UT Faculty Council passes resolution supporting freedom to teach critical race theory

Originally Published on Austin American-Statesman

The Faculty Council at the University of Texas approved a nonbinding resolution Monday defending the academic freedom of faculty members to teach about race, gender justice and critical race theory.

The resolution, approved 41-5 with three members abstaining, states that educators, not politicians, should make decisions about what to teach, and it supports the right of faculty members to design courses and curriculum and to conduct scholarly research in their fields. The UT Faculty Council is an organization that represents the faculty members at the university.

Faculty members approved the resolution partly in response to legislation around the country seeking to limit discussions involving race in schools, colleges and universities. The resolution expresses solidarity with K-12 teachers in Texas who are seeking to "teach the truth in U.S. history and civics education."

State lawmakers approved GOP bills last year limiting classroom discussions of race and gender amid a conservative backlash against critical race theory, a framework of scholarship to examine racism. The Legislature has not, however, targeted the teaching of critical race theory and related topics in Texas universities.

“State legislative proposals seeking to limit teaching and discussions of racism and related issues have been proposed and enacted in several states, including Texas,” the resolution says. “This resolution affirms the fundamental rights of faculty to academic freedom in its broadest sense, inclusive of research and teaching of race and gender theory….