Texas is enforcing its laws without apology. Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to issue an immediate cease-and-desist order against the so-called Texas American Muslim University at Dallas, or TexAM, an unauthorized operation in the Dallas suburb of Richardson.
The entity has been marketing and enrolling students in degree programs—including master’s degrees in Artificial Intelligence and bachelor’s programs in computer science, IT, cybersecurity, and health informatics—without any state approval.
It billed itself as “the first university in the USA to offer STEM degree programs embedded with mandatory courses in Islamic Studies.”
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board delivered a formal cease-and-desist letter on Thursday, demanding that TexAM “cease advertising, offering, and enrolling students in degrees or programs of study” and stop using protected terms such as “university.” The letter states in part:
In order to operate or grant degrees in Texas, a private postsecondary educational institution is required to hold a Certificate of Authority issued by the THECB pursuant to Chapter 61, Subchapter G of the Texas Education Code. TexAM has never been granted a Certificate of Authority to operate in Texas; therefore, TexAM is prohibited by law from granting or offering to grant degrees. A person or entity’s non-compliance with Chapter 61, Subchapter G, subjects them to criminal punishment, administrative penalties, and liability for civil penalties and injunctive relief (Tex. Educ. Code § 61.316-319). Furthermore, non-compliance is a violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and subjects the person or entity to the criminal and civil liability imposed under that act (Tex. Educ. Code § 61.320).
It also notes that unauthorized use of the term “university” carries its own criminal liability under Texas Education Code § 61.313. The institution was given until Friday to confirm in writing that it had “voluntarily, permanently, and immediately ceased” all prohibited activities. Full letter here.
Hellbound and Down 