alt.hn

2/19/2026 at 8:39:59 PM

University of Texas limits on teaching of "unnecessary controversial subjects"

 https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/19/texas-university-ut-regents-unnecessarily-controversial-subjects/

by bhouston

2/19/2026 at 8:48:38 PM

>The policy does not define what qualifies as “controversial” or what constitutes a “broad and balanced approach.”

I'm sure it will just be "things that powerful people tell us not to talk about".

by duxup

2/19/2026 at 9:00:42 PM

"Talking about Ken Paxtons extra marital affairs is controversial, I'm sure.

by pixl97

2/19/2026 at 9:06:18 PM

The entire tech industry is rooted in the study of subjects which were extemporaneously considered unnecessary by the average person.

by Lendal

2/20/2026 at 1:46:41 AM

UT Austin graduate here. Nowhere in this article does the word "censorship" appear. But that is the only way to describe this new policy. In recent years, UT Austin has suppressed peaceful protests and demonstrations on campus concerning the war in Gaza. Now the university is censoring "unnecessary controversial subjects," and although the new rule does not define what qualifies as “controversial,” it should be obvious to everyone what is prohibited.

Ironically, the state of Texas in 2019 enacted a law aimed at protecting free speech on public university campuses, a measure that was ostensibly intended to reinforce the First Amendment rights of students and faculty. The law designated common outdoor areas as traditional public forums and required policies for disciplining those who interfere with free speech. Back then, conservative legislators were trying to ensure that so-called "woke" or "politically correct" instructors and administrators did not suppress the articulation of conservative opinions.

It is time to change the school motto for UT Austin from "Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis" to something more appropriate for the institution: "All Students and Faculty Are Equal, but Some Students and Faculty Are More Equal Than Others."

by diogenes_atx

2/20/2026 at 4:30:04 AM

Maybe that sentiment explains why a giant Scientology "office" opened up right next to UT's campus... the promotion of ignorance, censorship, and an unwillingness to confront uncomfortable things like reality.

by burnt-resistor

2/20/2026 at 8:15:32 PM

It's been there for years, they only just recently remodeled.

by 46493168

2/20/2026 at 3:25:11 PM

I guess they are gonna have to cancel all psychology programs.

by lostmsu

2/19/2026 at 8:51:02 PM

Disappointing to see my alma mater gradually self-sabotage into irrelevance.

by evmaki

2/19/2026 at 9:59:10 PM

s/alma mater/country

by CamperBob2

2/20/2026 at 2:23:37 AM

>departments into a new Social and Cultural Analysis department.

Sound like a Bible Study Department to me. But you can head to Mass, NY and Calif. Schools. There may very well have plenty of openings due to Trumps banning of international students. Plus you will be able to study real Social and Historical Subjects if you so desire.

by jmclnx

2/20/2026 at 2:05:31 AM

[dead]

by black_13

2/19/2026 at 11:11:38 PM

[flagged]

by hagbard_c

2/20/2026 at 3:05:02 AM

"Here again it is important to note that 'controversial subjects' should be taught if they are germane to the topic but taught without bias. To take the subject of 'anthropogenic climate change' I mentioned above it should be possible for two students to achieve similar grades if one of them supports the thesis while the other denies it as long as both use sound arguments to come to their conclusions."

In principle, of course everyone would agree with this. In this particular instance though, there is no known scientifically "sound argument" against anthropogenic climate change. The appearance of controversy is entirely manufactured, just as the case for the healthfulness of cigarettes was manufactured in the 60s, and for the same reasons: the protection of entrenched economic interests. And because this is a law, and the Texas state government controls the massive state funding of the University of Texas, the application of this law will be purely political. Could a valid argument against the anthropogenic hypothesis ultimately emerge? It seems unlikely, but it's possible. This law will preclude anyone coming up with it, however, because any flimsy argument in line with the views of Texas' current regime will be accepted as valid. There is very little market for scientific truth in Texas right now.

by vannevar

2/20/2026 at 12:28:46 AM

this is the govt stifling free speech, and fwiw climate is not controversial; climate change is a real and existential threat.

sheltering students who have other (read: conservative) views is anti-knowledge and anti-education.

by kanbara

2/20/2026 at 1:01:08 PM

Q.E.D.

by hagbard_c

2/20/2026 at 1:06:57 AM

The thing is that the university admin are not going to apply this in good faith. We know this because the current conservative movement is a steady stream of bad faith actions. From deportations, to free speech, to corruption, to weaponizing the DOJ, to DOGE, etc. etc. This policy WILL be used to censor anything even a tiny bit to the left of hard right and will NEVER be used to censor anything on the right side of hard right.

by Eddy_Viscosity2

2/20/2026 at 12:31:50 AM

Lmfao you are fucking endorsing climate denial!

by selridge

2/20/2026 at 6:37:50 AM

Q.E.D.

by hagbard_c

2/20/2026 at 1:34:40 PM

Nazi states of America

by rsrsrs86