The University of Texas System’s Board of Regents unanimously approved the policy Thursday, which instructs faculty to provide syllabi that list course topics and follow that plan throughout the semester. Instructors covering controversial subjects are directed to take a “broad and balanced approach.”

The policy does not define what qualifies as “controversial” or what constitutes a “broad and balanced approach.” Board Chair Kevin Eltife said the vagueness was intentional, aimed at creating a rule suitable for the current politically charged environment. “We are in difficult times,” he said. “Vagueness can be our friend.”

Critics warned that the lack of clear definitions could pressure administrators to interpret the rule narrowly, potentially discouraging professors from teaching complex or sensitive material. Peter Onyisi, a UT-Austin physics professor, questioned whether administrators would be qualified to make those decisions or would simply avoid potential complaints from students.

Opponents also argued that limiting controversial topics could leave students unprepared for careers requiring engagement with complex social and political issues. Allen Liu, civil rights attorney for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, said the policy might lead to “viewpoint discrimination” and discourage instruction on subjects like slavery, segregation, and other aspects of Black history.

The new rule follows increased oversight from state-appointed regents and broader pressures on Texas public universities to address alleged liberal bias in classrooms. Similar policies restricting teaching on race, gender, and sexuality have already been adopted by Texas A&M and Texas Tech, though the UT System policy does not explicitly ban those topics.