Texas A&M Cancels Controversial DEI Conference Trip

Texas A&M University has canceled a conference trip after backlash from Texas Governor Greg Abbott regarding its exclusionary policies. The PhD Project’s Annual Conference was intended for students identifying as Black, Latinx, or Native American, explicitly prohibiting White and Asian participants, which Abbott deemed a violation of Texas law and the U.S. Constitution. Conservative activist Christopher Rufo highlighted the university's actions on social media, claiming it supported racial segregation and misused taxpayer funds. In response, the university asserted that it does not discriminate based on race and acknowledged that the conference did not align with state law. Despite the cancellation, the event aimed to promote diversity in doctoral studies, citing evidence-based practices for increasing representation. The incident underscores ongoing tensions surrounding diversity initiatives in Texas higher education after the passing of Senate Bill 17, which bans DEI programs.