Best University Watchdogs: Austin Students for a Democratic Society and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas

So very proud of Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) and Austin SDS for leading on the fight for academic freedom, opposing censorship, and defending the right to learn and the right to teach. It's wonderful that they were recognized by the Austin Chronicle, too.

Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D,


Best University Watchdogs

Austin Students for a Democratic Society and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas

It’s no secret that the University of Texas has continued to allow the polarizing ideology of the Republican Party to seep into the walls of the institution. But student organizers with the Austin chapter of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), who have a front row seat to the right-wing tilt, aren’t afraid to hold UT leadership accountable. In May, SEAT organized a string of mock funerals for UT, UNT, Texas Tech, and academic freedom on those campuses, complete with a horse-drawn carriage toting books and ashes. Austin SDS was quick to march against the consolidation of ethnic studies departments and under-the-table compacts with the Trump administration, and consistently defends the rights of student protesters. Both student orgs aren’t afraid to head to the Capitol with their demands, and demonstrate anew why free speech is essential on our university campuses.

instagram.com/austin.sds

studentsengaged.org