi to ensure compliance with the institution’s Civil Rights Protections and Compliance policies, as well as its Academic Freedom, Responsibility, and Tenure policies. During this process, hundreds of syllabi across 17 colleges were adjusted to align with these requirements.

Deans were granted the chance to propose exemptions for non-core curriculum courses, leading to the submission of 54 courses to the university’s president. Ultimately, 48 of these exemptions were approved, reflecting the university’s approach to maintaining educational standards while accommodating faculty needs.

Controversy Surrounds Course Content

This review was initiated following an incident in which a student was reportedly removed from a class after questioning transgender-related course material. A video went viral depicting the exchange, where a female student challenged a professor’s teaching by asking if it was legal to discuss gender ideology, referencing President Donald Trump’s executive orders. The professor indicated that the student was under a misconception about the legality of the course content, leading to her dismissal from the class.

In response to this incident, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents demanded a comprehensive audit of all courses offered. The board emphasized that actions damaging to the institutions’ reputation would not be tolerated, calling for immediate steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Board of Regents Actions

The Board of Regents has consistently sought to uphold the integrity of academic programs within the Texas A&M University System. This vigilant oversight was emphasized during fallout from the recent student incident. The Regents required that the Chancellor conduct an audit of every course to ensure full compliance with applicable laws.

In November 2024, the board moved to cut 52 low-producing minors and certificate programs, including the LGBTQ Studies minor. Initially approved in the fall of 2022, this minor was closely tied to the Women and Gender Studies Department. Despite efforts from the college to retain the program, the university provost denied their request.

Community Reactions and Future Implications

Reactions to the closure of the Women’s and Gender Studies program have been mixed. Advocates for diverse academic disciplines lament the loss of a program they believe is crucial for understanding gender issues and contributing to social justice discourse. Conversely, supporters of the university’s decision argue it reflects a necessary tightening of academic offerings to ensure sustainability and relevance.

As the academic landscape continues to evolve, Texas A&M’s actions may set a precedent for how similar programs across the country are perceived and handled. The dissolution of this program invites broader conversations about academic diversity and the university’s commitment to upholding its mission.

Fox News Digital reached out for comments from Texas A&M regarding the program’s closure but had not received a response at the time of publication.

This report incorporates contributions from Greg Norman-Diamond and Rachel del Guidice of Fox News Digital.