College Free Speech Policies Turn Racist in Texas.

ACC, Texas Universities Strengthen Free Speech Policies, Protections against Antisemitism, Islamophobia

At their most recent board meeting, Austin Community College (ACC) board members approved updates to the school's free speech policies, including definitions and explicit protections against Islamophobic, racist, and homophobic speech. These updates come in response to Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order, which called for strengthened protections against antisemitism on college campuses.

Abbott's order: https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-44_antisemitism_in_institutions_of_higher_ed_IMAGE_03-27-2024.pdf

While the order specifically addressed antisemitism, ACC took the opportunity to expand the scope of protected classifications, adding protections for Muslim, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC students.

"The college firmly supports the rights of every individual and campus group to voice their opinions," ACC said in a statement.

Other Texas universities, including Texas State, Texas A&M, and the University of Houston, have also updated their free speech policies in compliance with the governor's order. These updates include adopting the definition of antisemitism and strengthening protections for freedom of expression.

It's important to note that these policy changes come in the context of rising Islamophobia and pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses across the nation. While we must condemn antisemitism in all its forms, we must also recognize the equally unacceptable rise in Islamophobic sentiment and ensure that free speech policies protect all students, regardless of their religious or cultural background.

URLs:

Abbott's order: https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-44_antisemitism_in_institutions_of_higher_ed_IMAGE_03-27-2024.pdf

Texas State University's new policy: https://policies.txst.edu/university-policies/07-04-01.html#section.02.05

University of Houston's revised policy: https://uh.edu/policies/_docs/mapp/01/010501.pdf