Faculty Unions Sue Texas Tech, Claim Unconstitutional Censorship of Course Content
Faculty unions sued Texas Tech on July 8, 2026, alleging unconstitutional censorship of academic content.
Why it matters: Legal professionals should monitor this case as it raises constitutional questions about academic freedom, viewpoint discrimination, and institutional governance. The outcome could impact curriculum policies and faculty rights nationwide.
- Faculty unions filed the lawsuit on July 8, 2026, in federal court alleging Texas Tech violates First Amendment rights by censoring race, gender identity, and sexual orientation instruction.
- Chancellor Brandon Creighton issued memoranda in December 2025 and April 2026 directing removal of programs and content on sexual orientation and gender identity with limited exceptions.
- Professors across Texas Tech’s five campuses must submit course materials for review by system regents, leading to removal or alteration of lessons on Black history, LGBTQ+ issues, constitutional law, immigration, and transgender health care.
- Unions claim the policies are vague, discriminate against certain faculty, and constitute unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination, seeking a federal injunction to block their enforcement.
On July 8, 2026, faculty unions representing professors at Texas Tech University System filed a federal lawsuit challenging new curriculum policies they say unconstitutionally restrict teaching on race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The case is filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas but the formal court documents have not yet been made publicly available.
The origins of the dispute trace to two memoranda from Texas Tech Chancellor Brandon Creighton dated December 2025 and April 2026. These directives ordered the elimination of academic programs involving sexual orientation or gender identity and removal of related content from core undergraduate courses except in narrowly defined circumstances. Instruction related to systemic racism, racial privilege, and oppression was also restricted.
Professors across all five campuses in the Texas Tech system must submit syllabi and course materials to the university system’s board of regents for approval before teaching these sensitive topics. This process has led to the modification or removal of lessons on Black history, LGBTQ+ issues, constitutional law, immigration policy, and medical care for transgender patients.
The faculty unions argue these policies constitute illegal viewpoint discrimination and unconstitutionally vague mandates unfairly targeting faculty members. Nicholas Hite, counsel for the unions, said in a statement, "Proponents of the agenda can't change reality outside campus walls, so they're trying to distort how that reality is taught on Texas Tech campuses." Former biology professor Lisa Limeri told The Texas Tribune, "Many faculty are omitting topics they normally teach because the policies lack clarity on what is permitted, effectively censoring experienced scholars and depriving students of comprehensive education."
Chancellor Creighton defended the memoranda as efforts to better prepare students for employment, stating they "ensure academic content aligns with the workforce needs of Texas." The faculty unions seek a federal court ruling declaring the memoranda unconstitutional and issuing an injunction to halt their enforcement pending litigation.
By the numbers:
- July 8, 2026 — Date faculty unions filed the lawsuit against Texas Tech University System
- December 2025 and April 2026 — Dates Chancellor Creighton issued memoranda enforcing curriculum restrictions
- Five — Number of Texas Tech campuses affected by the new curriculum policies
Yes, but: The university defends its policies as necessary to align academic content with workforce demands, emphasizing administrative authority over curriculum design.
What's next: The lawsuit is expected to proceed through preliminary injunction motions, with a hearing anticipated in fall 2026.