University of North Texas: Professor Denied Membership Organization Funding

On June 30, 2026, the University of North Texas denied funding to journalism professor Tracy Everbach for membership in the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), which was required for her to present research at an upcoming academic conference. While UNT had paid AEJMC membership fees in previous years, it now cited Texas’ SB 17, which prohibits contracting with third parties to perform DEI services, pointing to language in AEJMC’s bylaws saying that members work to cultivate inclusiveness. On July 17, Everbach explained to UNT that the bylaws are aspirational rather than mandatory and that she would comply with SB 17. On July 21, FIRE wrote UNT explaining SB 17 does not require the university to deny membership funding and that refusal to fund this membership constituted viewpoint discrimination.