Texas A&M University has put the brakes on future conference travel after Gov. Greg Abbott (R) discovered that only applicants of a certain race could attend.
Monday, conservative activist Christopher Rufo posted an image University professor promoting doctoral project annual conference in Chicago. The application states that the conference is “designed for historically underrepresented populations considering business doctoral studies,” including Black/African American, Latinx Only American/Hispanic American or Native American/Indigenous Canadian students were eligible to participate.
“Texas A&M sponsors a trip to a DEI conference that prohibits white and Asian people from attending. The university falsely claims that this use of taxpayer funds does not violate the state's DEI ban. @TAMU supports segregation and is breaking the law,” Rufo wrote.
The post ultimately came to Abbott's attention late Monday, threatening the chancellor's job security if the problem was not fixed.
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“It's outrageous. This violates Texas law and violates the U.S. Constitution. If it's not fixed immediately, the president will be gone immediately.” Mr Abbott warned.
The university ultimately issued a statement on its expressed.
“Texas A&M does not support any organization, conference, process, or activity that excludes people on the basis of race, creed, gender, age, or other discriminatory factor. In this regard, the intent of SB-17 is It's clear, and we will continue to respect that, both in the letter and the intent of the law.'' Post read.
In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, university president Mark A. Welsh III acknowledged the application in question, acknowledged that the conference itself was “in violation” of state law, and canceled the trip entirely. .
“Although proper processes were followed to review and approve attendance at events such as this, we do not believe the spirit of state law was adequately considered in making the initial decision to participate,” the statement said. It is written in “This conference's racial restrictions are inconsistent with the intent of SB-17, so we will not allow anyone to attend this conference.”
Almost half of all U.S. college students refuse to study DEI courses required on campus.
Professor Wales continued, “Texas A&M faculty and staff attend hundreds, if not thousands, of conferences and other events during each academic year. “We need to make sure that this is consistent with the very clear guidance that we have given.” Given by our governing body. ”
This statement was sent to staff and faculty at Mays School of Business.
Texas A&M responded to Governor Abbott's threat by canceling its scheduled conference trip. (Rhonda Churchill/Bloomberg via Getty Images | Brett Coomer Photo/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Fox News Digital also reached out to the governor's office for comment.
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The PhD Project Annual Conference was established by the Pathways to Research and Doctoral Careers (PREDOC) consortium and will be held in March. PREDOC website described the application process as “exclusive” and “designed for historically underrepresented individuals considering business doctoral studies.”
