Women are Listening to Message of TAMU Regents— After 57+ Years, Women Are Back to Zero

After 57 years, when Texas A&M First “went fully coeducational,” yesterday’s actions by the TAMU Board of Regents basically reverted the status of women akin to a “limited basis” conditional enrollment of study. Today, women of all ages are listening very closely to what Texas A&M administration, at all levels, is saying via their decision to end Women’s and Gender Studies as a major, to cease offering curriculum and bachelor degrees in these majors.

Yesterday, in addition to cancelling six (6) unidentified classes and granting exemptions to 48 of them, TAMU Provost Alan Sams said, “…the university is ending the Women’s and Gender Studies program to comply with system policies…including the ‘difficult decision’ to begin winding down the Women’s and Gender Studies academic programs, including the BA, BS, Graduate Certificate and the Minor.”

“Effective immediately, students will not be able to enroll in these curricular options.” The communique is from Texas A&M Senior Executive Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Cynthia Werner, notifying faculty for Women’s and Gender Studies that Interim President Tommy Williams has closed the program.

The goal of Women’s and Gender Studies was advertised in the TAMU course catalog as “attractive to employers looking for recruits trained in: critical thinking, organizational skills, reading, writing, and presenting.” Further, “specialists…find opportunities in counseling, health care, media, and social work…also excellent preparation for engaging in public policy, law and education in science fields.”

Deciding to end these degrees and course offerings affects both women and men who studied these subjects as well. Such actions comprise deep censorship and squelching of academic freedom. Discussing topics does not imply indoctrination.

That’s the fatal flaw of most obliteration of “things different from you” in courses of study: the fear that if one studies something, immediately a person will adopt a philosophy, path, pattern, or behavior they read about.

It does not harm anyone to study this subject matter, despite the fears of those who are uninformed.

Some of the discontinued classes (taken directly from the online TAMU catalog) include:

WGST 207 Introduction to Gender and Society

Historical and cross-cultural perspectives on women's roles in culture, the workplace, the family and other socio-political institutions; the social construction of gender; sexuality and racism; social control mechanisms and ideologies.

WGST 213 Gender and Health

An examination of social and historical context of health in the U.S., including inequities in health by gender, race, class and gendered issues in health professions.

WGST 300 Psychology of Women

Theoretical and research literature relevant to psychological assumptions about the female personality; challenges to and verification of these assumptions by recent experimental studies.

WGST 303 Psychology of Women of Color

Interdisciplinary theories to study the unique yet intersectional experiences of women from different racial groups, ethnicities, nationalities and cultural backgrounds; scholarly research from the diversity science field; contemporary topics that have developed in a global context; examination of complex issues, which affect women of color across the lifespan.

WGST 315 The Marriage Institution

Courtship, engagement, marriage, family formation, personal adjustment, conflict, financing and child rearing.

WGST 316 Sociology of Gender

Sociological explanations of status differences between men and women; cross-cultural comparisons; gender role socialization, cultural stereotypes, discrimination; gender roles and status in the family, economy, religion, science, other social institutions; deviance, victimization and gender; recent social changes.

WGST 330 Women in Ancient Greece and Rome

Survey of women in classical Greece and Rome; emphases on female occupations and family relationships, legal and political status, traditional values, notorious women, how women were viewed and how they viewed themselves.

WGST 334 Women’s Health

A broad range of health issues that are either unique to women or of special importance to women; information for the health consumer; preparation as an advocate of healthy lifestyles; awareness of the role health plays in the life of all women.

WGST 367 Women in Government in Comparative Perspective

Examination of women's representation in government based on comparison across multiple nation-states; focus on legislative and executive branches of democratic governments.

Other class offerings in the curriculum deal specifically with LGBTQ+ issues. The mere mention of the acronym causes some a kneejerk reaction and potential claim that Texas A&M is indoctrinating students to “this way of life.”

This is frequently followed by the proclamation that such teachings are “woke.” Learning and critical thinking are personal choices.

The word “inclusion” has become an epithet spewed from some speakers as though it were a contagion. In polite society, including someone meant making sure no one was left out, as that does cause harm, all other things being equal.

One has only to walk across the TAMU campus and take in the art, music, books in the library, catch an OPAS show or BVSO concert, University Orchestra program, Century Singers, and Singing Cadets concert, and performances on Kyle Field from the inimitable Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band to know what levels of culture have been amassed here for the purpose of learning to appreciate art for art’s sake.

Yet, no one asks whether some of the art was created by members of what is today known as the LGBTQ+ community. It would appear hypocritical to patronize, appreciate, laud, and honor various works of art as masterpieces, paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for their collections, to book a show, or to perform musical works, and then not want to allow one’s young people to study about the artists because of their potential lifestyle categorization.

TAMU Regents failed to consider long-ranging repercussions of their latest decision. The current Board includes members of two majority categories (visit their online bios):

Robert L. Albritton, Jay Graham, David Baggett, John Bellinger, James R. “Randy” Brooks, Michael A. “Mike” Hernandez III, William “Bill” Mahomes Jr., Kelley Sullivan Georgiades, and Sam Torn with student regent Jaquavous S. Doucette.

These same regents are responsible for:

November 2025—"a policy requiring campus presidents to sign off on courses that could be seen as ‘advocating race and gender ideology or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity.”

December 2025—" TAMU Regents voted to ban “most discussions of these topics in introductory or core curriculum classes. Exceptions could be made if administrators determined the material serves a necessary educational purpose.”

January 2026—"Cancellation of the ethics and public policy course taught by Dr. Leonard Bright of the Bush School of Government and Public Service.” Dr. Bright had been teaching this course for over 15 years here.

January 2026—Ending the Women’s and Gender Studies program to comply with system policies…"including the ‘difficult decision’ to begin winding down the Women’s and Gender Studies academic programs, including the BA, BS, Graduate Certificate and the Minor.”

The email came from the female Texas A&M Senior Executive Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Cynthia Werner, not the male Interim University President Tommy Williams. No called meeting of faculty, no discussion with students presently enrolled in these degree majors, only an edict.

Besides freedom of speech, the university leadership and professors specifically are to have academic freedom, per the guidelines of the American Association of University Professors.

From the AAUP website:

“Advancing and protecting academic freedom is the AAUP's core mission. Academic freedom is the indispensable requisite for unfettered teaching and research in institutions of higher education. As the academic community's core policy document states, ‘Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good and not to further the interest of either the individual teacher or the institution as a whole. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition’ (1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure, which has been endorsed by more than 280 national scholarly and educational associations).”

Finally, on January 30, the announcement came: TAMU Regents are “looking to begin semiconductor institute construction this year” at the RELLIS campus. Semiconductors represent an industry filled with visiting scholars from all over the world, specifically individuals who are in Texas on H1-B visas, many of whom are women.

Governor Abbott has ordered a freeze on H1-B visas at state agencies and launched an investigation about “bringing in high-skilled workers from other countries.”

One cannot properly address H1-B visas without reviewing the language on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration website as to the classification of nonimmigrants: “This nonimmigrant classification applies to people who wish to perform services in a specialty occupation, services of exceptional merit and ability relating to a Department of Defense (DOD) cooperative research and development project, or services as a fashion model of distinguished merit or ability.”

The cost of Texas A&M today has skyrocketed in the past decade. For those whose parents are paying tuition, one projects that many years of savings and sacrifices went into amassing the expenses for four years of tuition, fees, books, room and board. This does not include parking, sports passes, entertainment, and vacations for spring and summer breaks. Many students sit out a year while working to save who are paying their own tuition. They acquire massive debt in student loans to finish their degrees. One rightfully expects value for their sacrifice.

Many were not aware until today: Yale University is offering free tuition for those whose family income does not exceed $200,000. The “best and brightest” minds might well choose Yale over A&M, or any other school where academic freedom flourishes. Female scholars and future leaders who might have once chosen to attend or teach at Texas A&M or other state schools will be lost to any schools not governed by state politics.

Diversity is the key to an intelligent population. Discussion is the key to finding (equal) solutions. Decisions are made by collective intelligence of a group (inclusion). As a wise professor of educational administration once said, “No one person is as smart as all of us.”

Women are watching. Women are discussing. Women are deciding.

TAMU Regents: What exactly are you saying to welcome women today and for the future?

Women are listening—and so are their parents, spouses, brothers, husbands, children, and friends—all of whom spend money here. It’s not just Texas watching; the country is aware: check the AP Wire.

[Photo licensed and used courtesy of kieferpix]

Thanks for the Memories, to Roscoe, Our Little Buddy

His name was Roscoe, as Jocelyn explained when she called. It was the Friday before Halloween weekend almost two years ago now, when the phone rang. On the line was my dear neighbor, who’d been the one to pair me up with Molly, the rescue we took home from Navasota right before a nasty rainstorm was due to hit in Halloween weekend in 2021. What is it about Halloween? Both times, the call brought treats, not tricks.

The offer was sweet—would I consider fostering a little chihuahua/rat terrier until we could find him a forever home? She had me at chihuahua and sealed the deal with rat terrier as I’d been the keeper of four chihuahuas in my life, none of them the nervous, yippy kinds, and all of them named Pepe. Jocelyn explained that her Aunte Marie had previously had two pups and that Roscoe’s sister Macie had recently passed and that Roscoe was grieving, not eating, and her aunt’s work schedule demanded more time on site and, hard as it was for sweet Marie to let go of Mr. Roscoe, he needed a new home. I was just supposed to foster a little while. I agreed immediately, without consulting Molly.

As I waited for them to arrive, I explained to Molly that she needed to be on best behavior, and trusted she would be. The door opened, Jocelyn and Marie walked in and Marie placed him into my arms. We looked at one another and not another utterance of “foster” was heard. He arrived with a cute t-shirt for his bed ‘scent,’ and we had some sweaters ready thanks to Lil Homie, Jocelyn’s previous pup. We had a nice leash ready as well. Molly sniffed but mostly watched me fall in love, and she figured out she’d follow suit. Now Roscoe was 11.5 years old, according to his vaccination record, and that was a surprise.

Molly is only about 6 or 7-ish. Arthur, Jocelyn’s doggie, is timeless, and the best behaved/good example of the lot. Roscoe was built low to the ground, so his length far outdistanced his height. He couldn’t jump up on the bed the way Molly could, to Molly’s delight. I outfoxed her, though, and picked Roscoe up and scooped him up beside me. That went okay for one night, but Roscoe preferred being closer to the water bowl than me and nature took over.

Doggie day care and night care and weekend care represent a collective effort between three people and let’s just say that we’ve got a fantastic routine and everything has operated like clockwork for two years as the pups have play dates, vet bills, shampoos, teeth brushing and treat time.

I’ve done what I can when I can and brought in (approved, tested out) treats. Jocelyn and her hubby, Philip, and our former neighbor, Jimmie, have a regular play date for her dog, Sandy, with Molly and Arthur. That was perfect for my bonding “me time” with Roscoe. We had long talks, sometimes; other times we went for a ride, and he appreciated the singling out.

Occasionally he’d greet Jocelyn at the front door, indicating his interest in “walkies,” and God bless her, she’d leash him up and they’d make the block once and she redropped him off, just so he could participate like the big dogs. It made him feel important, too. I was always happy to see him back first so I could sneak him an extra little dog treat without censure from the other two.

Now when it came to protecting the homestead, his bark was mighty and were I a miscreant with bad intentions, I’d give second, and third, thoughts to harming me or the hearth. Sometimes I’d tell Molly to “knock it off” and it was Roscoe pitching the fit, ha.

Not all trespassers were unwelcome; others were simply in need of little, or no, scrutiny. Aunt Patti had a permanent pass and the deer were not allowed in the front yard without censure; you would not have wanted to be here they day they accessed the flower beds by the front window. No sonic boom was as harmful as the “ghostly trio” barking their heads off until the deer got done.

Roscoe was a fun and funny little man. He was set in his ways but was considerate of my need for focus while working. Although I’m a multitasker, I might go a few minutes before noticing one of his three water bowls was empty…and he’d simply walk over and hit the side of the bowl with his leash until I noticed and then we made eye contact. After I apologized for his inconvenience, I set things right again, after laughing at how smart he was and how dumb I was.

Oh, and don’t take his diminutive size (compared to Molly or Arthur) as a sign you could stiff him on treats either. One, one, and one…and an occasional extra piece of someone else’s if he could stealth it away…he tested Molly’s patience regularly, but Arthur was so generous he never put up a fuss (which earned Arthur many out-of-sight treats when the other two were not looking).

Molly M. Norma Ada Josh Axl Jones-Wakefield

Arthur Jones

Roscoe Sifuentes Jones-Wakefield

I was the one who benefited the most because the “little one” was my speed as I got stronger in muscle stamina after a health challenge. We understood one another’s limitations and loved each other for them. He remained at the computer desk with me, under my feet, as long as I was there, and I mean a good, long stretch many nights.

Then, he’d relocate if I did, found his place at night, on his little blanket on the floor next to my bed, within arm reach for a good head pat at night.

I was never alone when they were with me…and when I say “never,” I mean it. Bathrooms were not sacred to them. In fact, when I got in the shower, Roscoe would take up residence on the bathmat where I’d be stepping out upon conclusion of the shower…and once I knocked on my own shower door (3 times like Sheldon, ha), he’d stretch, move, and allow my egress.

The last 22 months have flown by. They say chihuahuas are good for children with health challenges, particularly breathing. My “Mr. Pepe #1” is a testament to that fact—given a litany of congestion and bronchial infections as a child, with Pepe in my bed, I slept like the proverbial baby, as we fell into a breathing rhythm together.

This time around, my own health mimicked Roscoe’s as we were both challenged at times trying to get stronger walking. Together we were patient, we were determined, and we were unified that we would get better. Together, we did.

Lately, Roscoe became a water seeker…drank every drop in the bowl for several weeks…and I just knew something was up. In these final weeks, he’d look deeply into my eyes and stare and I knew. We had some good chats during those times. He was not a cuddle bug but he sat close enough to my feet to sit on them and monitor my ups and downs.

How you approach these final days during what a short time is already? With gratitude and grace. I had the gratitude, and he had the grace. Animals give us unconditional love and forgive our multitude of omissions or lack of consideration when it’s “their turn” for thought.

It was not only in his living but in his passing that my faith was deepened and strengthened, which I’ve needed more than most people these last months especially, and you know what I mean if you know me well. Love unspoken by our animals is just as powerful as the verbal profferings of humans who try to get it right. We all make mistakes but our animals give us unconditional devotion and supply humor continuously by allowing us to focus on big and little things to break fixture on the greater weights of the world.

When it came time for him to transition into the next world, Jocelyn and I discussed it and agreed. Ironically, my vet was shorthanded and I had to wait 3 days until I could get in, even if I was seeking relief for the little man. Taking a cue from my North Zulch prayer partner, Ms. Mary Lee, when I knew there was no one praying contrary, I asked the Lord to take him home so he would not suffer yet one more day until “appointment time.”

As Roscoe looked up at me, I knew he knew, and I loved him gently and thanked him for being with me these past almost two years and for all the love. I sent a prayer upward and included my thanks to his original Mommy for sharing him with us these final years, a gift grander than any you can imagine.

I fell asleep at my computer desk mid-afternoon. About an hour later, I woke up and Roscoe was nowhere in sight…after a brief search, without calling his name, because I knew…I found where he’d gone in the house to transition to the next place. Confident that my Mom had him now, I smiled, for the first time in weeks it seemed.

There were still gifts ahead…

Aunte Marie agreed that we could bury him next to his cratemate on her property and in 100F heat, Jocelyn and Philip crafted the most beautiful grave for him. With shovel and pickax, killing their backs and down on their knees scooping up excess dirt…the little man had a final resting place suitable for royalty.

Arriving on the property from the farthest site across, three beautiful donkeys traveled over to supervise and witness the proper farewell.

I’d already said my goodbyes and for once I had nothing to say at graveside, ironic for a life celebrant. Jocelyn did the farewell beautifully and the donkeys and Molly and Arthur were the attendants in attendance. Peaceable kingdom indeed.

It was solemn but not sad. There was a crafted small gravestone with his name and the date, sealed in a Ziplock to protect the ink/color from fading in rain and tied with a ribbon securely to mark the spot. All was right in the world again, as Roscoe rejoined his beloved cratemate, Macie.

Love was everywhere throughout these past two years….allowing adoption, giving time, energy, devotion, and thought to including a new little life into an established routine. The name Roscoe is strong and sure, and so was his approach to his life. His full name is, and remains, Roscoe Sifuentes Jones-Wakefield and it’s a long name, but he is a forever memory in our hearts and a constant source of peace and comfort as we try to stay optimistic and positive, whenever we are surrounded by negativity and chaos.

This was my second “failed foster” experience, and I laugh to think I could ever foster without falling in love instantly. Molly and Arthur made it through their first day okay. Arthur barked early and long this morning (we do roll call and announce the names of all those present) as a small ritual…and this was our first Monday without him “here.”

If these walls could speak, though, one might beg to differ. Roscoe’s love shared during his time on this block remains indelibly here, and in our hearts. God bless you, little buddy, and as Bob Hope sang it best (and as dear friend reminded me should be Roscoe’s theme song, too), thanks for the memories, and most of all the love, little man. Every day we get stronger.

Lessons Learned When We Let Go

It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years to the day that we held my mother’s funeral. I can truly say that I have no earthly idea where the time has flown. My days since that day have been filled with many joyful events, great occasions, exciting adventures, and some important lessons learned, despite my best efforts not to have to learn anything else, ha.

For those who knew how close my Mom and I were all of our lives, it stumped a few of my dear friends how I could be so seemingly calm and moving forward without grand remorse or grief or periods of depression that come so very naturally to anyone who sustains a loss. As those who knew my Mom would know, however, she had a plan for that time, and she devised a good one. It came with a great deal of thought, planning, and a laundry list a mile long of things I was to do instead of grieve. Mama always had a plan and that’s saying something when her daughter was built to challenge even the most patient and saintly among women.

My mother had the early life experience of losing someone she dearly loved to World War II. He had been her true kindred spirit, soulmate, and yet…he didn’t return from the war and her life made its first change in plans as she built a future without him. Years later she would meet and marry my dad, and for eight years that worked just fine. Eventually that went the way of past tense and she and I built a new life, one without regret, but not without hardship.

Through every obstacle, challenge, and hardship, never once did I hear her complain. She only showed me the power of prayer, over and over again. It wasn’t something overt and showy…it was silent and reverent and results-getting. I started following suit. Direct prayer and watching what happened afterwards was a lesson in itself. When I say things were tough, believe me, they were. Imagine the 1960s where women couldn’t have a credit card in their name, when it was next to impossible to get credit for a purchase, just layaway existed for those without ready cash.

How she managed to put me through Keystone on a secretary’s salary, I later calculated should have been impossible…but then you’d have to know Mama. So many sacrifices she made and never once did she announce or reveal them. My education meant the world to her as she never got to finish college. She had to help keep the family going during her young adult years as the country was indeed in the middle of war.

Her heart was amazing for her family—she would do anything for them even when they might not have ever thought of her as anything other than “the strong one.” Her example left me an amazing playbook to follow for my life. I often fail miserably but when I do it turns out I’ve turned inward for intelligence rather than seeking the wisdom of the Lord to move forward.

I’m catching on, some 20 years later. One of her favorite expressions was “You can’t outgive God,” although I swear to you she seemed to be able to do just that. She cared so much for everyone and she was insistent I be an active participant in her caregiving. Often, I was her appointed agent for do-gooding and believe me I wasn’t always a cheerful giver.

For example, the time where I was scrambling to get all her meds, foods, and supplies in for her so that I could be gone for a two-day consulting project out of state. I’d been near collapse finishing my checklist and then she announces to me that I needed to go and vacuum our next-door neighbor’s floor for her, because she wasn’t up to it and it would make her feel better (the neighbor).

My protestation that the lady had an adult son living there for whom she cooked three meals a day who could vacuum for her fell on deaf ears. I went over and vacuumed, to the appreciation of my neighbor, who reciprocated in kindness for years and years, traveling to see Mom when we moved away from next door, and calling her daily on the phone, another lifeline. Mama was right. Even after Mom died, the neighbor would call me to tell me that when they sang “Amazing Grace” in church that morning, she thought of Mom, was such a welcome gift.

I was frequently in shock as to where she thought I might come up with the free time that she thought up for me to do this or that. Still, she persisted, and I chose not to buck her. I trusted her and loved her is why. Plus she was charming and funny and witty and you couldn’t help but agree with her. Most of the time.

When Mom passed she had been able to live with me for all but the last three months of her life and the folks who cared for her at the nursing facility saw me three times a day/night/overnight. I knew all the shifts of those who cared for and about her and the staff were all precious. I had been able to prepare for Mom’s final days here with me, thanks to a big sister friend who had sitters for her parents, and I was able to secure the services of many of those same angels and they were amazing. It was not easy but we all created a happy and pleasant working environment with Mama being priority one. The sitters were family to us, not sitters and they filled the pews at church when she passed.

The choir was amazing, the choir director, also a deacon, gave a beautiful message, and over three pews were filled with the family members of my big sister friend, who’d gifted me with her family to share time with for 22 years. Longtime friends filled the other pews and I felt humbled and lucky to receive their support, kindness, and love. I never once felt alone. Time passed and the family I'd been able to share time with was growing, and relationships took different directions, and it became time for me to fly solo, but the love there remained unchanged.

In the past 12 years since, life has been nothing short of amazing. When you have been anchored in faith all of your life, and you’re admonished by your mother never to doubt in the power of God, everything else just seems to fall into place.

It has been anything but easy. I have numerous regrets but I don’t allow them time in my head. I note them and move on, lest I torque Mom off for wasting precious time on Earth. I was admonished to stay away from her gravesite as “I’m not there so don’t go out there thinking you are going to find me for a chat.” Instead, I was to think of her with flowers on my table and talk to the bouquet instead. Flowers continue to find their way to my table, courtesy of precious neighbors and friends who just seem to know when I need them.

Twenty years is the blink of an eye. In 20 more it will be 40 years since that time, and then what? I can’t wait to see what life will be like then, and even later beyond. I’d love to live to age 100 and see what technology has to offer us. iPhone 68 perhaps? We’ll see.

In the meantime, Memorial Day is on its way, and we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country…we have celebrations in their honor and memory and we wear a buddy poppy, Mom’s favorite, in their memory.

To love someone truly means to be able to let go and give them back to Heaven when the time comes. It’s not in my time, or yours, but as my friend Marcia often reminds me, it’s in “God’s own perfect time” and it is always the right time.

One of the reasons I became a Life Celebrant and Tribute Writer is to help people tell their stories of what life was like while they were here. What and who was important to them and key in their lives in helping them to accomplish their goals and achieve their dreams. Hard work, dedication and devotion are all that are required. The rest is just a matter of prayer, and time. It’s not all that I do, not by a long shot, but it is one of the things that I do in the course of my life today. And it is an honor and a privilege.

Go call someone you love and tell them you were just thinking of them. It will bring a smile to you both. “Let go, and let God.” Mama said so. P.S. Of the many gifts that Mom gave me, one was an oil painting of Cher that she did for me because she knew what Cher meant to me as I was a teenager growing up. It just so happens that today is also Cher's birthday, and she is currently celebrating her 79th birthday, with gusto no doubt. It's why I still love her. She defies age and defines life at its fullest. I adored calling Mom my "inhouse artist." You wouldn't believe what else she painted for me. That will be for another time and post.