Texas A&M University fired Professor Melissa McCoul after a student secretly recorded her teaching a college lesson that mentioned more than two genders. The video went viral after a state lawmaker shared it on social media. Days later, despite no formal complaints and no violations of state law, the university fired her.

Now, a faculty appeals panel has unanimously concluded what many already feared. Texas A&M did not have good cause to fire Professor McCoul and failed to follow its own due process policies. The panel found that she was never told to change her course content, never warned about any violations, and was denied the chance to respond before being dismissed. The university also failed to investigate the student who disrupted the classroom and violated recording policies.

This was not a fair process. It was political retaliation.

Professor McCoul’s lesson did not violate any law. Her firing followed public pressure from politicians, including posts by Governor Greg Abbott calling for her removal. Texas A&M claims she was let go for straying from a course description, but the timing tells a different story. Her dismissal came after outside interference, not because of misconduct or student complaints.

We call on Interim President Tommy Williams to reinstate Professor McCoul immediately and affirm the university’s commitment to academic freedom. We also urge the Texas A&M Board of Regents and state leaders to stop using higher education as a political weapon.

Students deserve classrooms where ideas are explored, not silenced. Professors deserve protection from targeted political attacks. And Texans deserve universities that value truth over fear.

Sign this petition if you believe teachers should not be fired for doing their jobs and if you stand for academic freedom in Texas.
 
 
 Photo: Texas Tribune