As Texas lawmakers head back to the Capitol for the 2025 legislative session, they could seek to limit the influence faculty have over campus culture and curriculum at universities. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants lawmakers to recommend potential changes to the roles of faculty senates, which traditionally take the lead on developing curriculum and ensuring professors have the academic freedom to teach and research subjects without fear of political interference. Conservatives say university curriculum has been infused with ideologies that have helped take higher education in Texas in an overly liberal direction. Some professors fear the Republican-controlled Legislature could undermine a long-standing balance of power that’s meant to protect higher education from politicization.
