TCU to close departments dedicated to women, gender and race studies
At the end of the academic year, TCU will close its Department of Women and Gender Studies and the Department of Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies. Courses from these departments that remain intact will fall under the Department of English umbrella going forward.
Given the Trump administration’s opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in academic institutions, the move could lead some to believe politics contributed to TCU’s decision. However, a source close to the university cautioned against drawing that conclusion, saying “university decisions are not influenced by external pressure.”
“It’s a common practice to evaluate department structures to ensure alignment with student and academic need, in addition to the effective use of faculty and administrative resources,” a statement from TCU read. “Our university is growing, which means that we need more faculty and staff in areas of strong academic demand, not less.”
At schools nationwide, departments, offices and courses built around race and gender have faced increased attacks under President Trump’s administration.
In April, TCU eliminated its Office of Diversity and Inclusion and removed pages referencing DEI and LGBTQ services from its website. The university didn’t comment on the reasons for closing the office, but TCU does still maintain its Center for Connected Culture.
The center’s website says, “TCU fosters a community of growth where all Horned Frogs feel included and supported.”
In order to curb what he has deemed “radicalism” in higher education, President Trump has cut federal funding to universities across the country, and he recently asked nine colleges to sign his Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.
Under the compact, the universities would receive preference for federal funding if they meet certain criteria, including eliminating enrollment considerations based on gender, ethnicity and race. Another requirement is eliminating “institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle and even spark violence against conservative ideas.”
Seven of the nine schools that were offered the compact — MIT, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of California, the University of Virginia, Dartmouth College and the University of Arizona — declined to sign it.
Vanderbilt University and the University of Texas in Austin have not announced a final decision.