Three majors eliminated at UT

New students can no longer major in African diaspora, Mexican American and Latino, or women and gender studies. Current students can still finish their degrees.

Faculty proposal rejected

Provost officials rejected a proposal to keep the majors, according to an email from professor Danielle Clealand. She told colleagues the decision came without public knowledge.

“The frustration from always receiving bad news weighs on me as I'm sure it does all of you.”

New law strips faculty power

A state law let the UT System overhaul how programs get cut. Campus presidents now have wide discretion, and professors cannot appeal decisions.

Political pressure on Texas schools

Republican leaders want to restrict how public schools and colleges teach race, gender and sexuality. Texas Tech and Texas A&M have already made similar cuts.

Departments merged earlier this year

UT-Austin consolidated African studies, Latino studies and gender studies into one department called Social and Cultural Analysis. Hundreds of students still pursue degrees in those fields.

Students feel unwelcome, professors say

The cuts send a message that these programs hold no worth as independent degrees. Students don't know if it's even legal to take courses on gender or race.

“Students don't know whether it's even legal for them to take courses in things about gender or race or ethnicity because there's so much hostility.”

Trump administration sought changes

Federal officials asked UT-Austin to define gender strictly and eliminate departments seen as hostile to conservative ideas. The president later said it was just feedback, not a mandate.

Why these courses matter now

Texas is one of the most diverse states, with Hispanic, Black and Asian residents making up three-fifths of the population. Recent racist incidents show why these degrees are needed.