Texas A&M president is stepping down after upheaval over classroom video

Texas A&M University’s president is stepping down after facing criticism over a classroom video that showed a student objecting to a children’s literature lesson about gender, which led to the professor’s firing

Texas A&M University’s president is stepping down after facing criticism over a classroom video that showed a student objecting to a children’s literature lesson about gender, which led to the professor’s firing.

The resignation of school president Mark A. Welsh III was announced Thursday by Texas A&M University System Chancellor Glenn Hegar, who said it was “the right moment for change” at one of the nation’s largest universities.

Hegar did not mention the video in a statement. But Welsh’s departure comes after the video thrust his campus into turmoil and put him under criticism by some Republican lawmakers, including the state’s lieutenant governor.

“Together, we believe this transition is necessary to ensure Texas A&M is well positioned for the future, a future that demands bold leadership, continued innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the core values of this university to meet the challenges we face,” Hegar said.

Welsh’s resignation will take effect on Friday, according to the school. The university system did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting a copy of his resignation letter.