Texas A&M University is sponsoring a trip to a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conference for faculty and students, excluding those who are Asian and white, journalist Christopher Rufo revealed.
Rufo shared an email from the university detailing the PhD Project’s Annual Conference. The university said the conference is “permissible under recruitment exemptions in SB 17, as the project’s outward focus means it is not considered an ‘outsourcing’ of university DEI functions.”
The journalist included an image of the conference’s application guidelines, which said applicants must “identify as Black/American American, Latinx/Hispanic American, or Native American/Canadian Indigenous.”
According to the organization’s website, the conference gives “prospective doctoral students a realistic look at every phase of the PhD journey as well as an opportunity to network with current doctoral students, business school representatives, professors and partner organizations — all in one place.”
Upon learning of Texas A&M’s involvement in the conference, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) said, “It’s against Texas law and violates the U.S. Constitution. It will be fixed immediately or the president will soon be gone.”
University President Mark A. Welsh III said of the matter, “Texas A&M does not support any organization, conference, process or activity that excludes people based on race, creed, gender, age or any other discriminating factor. The intent of SB-17 is very clear in that regard. We will continue to honor both the letter and the intent of the law.”
In 2023, SB 17 banned DEI in Texas’ public universities.
The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Brandon Creighton (R) said at the time of its passage, “With this bold, forward-thinking legislation to eliminate DEI programs, Texas is leading the nation, and ensuring our campuses return to focusing on the strength of diversity and promoting a merit-based approach where individuals are judged on their qualifications, skills, and contributions. What sets SB 17 apart from other proposals is that the legislation delivers strong enforcement with mandates to return Texas colleges and universities to their core mission– educate and innovate.”
