“The Law Doesn’t Apply to Academics”: Texas State Administrator Admits DEI Continues Unchanged With Leadership’s Backing
May 4, 2026
Despite state and federal bans to halt Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in higher education, an undercover investigation by Accuracy in Media suggests business is continuing as usual at Texas State University.
Hidden-camera footage captures Gloria Martinez-Ramos, Director of the Center for Gender Studies, openly acknowledging that DEI-related coursework and programming remain firmly in place, largely untouched by recent legal changes.
When asked by the investigator how new laws are affecting DEI at Texas State, Martinez-Ramos was blunt: “The law doesn’t apply to academics.”
She went on to explain that while certain structures may have been adjusted, the substance of DEI has not changed. “In other words, the courses are still on, we’re still here… I still have academic freedom, professors have academic freedom. The academics are still there.”
According to Martinez-Ramos, faculty have simply adapted their language. “Just a little of the language has changed but not a whole lot,” she said. “You don’t call it a diversity statement—you call it your teaching philosophy.”
She further advised the journalist that course descriptions could still include DEI-aligned content under different terminology. “You could still say topics related to multiculturalism… Just don’t say diversity, equity, or inclusion.”
Shockingly, the footage suggests that leadership within Texas State are aware of these workarounds, and supportive of them.
“The president is supporting this,” Martinez-Ramos said, referencing Kelly Damphousse. “But nobody wants to make it public because then they will come down on him. Just keep it quiet.”
Recalling a conversation, Martinez-Ramos said her dean referred to those advocating for a colorblind approach to education as living in “fantasy and delusion,” adding, “They want us all to be vanilla!”
Martinez-Ramos made clear that core academic content remains unaffected. “That was the intent,” she said of the legislation, “but the language in the law doesn’t say you can’t teach critical race theory… feminist theory… intersectional theories.”
“These courses are intact.”
Martinez-Ramos then emphasized that DEI academic programming has been deeply embedded over decades. “We’ve been building this up for the last 20 years,” she said. “It’s hard for them to undo all this.”
Take action now by visiting DEIinTexas.com, where you can send one message directly to university trustees and state officials demanding accountability. No taxpayer should have to fund a school that defies federal and state law.