Texas Tech System orders compliance with state law recognizing only two sexes

The Texas Tech University (TTU) System has directed its institutions to comply with state and federal policies that recognize only two human sexes, male and female.

In a memorandum issued September 25, Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell instructed the presidents of the five universities under the TTU System to align faculty and classroom instruction with those laws.

The directive cites three sources: House Bill 229, passed during the 89th Legislative Session; a letter from Gov. Greg Abbott; and an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.

HB 229 provides statutory definitions for “male,” “female,” “mother,” “father,” and related terms. Abbott’s letter directed Texas state agencies to recognize “the biological reality that there are only two sexes — male and female.” Trump’s order emphasized using sex-based definitions in federal policy to protect women’s rights and religious freedoms.

“While recognizing the First Amendment rights of employees in their personal capacity, faculty must comply with these laws in the instruction of students, within the course and scope of their employment,” Mitchell wrote in the memo. He added that while some may hold different personal views, compliance is required for state employees.

Angelo State Precedent

The systemwide directive follows steps already taken by Angelo State University, which issued guidance to staff and faculty on September 19. That policy prohibited the use of preferred pronouns, eliminated “safe-space” designations, and reinforced the biological definitions of sex.

Faculty groups have criticized the measures. Brian Evans, president of Texas AAUP-AFT, told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that the policies limit open inquiry and erase diverse perspectives.

Broader Higher Education Changes

The directive comes amid wider policy shifts in Texas higher education.

At Texas A&M University, a professor was dismissed and administrators removed after controversy surrounding LGBT themes in a children’s literature course. At Texas State University, a professor who was fired over political remarks later won reinstatement through a lawsuit but will not be returning to the classroom.

Leadership changes have also reshaped university governance. Former Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar now heads the Texas A&M System, and state Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) will become chancellor of the TTU System on October 1.

Creighton authored Senate Bill 37, which restructures faculty roles by converting faculty senates into advisory councils and granting regents — appointed by the governor — final authority over curricula and degree programs.

Next Steps

With the new directive in place, TTU faculty and staff are expected to adjust instruction and policy to align with the laws. The memo signals that compliance will remain a central requirement as new leadership takes charge of the system.