Texas Tech students stage ‘funeral’ for academic freedom

On Thursday, students and instructors marched outside the Texas Tech University System administration building, performed a mock burial, and alleged that academic freedom had been “murdered.”

The demonstration took place outside a meeting of the Board of Regents, where system leaders have been defending policy changes made earlier this year. The rules, championed by Chancellor Brandon Creighton, restrict classroom discussion of what the university calls “prohibited advocacy concepts,” including those regarding gender identity and sexual orientation.

The changes have narrowed the scope of higher education, say student organizers. “These are not fringe or frivolous issues,” said Tara Findley, a student who helped organize the event. “It’s important to learn how to work with diverse people to be career-ready.

Creighton said the changes aim to ensure the curriculum meets businesses' needs and leads to long-term student success. “We are very much on the same page as those expectations,” he said. “Working with CEOs … and expectations from the private sector …

Some students said they're worried the decision could impact employers' perceptions of their degrees. “The revisions could make grads look less well-rounded,” said Maddox Guillen, a student and co-founder of Raiders Against Censorship. “An employer is going to look at a Texas Tech degree… and select the well-rounded person,” he added.

Protesters also said they feel that officials have not fully addressed their concerns. Creighton took issue with it, stating there are still disputes on campus. “We don’t need 100 percent ratification,” he said. “We want the people to feel that they are heard.”

But university officials said the review process modified fewer than 3 percent of courses. In a statement, the system said it is committed to “free expression, diversity of thought and respectful dialogue” and ensuring the curriculum is rigorous and aligned with student objectives.

Creighton argues campus diversity doesn’t simply happen in the classroom. “We have one of the most diverse campuses in America,” he said, adding that students still get a wide variety of viewpoints through their daily encounters.

Students currently enrolled in impacted degree programs will be allowed to complete their degrees under current requirements.