Texas AG Paxton Investigates University of North Texas Over Alleged DEI Violations

The investigation stems from an undercover video featuring a Field Education Coordinator from UNT's Social Work Department who allegedly explained how DEI concepts are still taught in classes without using explicit DEI keywords or titles. According to Paxton's office, the staff member implied there are ways university personnel "get around" state law to continue promoting what the AG termed a "woke agenda."

"The DEI ideology has been a calamitous way that radical leftists have pushed a woke agenda in our educational institutions," Paxton said in a statement. "Texas law is clear that these DEI policies have no place in our state-funded institutions. Last year, UNT leadership refused to do anything in the face of left-wing terror being celebrated by radical students. Now, its own staff appears to be flaunting the breaking of state law to push radical DEI ideology."

Paxton sent a formal letter to the Dean of the College of Public Affairs and Human Sciences demanding an explanation of the claims made by the Field Education Coordinator and a detailed statement on UNT's compliance with Texas law. The AG is also requesting all DEI policies and guidance from the university, details regarding DEI in accreditation standards, and correspondence between UNT leadership and staff regarding DEI activities.

The investigation follows Texas legislation that prohibits state-funded institutions of higher education from engaging in specified diversity, equity, and inclusion activities. The law represents part of a broader conservative push to eliminate DEI programs from public universities across Texas, with similar measures enacted in other Republican-led states.

"This should result in immediate termination. Texas deserves better than a UNT leadership that systematically allows the worst elements of the radical Left to run its campus," Paxton stated, calling for the social work coordinator's dismissal.

This marks the second time in recent years that Paxton has investigated UNT. Last year, his office probed the university for allegedly refusing to take disciplinary action against students who celebrated what he called the "political assassination" of conservative speaker Charlie Kirk and threatened violent acts against other students.