Professors Furious Over Being Told Not To Indoctrinate Students: ‘Out Of Control’

Professors at the University of Houston (UH) are complaining about a new rule requiring them to self-audit their courses to ensure they are not indoctrinating students.

Professors reportedly received a memo from UH administrators announcing that they may soon be required to evaluate their degree programs for “personal or institutional advocacy,” according to Chron. The proposed rule was written in response to a recently enacted state law requiring schools to review curricula to ensure they do not contain biased opinions and that they “effectively prepare students for civic and professional life.”

The university previously asked professors to sign a pledge to “not indoctrinate” students with their course materials, a move that sparked outrage among some professors, Chron reported.

“It’s too much,” María C. González, an associate professor of English at UH, told the Chron. “We have already dealt with the oath of loyalty [committing not to indoctrinate]. And now you want us to do something like a self-assessment that would require us to self-censor?

“This is all draconian, ridiculous and out of control – and it has really galvanized all of my colleagues,” she continued. “I am in no way going to do a self-assessment checklist to assert my innocence for charges that don’t exist.”

Governor Greg Abbott speaks during a bill signing at the State Capitol on April 23, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Texas law prevents universities’ core curriculum from endorsing “specific public policies, ideologies, or legislation” and requires schools to ensure courses are “fundamental and foundational,” “necessary to prepare students for civic and professional life” and “prepare students for participation in the workforce and for the betterment of society.” The state has taken steps to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) departments and initiatives from school systems. (RELATED: Texas universities rebrand ‘diversity’ programs as statewide ban takes effect)

“People who seek to prevent professors from discussing uncomfortable topics in class are doing a disservice to our students,” Carole Love, another UH professor, told Chron Holley. “By discussing difficult topics, we teach students to think critically, form and support their own arguments, and engage in thoughtful and respectful debate. »

UH professors also claim administrators searched curriculum using certain keywords, Chron reported.

A UH spokesperson told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the guidelines for course reviews are still being developed and are not intended to be an administrative directive.

Many Texas universities have begun eliminating programs based on gender and race based on the new law. The state even stripped the American Bar Association — previously the nation’s only law school accrediting body — of its oversight of Texas schools, citing “unlawful race and gender discrimination” based on its requirement for colleges to ensure their students and staff are “diverse with respect to gender, race and ethnicity.”

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