Texas Tech To Phase Out SOGI Coursework

Chancellor's memo outlines plan to end academic programs focused on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 8:06pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping, geometric shapes and waves of color in navy blue, forest green, and burnt orange, conveying a sense of political and academic upheaval.As Texas universities face pressure to limit LGBTQ+ and gender studies programming, the visual chaos of this fractured painting reflects the ongoing political tensions.Fort Worth Today

Texas Tech University System Chancellor Brandon Creighton has released a policy memo outlining a plan to 'phase out' all academic programs and coursework centered on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) across the university system. The memo establishes guidelines for a formal program review, admissions freeze, and eventual closure of SOGI-focused credentials, while also prohibiting SOGI content in lower-level undergraduate courses and restricting but allowing exemptions for upper-level and graduate SOGI instruction.

Why it matters

This move by the Texas Tech system builds on similar actions taken by other major Texas universities, reflecting a broader political push to limit or eliminate academic programming related to LGBTQ+ issues, gender studies, and diversity and inclusion efforts on college campuses in the state.

The details

Creighton's memo lays out several 'core components' of the phase-out plan, including a system-wide program review and admissions freeze to initiate the closure of SOGI-focused academic credentials, a strict prohibition on SOGI content in lower-level undergraduate courses, and more limited exemptions allowing SOGI instruction in upper-level and graduate courses. The memo also reaffirms a previous ban on advocacy of 'race- and sex-based prejudice' and establishes a 'Two Human Sexes Requirement' that prohibits 'decoupling' gender from biological sex.

  • In fall 2025, Chancellor Creighton launched an 'exhaustive review' of university course content.
  • On April 13, 2026, Creighton released the policy memo outlining the phase-out plan.

The players

Brandon Creighton

Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, who released the policy memo establishing the phase-out of SOGI-focused academic programs.

Cody Campbell

Current chairman of the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents, which is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate.

Texas Tech University System

A university system overseeing three academic institutions and two health sciences centers in Texas.

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What they’re saying

“The TTU System will no longer offer academic credentials in these fields, but all currently enrolled students will be able to complete their degrees.”

— Brandon Creighton, Chancellor, Texas Tech University System

What’s next

The memo did not provide a timeline for the phase-out, and the Texas Tech System did not immediately respond to a request for clarification on the implementation schedule.

The takeaway

This policy change at Texas Tech is part of a broader trend in Texas to limit or eliminate academic programming related to LGBTQ+ issues, gender studies, and diversity and inclusion efforts on college campuses, reflecting an ongoing political debate over the role of these topics in higher education.