Opioid lecture causes concerns on free speech

The fallout following Alonzo’s temporary suspension in March

By Mia Putham and Caleb Elizondo @aeoania @CalebElizondo7

On Tuesday, July 25, The Texas Tribune reported Texas A&M clinical assistant professor Joy Alonzo, PharmD, was suspended in March after remarking about Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his role in the opioid crisis during her lecture.

Alonzo, a well-respected expert in the pharmaceutical field and on the opioid epidemic, gave routine lectures on the opioid crisis at the University of Texas Medical Branch, or UTMB. In March, a complaint was made by a student in the audience, soon flagging her comments to higher-ups in the Texas A&M University System, according to The Texas Tribune. This controversy is especially tumultuous for A&M due to the investigation into the mishandling of Kathleen McElroy’s failed hiring and the stepping down of then-President M. Katherine Banks on July 21. National news sources have picked up the story of Alonzo’s suspension and censure after The Texas Tribune article showed evidence of Patrick directly texting with A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp about Alonzo’s comments.

“Joy Alonzo has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation re firing her,” the message from Sharp read that was sent to the lieutenant governor only hours after Alonzo’s lecture finished.

The Texas Tribune was also able to receive emails that Alonzo sent after her suspension, which detailed how a student close to Texas A&M leadership prompted the investigation. The Texas Tribune reported A&M confirmed the investigation was started by Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, a close friend of Sharp’s.

The internal investigation found no wrongdoing and Alonzo kept her job. However, on July 25, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee sent a letter to Sharp expressing concerns of political influence on faculty affairs and appointments.

Although Alonzo has been given her position back after an investigation by A&M into her comments during the lecture in March, the controversy has brought more national attention to outside political influence within A&M classrooms.

New policies enacted by the Texas legislature in the 2023 session have placed more restrictions on universities and their staff, notably including Senate Bill 17, which will ban diversity, equity and inclusion offices in public universities and Senate Bill 18. This instills regulations around tenure for professors.

The interactions between politics and universities, both within the classroom and the structure,