Yetter Coleman LLP has joined the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas in representing a group of professors and the American Association of University Professors in a lawsuit against the Texas A&M University System, challenging a policy that has led to the removal of course materials and the cancellation of classes across the system’s 12 universities.
The suit, filed Aug. 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, challenges a censorship policy implemented in November 2025 that bars faculty from discussing certain topics related to race, gender and sexual orientation and requires extensive review of course syllabi.
According to the complaint, the policy has led faculty to remove materials such as the film “Moonlight” and writings by Plato from their syllabi and has resulted in the cancellation of courses including “Religions of the World,” “Introduction to Race and Ethnicity” and “Ethics in Public Policy.” The university’s women’s and gender studies program has also been shut down as a result of the policy, according to the complaint.
The complaint argues that the policy is unconstitutionally vague and violates the First Amendment by discriminating against certain viewpoints.
Yetter Coleman partner Jamie A. Aycock is leading the firm’s work on the case, along with partner Amy C. Farish.
“We’re proud to represent these professors challenging a censorship policy that betrays Texas A&M’s established legacy as an institution that supports free and open inquiry,” Aycock said in a press release from the ACLU. “At stake in this lawsuit is the bedrock First Amendment principle that America is strengthened by and depends upon open public debate, even on the most controversial topics. Nowhere is this more important than in our public academic institutions, which are charged with developing and teaching our future leaders to think critically and broadly about pressing issues affecting society.”
The plaintiffs are also represented by attorneys with the ACLU of Texas and the national ACLU.
A copy of the complaint can be found here.