Texas Tech chancellor directs faculty to recognize only two sexes in classroom instruction

The five public universities within the Texas Tech University System must “recognize only two human sexes” in their classroom instruction, according to a memo released Thursday by the system’s chancellor.

The five public universities within the Texas Tech University System must “recognize only two human sexes” in their classroom instruction, according to a memo released Thursday by the system’s chancellor.

In the memo, Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell cited a Texas law enacted this month that requires government records to only reflect someone’s “immutable” birth sex as male or female; an executive order President Donald Trump signed in January declaring that the federal government will only recognize two, unchangeable sexes; and a letter from Gov. Greg Abbott that directed state agencies to follow Trump’s order.

“Therefore, while recognizing the First Amendment rights of employees in their personal capacity, faculty must comply with these laws in the instruction of students, within the course and scope of their employment,” Mitchell wrote. “As a system, our role is to provide clarity and guidance to administration, ensuring that each university fulfills its legal obligations.”

The five universities within the system, which collectively have more than 60,000 students, are Texas Tech University, Angelo State University, Midwestern State University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso. The universities did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Mitchell directed faculty to review all instructional materials and adjust them accordingly.