Midwest Chick's Place

So why are muslims so hot for Texas? They decided to open an institution call the Texas American Muslim University at Dallas (oddly enough acronymed as TexAM, which I’m sure was not deliberate to be cause any confusion or to be equated to Texas A&M, right?).

This unauthorized institution (we’ll just refer to it as a diploma mill) billed itself as a STEM-centered ‘university’ with 30% of its required curriculum being islamic studies.

However, in Texas, for an institution to legally disburse degrees, it has to have a Certificate of Authority from the state. And there are requirements to use the term ‘university’ as well.

So they got a cease and desist letter:

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).

Additionally, the use of a protected term such as “university” without a certificate of authority is a violation of section 61.313 of the Texas Education Code. Such a violation subjects a person to criminal liability.

TexAM’s advertising and postings via its website indicate that your entity publicly holds itself out as offering in the State of Texas STEM degree programs, including a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence and admissions to bachelor’s degree programs in computer science, IT, cybersecurity, and health informatics. TexAM, and all related entities, must immediately cease advertising, offering, and enrolling students in degrees or programs of study until it has applied for and been granted a Certificate of Authority. You must also cease and desist from using any protected terms immediately.

As a side note, Texas A&M also noticed the branding of this entity and have sent their own cease and desist.

The Republic of Texas is having to continuously play whack-a-mole with muslim encroachment. From cities to waterparks to diploma mills, they keep trying.