The University of Texas at Austin is set to implement a significant restructuring of its ethnic and gender studies departments, merging seven existing units into two new departments, a decision that has raised concerns among both students and faculty members.
The restructuring plan was unveiled during a recent meeting where the dean of the College of Liberal Arts informed department chairs of the changes. While faculty anticipate that these reconfigurations will be finalized by September 2027, university officials have indicated that there is no established timeline for the consolidation. In a subsequent message to the university community, President Jim Davis shared details about the merger, which will combine the departments of African and African Diaspora Studies; American Studies; Mexican American and Latina/o Studies; and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies into a newly formed Department of Social and Cultural Analysis. Meanwhile, the French and Italian; Germanic Studies; and Slavic and Eurasian Studies departments will collectively become the Department of European and Eurasian Studies.
As this consolidation progresses, curriculums will be reviewed to assess available majors, minors, and courses. However, faculty have expressed concern over a lack of clarity regarding how this review process will unfold and its potential consequences on existing classes and faculty specialties.
Chávez, a professor in the Mexican American and Latina/o Studies department, voiced concerns that the consolidation could detract from faculty focus on students as they navigate new governance structures. She expressed apprehension that the top-down review of curriculums might compromise academic freedom, making it difficult for faculty to teach crucial topics aligned with their expertise.
Faculty members have criticized the lack of consultation in the decision-making process, stating that changes seemed to rush through without adequate input from staff or students. This restructuring will directly impact over 800 students currently enrolled in the affected programs.
First-year student Alfredo Campos, who is pursuing a government major with a minor in Mexican American and Latina/o studies, shared his feelings of instability and confusion regarding the implications of the consolidation on his educational journey. He and many others are left uncertain about the future of their courses and degrees amidst these changes.
Concerns around this restructuring have been brewing for months, particularly after the UT System began auditing gender studies courses last October. Additionally, the university established an Advisory Committee on Administrative Structure to explore potential modifications within the liberal arts college, signaling a concern about potential losses in autonomy for smaller academic units.
Chávez highlighted that many of the departments affected emerged from student and community demands aimed at reflecting diverse narratives in the curriculum. She observed a troubling trend of attacks on ethnic and gender studies nationwide, as certain political factions seek to challenge perspectives on race, gender, and sexuality in academia.
Campos articulated his determination to advocate for the preservation of diverse academic programs at UT, emphasizing the role of the university as a leading institution in Texas.
The announcement comes at a time of broader changes across Texas universities, with Texas A&M eliminating its women and gender studies degree program and Texas Tech implementing restrictions on discussing race or gender diversity. Meanwhile, the University of Houston has shifted its focus away from its women and gender resource center.
The UT administration has yet to provide additional comments or response to the concerns raised by affected students and faculty.