Today, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) expressed its strong opposition to the impending appointment of Texas Senator Brandon Creighton to Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. Sen. Creighton’s long record of harmful legislation is aimed at undermining higher education, including measures to restrict academic freedom, free expression, and equitable learning opportunities on Texas’ college campuses. These bills have also disproportionately impacted Black communities, other communities of color, and other historically underserved communities.
During his tenure, Sen. Creighton has repeatedly authored and supported deeply concerning measures. Notably, Sen. Creighton was the lead sponsor of Senate Bill 17, passed into law in 2023, which targets diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and threatens the civil rights protections of all students, faculty, and staff on Texas’ public college and university campuses. A chancellor serves as head of the entire system of schools and wields power to dictate the programs, courses, and school activities that are permitted and financially supported. As a result of Sen. Creighton’s legislation, chancellors now also dictate what is prohibited in the classroom, control what professors teach, and create the campus culture that welcomes and supports only some students. Sen. Creighton’s radical agenda is deeply controversial and there is no indication that a term as the Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System will be any different.
LDF Director of Policy Demetria McCain issued the following statement:
“For years, Sen. Creighton has played an instrumental role in advancing legislation, including SB 17 and SB 37, that censors teaching, cuts resources, and dismantles student support systems at Texas colleges and universities. His record shows a profound disregard for the core principles of higher education and intent to weaken its essential role in providing opportunities for Texans.”
“Brandon Creighton’s tenure in the Texas Senate demonstrates a consistent pattern of hostility towards higher education, raising serious concerns about what he would do if granted broad authority over the Texas Tech University System in the position of Chancellor. His legislative history shows not only a willingness—but determination—to erode civil rights protections and advance a regressive, exclusionary agenda. We unequivocally oppose the consideration of Senator Creighton to this appointment and urge the governing board of Texas Tech University System to reject any proposal recommending him to this position. We call on the university and other institutions to choose leaders who strengthen higher education, protect civil rights, and foster opportunity for all students, including Black students and other students of color.”
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Founded in 1940, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is the nation’s first civil rights law organization. LDF’s Thurgood Marshall Institute is a multi-disciplinary and collaborative hub within LDF that launches targeted campaigns and undertakes innovative research to shape the civil rights narrative. In media attributions, please refer to us as the Legal Defense Fund or LDF. Please note that LDF has been completely separate from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1957—although LDF was originally founded by the NAACP and shares its commitment to equal rights.
