# UT-Austin cuts race and gender majors for new students

> The university eliminated African diaspora, Latino, and women's studies majors, citing a new state law that gives presidents wide discretion.
- Title: UT-Austin cuts race and gender majors for new students
- Summary: The university eliminated African diaspora, Latino, and women's studies majors, citing a new state law that gives presidents wide discretion. UT-Austin…
- Keywords: university of texas at austin, ut-austin, african diaspora studies, latino studies, women and gender studies, danielle clealand, department of social and cultural analys, william inboden, texas higher education, program cuts, texas republicans, diversity education
- Source: The Texas Tribune — https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17464761/university-texas-austin-cuts-race-gender-majors
- Author: Jaden Edison
- Published: 2026-09-17T18:23:04+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: university of texas at austin, ut-austin, african diaspora studies, latino studies, women and gender studies, danielle clealand, department of social and cultural analys, william inboden, texas higher education, program cuts, texas republicans, diversity education
## 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.
## Key takeaway

UT-Austin eliminated majors in African diaspora, Latino, and women's studies for incoming students, though current students can still complete their degrees.