The University of Texas at Austin has announced the immediate termination of its Flags program, a cornerstone of its graduation requirements for the past two decades. The university will replace it with a skills-based educational model designed to better align with workforce demands, student flexibility, and public scrutiny around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The Flags program required undergraduates to complete coursework in cultural diversity, global cultures, ethics, quantitative reasoning, independent inquiry, and writing. The goal was to prepare students for civic life, critical thinking, and professional readiness. Despite this, the university announced Monday that it would end the program, stating that a new model will launch in fall 2026 under the name Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR). UT Interim President Jim Davis and Provost David Vanden Bout approved the move after reviewing early findings from a Flags Review Committee, which recommended shifting the focus toward program outcomes and industry-relevant skills. According to the university, the CLR will incorporate 36 skills spread across six core categories. These include:

• Communication

• Quantitative and empirical research

• Global and social awareness

• Creativity and innovation

• Leadership, ethics, and collaboration

• Critical thinking and problem-solving

In an interview with the Austin American-Statesman, Senior Vice Provost Art Markman emphasized that while the Flags program had value, it needed to evolve. He said the new approach will give students greater agency to choose which skills to acquire, reflecting both academic and employer feedback.

“This is really something that we see as helping to transform a university education,” Markman said. “We want to ensure our students are maximizing the value of their college experience by tailoring their learning toward real-world readiness.” He added that although DEI-related legislation was not the catalyst for this change, the timing coincides with growing legislative scrutiny over how public universities approach diversity. Lawmakers have introduced bills aimed at removing diversity-related core requirements, and Senate Bill 17, which went into effect in January 2024, banned DEI in hiring, support offices, and programs across Texas public institutions.

Although SB 17 explicitly exempted academic coursework and research, universities have increasingly felt pressure to realign with what state officials call the "spirit" of the law. Critics argue that these shifts open the door to government censorship and a dilution of liberal arts education, while supporters believe they help root out ideological indoctrination and refocus on job-oriented learning. At a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing, Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) questioned whether programs like UT’s Flags had value in the job market, pointing to other state schools like the University of North Texas and Texas A&M University that have already eliminated DEI-oriented minors and certificates.

During a UT Faculty Council meeting in March, faculty members questioned the urgency behind the Flags Review and the philosophical shift from knowledge production to skill acquisition. However, Markman emphasized that the CLR pilot, already in progress, aims to connect learning to tangible outcomes. The new curriculum framework will be dynamic, Markman said, with skills updated over time to reflect evolving workplace expectations. He stressed that the university still recognizes the importance of cultural awareness, global understanding, and ethics, but that these areas will now be infused throughout the curriculum rather than mandated through specific Flag courses. “The university continues to believe that an understanding of the world, an understanding of the global marketplace, and global society is crucial for the success of our students,” Markman said.

While UT’s state-mandated core curriculum remains unchanged, and degree plan requirements are still in place, the retirement of the Flags program marks a significant structural shift in how the university delivers education. The announcement coincided with the opening of fall course registration, ensuring that incoming and continuing students have time to adjust their academic plans. University leaders claim this transition is aimed at simplifying the path to graduation while enhancing educational transparency for both the public and potential employers. As debates about academic freedom and state oversight in higher education intensify across Texas and beyond, UT’s move is likely to be closely watched by educators, policymakers, and advocacy groups. The CLR model could become a blueprint for other institutions, or a flashpoint in ongoing discussions about the purpose and future of higher education.