News Related to Higher Education and LGBTQIA+ Stakeholders
This is a collection of reports where issues related to sexual orientation and/or identity relative to administration of colleges and universities have made the news. It is important for administrators, faculty, staff, students and other NMU constituents to be aware of what is happening across the postsecondary education landscape so we are prepared to manage changes in social conditions and/or policy.
Highlighted Articles Page
Some news has greater potential implications for NMU students and/or the NMU community. The highlighted stories at this link are included in the comprehensive list, but are pulled out on a page to help folks at NMU find the most important and useful news reports with local implications.
Recent Articles July - December 2025
A comprehensive list:
Professors consider leaving UT over academic freedom concerns
November 17, 2025
at The Daily Texan at https://thedailytexan.com/2025/11/17/professors-consider-leaving-ut-over-academic-freedom-concerns/
Texas A&M Requires Approval for Courses That ‘Advocate’ Certain Ideologies
Many faculty members decried the new restrictions on race- and gender-related courses as an assault on academic freedom. Meanwhile, the board also discussed a once-per-semester systemwide course review process.
November 13, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/academic-freedom/2025/11/13/texas-am-requires-approval-courses-advocate-certain
Also:
Texas A&M System Sharply Restricts How Faculty Can Teach About Race and Gender
November 13, 2025
at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/texas-a-m-system-sharply-restricts-how-faculty-can-teach-about-race-and-gender
New Emails Show What Happened Before a Texas A&M Professor’s Firing
October 31, 2025
at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/new-emails-show-what-happened-before-a-texas-a-m-professors-firing
How Universities Are Responding to Trump’s Compact
The document would require signatories to make sweeping changes to policies and practices. A number of institutions have already said no, and more responses are expected.
October 24, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/government/2025/10/24/how-universities-are-responding-trumps-compact
also:
Reading Between the Lines on Compact Responses
Universities that rejected the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education emphasized merit in their responses and highlighted core values in turning it down.
October 24, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/governance/executive-leadership/2025/10/24/reading-between-lines-compact-responses
What Did the University of Virginia Agree To?
One legal expert told Inside Higher Ed that the flagship institution essentially agreed to be bound by what was nonbinding guidance.
October 24, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/government/2025/10/24/what-did-university-virginia-agree
University of Houston Cancels ‘Confronting Oppression & Injustice’ Course
The course’s axing is yet another example of curricular censorship at Texas public universities.
October 23, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/curriculum/2025/10/23/university-houston-cancels-oppression-justice-course
‘Because I Said So’: Universities Double Down on Unwritten Policies
A growing number of institutions are censoring faculty speech and instruction through murky verbal directives that sow fear and confusion. Can they be enforced?
October 22, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/academic-freedom/2025/10/22/unwritten-policies-sow-faculty-fears-are-they
Banned Books Week in the Time of Repression
We need to build an alliance that crosses all boundaries and realize that unless we all stand together to defend everyone against censorship, we will all be vulnerable.
October 6, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/opinion/columns/debatable-ideas/2025/10/06/banned-books-week-time-repression
Can You Say ‘Transgender’ in a Texas Tech Classroom? The Answer Is Complicated.
October 1, 2025
at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/can-you-say-transgender-in-a-texas-tech-classroom-the-answer-is-complicated
Texas University System Bans Talking About Trans & Nonbinary Identities
“I’m emotionally shellshocked right now,” one professor told the New York Times.
September 29, 2025
at Jezebel at www.jezebel.com/texas-university-system-bans-talking-about-trans-nonbinary-identities
The Research Trump Hates
In a hyper-politicized environment, scientists who study vaccine hesitancy, gender identity, and climate change are seeing federal funding cut or under threat.
September 24, 2025
at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/podcast/college-matters-from-the-chronicle/the-research-trump-hates
Doxing Campaign Endangers Faculty and Free Speech
Dozens of faculty and staff have faced online harassment and threats for their comments on Charlie Kirk’s death. Some universities have disciplined employees in response to political pressure.
September 19, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/academic-freedom/2025/09/19/right-wing-doxing-campaign-endangers-faculty-and
Kent State professor’s ‘Twitter tirade’ — not bias — caused opportunities to be revoked, court finds
The professor lost out on a leadership role and lighter teaching load due to their online behavior, not because of retaliation, the three-judge panel ruled.
September 18, 2025
at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/twitter-tirade-kent-state-professor-discrimination-lawsuit/760310/
Texas A&M President Steps Down Under Pressure
Mark Welsh resigned Thursday after state lawmakers accused the university of pushing “leftist DEI and transgender indoctrination” on his watch.
September 18, 2025
at Higher Ed Dive at www.insidehighered.com/news/governance/executive-leadership/2025/09/18/texas-am-president-steps-down-under-pressure
Energy Department withdraws controversial Title IX athletics rule
The department’s efforts, which could have been a trial run for other agencies to set education policy, were stymied by public opposition.
September 12, 2025
at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/energy-department-withdraws-controversial-title-ix-athletics-direct-final-rule/760071/
Was an Instructor’s Firing a Violation of Academic Freedom? Or an Example of ‘Academic Responsibility’?
September 11, 2025
at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/was-an-instructors-firing-a-violation-of-academic-freedom-or-an-example-of-academic-responsibility
Texas A&M fires professor after viral video, raising free speech concerns
The termination came the day after a state lawmaker shared the clip and accused the professor of perpetuating “DEI and LGBTQ indoctrination.”
September 10, 2025
at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/texas-am-fires-professor-after-viral-video-raising-free-speech-concerns/759774/
Also:
2 Texas A&M Administrators and Professor Out After Viral Video
Video circulated by Texas state representative shows student accusing English professor of teaching material related to gender identity and violating Trump’s executive orders. State officials pressured the university to fire the professor involved.
September 10, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/academic-freedom/2025/09/10/texas-am-professor-and-administrators-out-after
Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk Killed at Utah Valley University
Kirk was a driving force behind the modern conservative movement on college campuses. Utah’s governor called his death “a political assassination.”
September 10, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/students/safety/2025/09/10/turning-point-usa-founder-kirk-killed-utah-valley-u
See also:
Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and Trump ally, dies after shooting at Utah campus event
September 10, 2025
at CNN at https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/10/politics/charlie-kirk-obituary
Students Report Less Tolerance for Controversial Speakers
Amid Trump administration attacks on free speech, more students—predominantly conservatives—say they don’t think controversial speakers should be given a platform on campus.
September 9, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/students/free-speech/2025/09/09/tolerance-controversial-campus-speakers-declines
Va. AG says Roanoke College discriminated against female athletes by allowing trans swimmer on team
School previously pledged to maintain fairness in sports, support LGBTQ+ community and student athletes
August 25, 2025
at Virginia Mercury at https://virginiamercury.com/2025/08/25/va-ag-says-roanoke-college-discriminated-against-female-athletes-by-allowing-trans-swimmer-on-team/
Judge strikes down Minnesota dual enrollment program’s ban on faith statements
Two Christian colleges sued the state over the 2023 law, arguing it infringed on their religious freedom.
August 25, 2025
at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/judge-strikes-down-minnesota-dual-enrollment-ban-faith-statements/758539/
Education Department uses Skrmetti case to bolster Title IX policy
Though the Supreme Court decision doesn’t directly involve education civil rights law, it’s being cited to exclude trans students from athletics and facilities.
August 21, 2025
at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/education-department-skrmetti-title-ix-policy/758140/
UGA removes sexual orientation, gender identity from non-discrimination policy
Federal judge declines to block Alabama anti-DEI law
The ruling deals a blow to the college faculty and student plaintiffs who argue the legislation violates free speech rights by restricting classroom instruction.
August 14, 2025
at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/federal-judge-declines-block-alabama-anti-dei-law/757737/
and
Judge Keeps Alabama’s Anti-DEI Law in Place for Now
August 15, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2025/08/15/judge-keeps-alabamas-anti-dei-law-place-now
Gender Data Would Be Off-Limits Under Proposed NIH Policy
August 12, 2025
at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/gender-data-would-be-off-limits-under-proposed-nih-policy
Iowa board reworks anti-DEI course policy proposal following pushback
The original language sought to restrict the state’s three public universities from requiring classes that teach “substantial content that conveys DEI or CRT.”
August 8, 2025
at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/iowa-board-reworks-anti-dei-course-policy-proposal-following-pushback/757219/
Trump issues directives on college admissions data and research grants
Together, the orders set up the administration to exert more control over who institutions enroll and which grants are funded.
August 7, 2025
at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/trump-orders-college-admissions-research-grants/757166/
Wagner College Reaches Agreement With ED on Trans Athletes
August 4, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2025/08/04/wagner-college-reaches-agreement-ed-trans-athletes
New Trump Administration Memo Tells Colleges Which DEI Efforts It Might Consider Illegal
July 31, 2025
at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/new-trump-administration-memo-tells-colleges-which-dei-efforts-it-might-consider-illegal
Justice Department Declares DEI Unlawful
The nine-page memo builds on the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
July 30, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/government/2025/07/30/doj-declares-slew-dei-practices-unlawful-memo
See also:
Justice Department threatens federal funding for colleges over DEI policies
The agency targeted a sweeping set of practices at federally funded institutions, from race-based scholarships to diversity statements.
July 31, 2025
at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/justice-department-threatens-federal-funding-colleges-dei-policies/756510/
Conservative Group Requests Materials for Over 70 UNC Courses
The Oversight Project, founded by the Heritage Foundation, is using an open records request to search for terms like “DEI” and “gender identity.” Faculty say it encroaches on academic freedom.
July 29, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/academic-freedom/2025/07/29/conservative-org-requests-materials-70-chapel-hill
22 new state laws censor higher ed, PEN America finds
The bills, which were enacted during the first half of 2025, “have been just as devastating” as federal attacks on the sector, the free speech group said.
July 28, 2025
at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/pen-america-state-laws-censor-higher-education/754122/
Can Right-Wing Students Deliver a ‘Death Blow’ to the Democratic Party?
Times Higher Education got an earful from conservative students and Republican luminaries alike at this year's Turning Point USA Student Action Summit in Tampa.
July 25, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/students/free-speech/2025/07/25/scene-turning-points-usa-student-action-summit
College Employees in Kansas Can’t List Pronouns in Emails
Lawmakers in Topeka, like those in some other state capitals, used a budget bill to order nonfinancial changes to public higher ed. DEI was the target this time.
July 24, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/diversity/sex-gender/2025/07/24/kansas-colleges-say-employees-cant-list-pronouns-emails
Judge pauses Mississippi’s DEI ban at public colleges and schools
Accounts from educators and students fearing discussion of certain topics signal “possible widespread suppression of speech,” the judge wrote.
July 22, 2025
at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/judge-pauses-mississippi-dei-ban-public-colleges/753757/
Baylor Returns Research Grant Related to LGBTQ+ Issues
July 14, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2025/07/14/baylor-returns-research-grant-related-lgbtq-issues
The Scientists Who Got Ghosted by the NIH
Under Trump, their grant applications disappeared. What now?
July 8, 2025
at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/the-scientists-who-got-ghosted-by-the-nih
Will the next Supreme Court term close the transgender athletic debate?
A pair of cases could establish precedent on whether transgender student athletes can compete on teams aligned with their gender identity.
July 9, 2025
at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/idaho-west-virginia-supreme-court-transgender-athletes-case-bpj/752532/
How Trump Uses the DOJ as Tool of ‘Fear-Mongering’
The Department of Justice has traditionally focused on regulatory compliance in academe, but now it’s weaponizing civil rights law to force ideological alignment, experts say.
July 7, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2025/07/07/trump-deploys-justice-dept-ramp-attacks-higher-ed
Supreme Court to Hear Case Involving Trans College Athlete
July 7, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2025/07/07/supreme-court-hear-case-involving-trans-college-athlete
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Cases Involving Transgender Athletes
The court announced it would hear challenges to state laws barring transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports.
July 3, 2025
at The New York Times at www.nytimes.com/2025/07/03/us/politics/supreme-court-transgender-athletes.html
Trump Admin. Reportedly Restores Federal Funding to Penn
July 3, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2025/07/03/penn-gets-funding-back-after-agreeing-trumps-demands
Punished for Following the Rules
President Trump’s campaign against accommodations for transgender students is targeting colleges that had tried to comply with federal law.
July 2, 2025
at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/trumps-campaign-against-trans-students-is-punishing-colleges-for-following-the-rules
Penn Agrees to Trump’s Demands, Will Strip Trans Athlete’s Awards and Apologize
The Education Department accused the Ivy League institution of violating Title IX by allowing a trans swimmer to compete on the women’s team.
July 1, 2025
at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2025/07/01/penn-agrees-trumps-demands-will-strip-trans-athletes
Penn revokes Lia Thomas’ records, bans trans athletes under Trump administration deal
July 1, 2025
at The New York Times The Athletic at www.nytimes.com/athletic/6467404/2025/07/01/trump-lia-thomas-transgender-athletes-penn/
Penn Agrees to Limit Participation of Transgender Athletes
In a deal with the Trump administration, the University of Pennsylvania will not allow transgender women to participate in women’s sports.
July 1, 2025
at The New York Times at www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/us/penn-title-ix-transgender-swimmer-trump.html
UPenn updates swimming records to settle with feds on transgender athletes case
July 2, 2025
at NPR at www.npr.org/2025/07/02/nx-s1-5454369/upenn-swimming-records-feds-transgender-athletes
UPenn to ban trans athletes after probe stemming from swimmer Lia Thomas
July 1, 2025
at BBC at www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4yy4dv2dyo
UPenn reaches agreement with Trump administration on transgender athletes and erases Lia Thomas’ records
July 1, 2025
at CNN at www.cnn.com/2025/07/01/us/upenn-transgender-women-sports-lia-thomas
Penn agrees to deal with Trump admin on trans athletes, removes Lia Thomas records
July 1, 2025
at The Hill at https://thehill.com/homenews/lgbtq/5380157-penn-trans-women-sports-upenn-trump-mcmahon-lia-thomas-ncaa-title-ix/
January - June 2025 articles
August - December 2024 articles
January - July 2024 articles
July - December 2023 articles
January - June 2023 articles
August - December 2022 articles
January - July 2022 articles
All news reports are linked with URLs that are functional at the time of posting. Publications reporting on higher education are favored, but other periodicals are included as well. Some may require subscription to access the full text. NMU subscribes to The Chronicle of Education, so on-campus users should be able to open those links. Inside Higher Ed requires logging in after a few articles have been accessed; registration is free. For assistance accessing Chronicle or other articles, please contact Olson Library.
For questions, comments, or suggestions about this resource, contact Dan Cullen.