Students and Faculty Speak Out Against Plan to Dissolve Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department
UTSA plans to consolidate its Department of Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies into the Department of Bicultural Bilingual Studies effective Sept. 1, 2026.
University officials say the merger is structural for now and will not immediately change courses, advising, or staffing.
Students and faculty affiliated with the department released a public statement warning the move could weaken African American Studies, Mexican American Studies and gender studies programs.
Dissolve the Plans
The change comes amid broader restructuring across the University of Texas System as institutions navigate statewide scrutiny of diversity, equity and inclusion related programs.
Those affiliated with the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies (REGSS) department are speaking out against plans to dissolve the department as a standalone academic unit.
The response comes after UTSA confirmed it will consolidate the department into the Department of Bicultural Bilingual Studies beginning Sept. 1, 2026.
University leaders say the move is primarily administrative and will not immediately affect faculty positions, courses or advising structures. However, faculty involved in the program say the decision raises broader concerns about the future of ethnic studies and gender studies programs at the university.
In a statement released this week, faculty warned that the restructuring eliminates the department itself even if individual programs remain.
“The restructuring eliminates REGSS as a standalone department, shifting its academic offerings and faculty lines under BBL [Bicultural-Bilingual Studies],” the statement said.
While courses and degree programs may continue, faculty said the decision marks the end of the department as a distinct academic entity at UTSA.
ICYMI: SAISD Superintendent Announced Retirement
Department Houses Several Academic Programs
The Department of Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies, often referred to as REGSS, was established in 2020. The department houses three undergraduate majors including African American Studies, Mexican American Studies, and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies.
According to faculty, the department has served as an interdisciplinary hub for scholarship and community engagement connected to issues of race, identity and social justice.
“The REGSS Department has served as an interdisciplinary academic home for Mexican American Studies, Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and African American Studies programs.”
In addition to undergraduate majors and minors, the department supports graduate certificates, faculty research projects and partnerships with community organizations across San Antonio.
Faculty Emphasize Cultural and Community Importance
Faculty say the programs housed in the department play an important role not only academically but culturally within the region.
“These programs hold significant historical, social and cultural importance in San Antonio and Texas more broadly.”
Faculty also pointed to strong student interest in the courses offered through the department. “Our students actively seek out our classes which foster community, belonging and leadership,” the statement continued.
The department has also supported research collaborations and community engagement initiatives across San Antonio.
“Community members seek our expertise and strong record of community engagement to cultivate research collaborations in service of San Antonio and the broader region,” reflecting UTSA’s mission as a public research university serving South Texas.
A Call for Institutional Investment Instead
Rather than dismantling the department, REGSS students and faculty argue the university should invest additional resources into strengthening the programs it houses. “Rather than dismantling academic units in the name of resource optimization, REGSS requires serious institutional commitment and concrete material support.”
Faculty say that sustained investment would allow the department to expand research, teaching and community engagement work. “Failure to do so would be a grave disservice to UTSA students, San Antonio, and the larger society,” the statement concluded.
Consolidation Comes Amid Statewide Changes
UTSA officials have said the consolidation will help streamline operations within the College of Education and Human Development.
In a Jan. 16 message to faculty and staff, Dean Mario Torres said the merger would help improve resource management within the college. “At this time, no changes to faculty or staff positions, reporting structures, or job responsibilities are planned,” Torres wrote.
The decision comes as race and gender focused programs face increasing scrutiny nationwide.
Since returning to office, Donald Trump’s administration has moved to dismantle federal diversity initiatives. The U.S. Department of Education has warned institutions that DEI related programming could affect access to federal funding streams including Title IV student aid.
Gay, File)
Across Texas, universities are also navigating state legislation targeting diversity initiatives.
In 2023, Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 17 banning public universities from operating DEI offices and restricting certain diversity related programs. The law took effect in January 2024.
While the legislation does not prohibit teaching courses about race, gender or ethnicity, universities across the state have undertaken reviews and structural changes affecting academic programs.
Similar Changes Across the UT System
UTSA’s consolidation also mirrors recent changes elsewhere in the University of Texas system.
Earlier this month, leaders at the University of Texas at Austin announced plans to consolidate several departments, including African and African Diaspora Studies and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, into a newly structured academic unit.
Faculty at UTSA say the decision to dissolve REGSS raises broader questions about how ethnic studies programs will be supported moving forward.
“It is troubling to observe this trend at the UT system level,” the statement said, “which raises questions about how Ethnic Studies and Gender Studies programs will be represented, resourced and sustained moving forward.”
What Happens Next
University officials have not yet released details about what the consolidated department will be called or how leadership will be structured. For now, UTSA officials say courses, advising and degree requirements for students enrolled in the affected programs will remain unchanged.
However, faculty and advocates say the long term future of the programs remains uncertain as universities across Texas continue to restructure departments tied to diversity and identity focused scholarship.
