ACLU Foundation of Texas
NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. IDRA
RE: Response Regarding 2026 TXST Black History Month Programming
Dear Representatives of the ACLU Foundation of Texas, NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc., and the IDRA,
The university is in receipt of your letter addressed to President Damphousse expressing concerns regarding Texas State University’s Black History Month programming for February 2026. As Vice President for Student Success, please consider this response to be on his behalf. We appreciate your advocacy for the importance of Black history, a commitment that Texas State shares and has long upheld.
Texas State University has a deep and enduring commitment to recognizing and celebrating Black History Month across our campuses. For decades, the university has supported robust educational, cultural, and commemorative programming that honors the contributions, resilience, and excellence of Black individuals and communities. This commitment remains unwavering.
We would like to correct a central factual misunderstanding reflected in your letter. The Black History 101 Mobile Museum event was not cancelled, nor was a finalized invitation rescinded. Rather, the museum was one of several programming options explored during the early planning stages for Texas State’s Black History Month 2026. As is customary, university departments and committees considered a range of potential vendors and programmatic approaches before finalizing a schedule. In this instance, the decision was made not to move forward with this particular vendor as part of the 2026 programming lineup.
That decision was made at the departmental level within Student Involvement and Engagement1 as part of committee-based deliberations conducted by the university’s MLK and Black History Month Planning Committee, which includes students, faculty, and staff. University senior leadership did not direct or mandate this decision. After thoughtful discussion, the committee elected to focus on a different programmatic approach, including a month-long exhibit highlighting Black history at Texas State University.
The university acknowledges that a prior communication to the museum’s representative incorrectly cited Senate Bill 17 as a basis for the decision. That statement was inaccurate, and the university apologizes for the confusion it caused. To be clear, SB 17 was not the basis for the programming decision, and the reference made in that communication does not reflect Texas State University’s interpretation or application of the law in this context. The Texas State University System, of which Texas State University is a component, has issued guidance on the implementation of SB 17, specifically referencing cultural celebrations and events such as Black History Month.2
The university’s MLK & Black History Month Planning Committee has developed a thoughtful and meaningful schedule of events3 for February 2026 that reflects the pride, resilience, and excellence of Black members of our Bobcat community. I have great confidence in our students, faculty, and staff that this incident will not overshadow their tremendous work or the importance of celebrating Black History Month on our campuses.
While the Black History 101 Mobile Museum was not selected for inclusion in the 2026 program, Texas State University values learning about a wide range of educational opportunities and will keep the organization in mind for possible future programming.
We appreciate the opportunity to clarify the facts and reaffirm Texas State University’s commitment to Black History Month programming. We appreciate your interest in the work taking place on our campuses.
Sincerely,
Cynthia L. Hernandez, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Success
xc: Kelly Damphousse, Ph.D. President