Faculty at Texas Tech reported widespread curriculum adjustments tied to system directives restricting teaching about race, sex, gender and sexuality. A Faculty Senate survey reported that nearly half of respondents changed course content without being asked, and additional faculty said administrators requested changes or courses were canceled, affecting hundreds of classes. The disputes followed memos from the Texas Tech University System chancellor, including guidance tied to a two-sex framework and a course-content review process for certain topics. Faculty described fear, damage to academic freedom, and concerns about recruiting and student learning as compliance pressure increased. University system officials pointed to the course review process as more reliable than self-selected survey feedback, while faculty leaders framed the survey as documentation of a “chilling effect” from administrators’ actions and unclear communication. The episode highlights how governance and compliance regimes can reshape academic decisions at the classroom level.