Hey, you know how sometimes the news feels like it's happening miles away, but then something pops up that makes you really stop and think about what it means for our state? Well, Texas A&M University just announced they’re getting rid of their women’s and gender studies degree program. It’s a big deal, and it brings up some serious questions about what’s happening in Texas higher education. This isn't just about a degree program disappearing. It's a move that immediately brings up concerns about academic freedom and what kind of discussions are allowed inside our public university classrooms. You have to ask: Can state leaders really decide what professors teach, or what students are permitted to learn in a public institution? University officials are saying the decision comes down to low enrollment and the program's cost. The College of Arts and Sciences Interim Dean and a Senior Executive Associate sent an email, which The Texas Tribune got a hold of, explaining that even smaller programs need ongoing investment in staff time and administrative oversight. On the surface, that sounds like a smart use of public money, right? But there’s a lot more to this story. This outcome isn't random. It’s the final step in a campus-wide course review that started last fall after a viral video surfaced. That video showed a student confronting a professor about gender identity content, and it quickly sparked a big political backlash. That kind of pressure can really shape how universities operate. Following that controversy, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents jumped in. They passed a new policy that puts strict limits on how race and gender can be discussed in classes. Specifically, faculty can't promote “race or gender ideology” or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity. There's an exception, but only if a campus president gives a written OK for certain non-core or graduate-level courses, and only if they serve a “necessary educational purpose.” The tricky part? No one’s really spelled out what that “necessary educational purpose” actually means. That ambiguity can create a chilling effect on what professors feel safe teaching. So, what did this big review turn up? University officials said they combed through a massive 5,400 course syllabi for the current spring semester. That's a huge undertaking. In the end, they canceled six specific courses. These cancellations weren't limited to just one area; they were spread across departments like the Bush School of Government and Public Service, and the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Education and Human Development. They also mentioned that faculty and their department heads did a lot of the heavy lifting, changing hundreds of syllabi to align with the new rules. Deans then sent 54 courses up to the president and provost for a final look. Of those, 48 ended up getting an exception. For the 25 students who were majoring and 31 minoring in women’s and gender studies, there’s a small bit of relief. They’ll be allowed to finish their programs over the next six semesters. But no new students will be accepted into the program, effectively shutting it down for good. This whole situation really makes you think about the line between state oversight and a university’s independence. Is this just about smart spending, or is it a move to silence certain viewpoints? Where does a professor's right to teach freely stand when state policy gets this specific about curriculum? It truly challenges the idea that universities should be places for open, critical inquiry, even on tough subjects. It's a precedent that could impact public education across Texas.