DENTON — The University of North Texas denied funding for faculty membership and sponsorship costs related to the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication as of June 30, 2026. A memo from the University Integrity and Compliance Office stated that funding the association violates the Texas Education Code.

The memo alleged that the association violates a provision of the Texas Education Code prohibiting the promotion of differential treatment or the provision of special benefits based on race, color, or ethnicity. The memo was sent to journalism professor Tracy Everbach and at least five other journalism professors.

The university stated it does not fund or reimburse individual memberships in organizations when doing so does not comply with state law. It funds travel and registration expenses for faculty attending conferences that support their professional roles. The university also stated it does not prohibit any employee from joining organizations in a personal capacity. A new procedure for faculty to renew association memberships and apply for conference funding was introduced by the university.

Everbach submitted an open records request on July 2 seeking communications regarding the funding denial. She accepted a buyout from the university in the spring of 2026, and her employment ends on August 31, 2026. Everbach plans to attend the conference in early August in New Orleans and will pay for it herself.

From 2004 until 2026, the university paid for Everbach and her colleagues to attend the conference annually. Everbach and a colleague plan to present a student project titled "Amplifying the Voices of the Muscogee Creek Nation" at the event. "It's just a regular research conference," Everbach said. "The reason that we are going to the conference is to represent the university and present our research, which is required as part of our jobs."

A university statement indicated that while the process might prohibit university funding for certain organization memberships or sponsorships, the university could continue to fund travel expenses for faculty and staff to attend conferences that support their professional roles. Senate Bill 17, which restricts certain diversity, equity, and inclusion activities at public institutions, was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott and took effect in January 2024.