Marc Musick, the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Liberal Arts associate dean of student affairs, makes the case in a new faculty productivity report that his institution provides “an incredible return on investment for the state.”

Not every sector of higher education in Texas looks out at the current landscape with concern. Some private, for-profit institutions see opportunity.

On this week's TribCast, Ross, Reeve, Brandi, and Jay review the latest criminal justice headlines, consider the difference between news and gossip in light of the latest Herman Cain developments, and explain what's going on with redistricting.

Despite shrinking state support, University of Texas at Arlington president Jim Spaniolo signaled on Tuesday that his school would not raise tuition in the upcoming 2012-13 academic year. It could be just a temporary respite, however.

Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich, two Tea Party favorites for the GOP presidential nomination, came to Rick Perry's home turf. But in an event that was more dialogue than debate, they had little to say about Perry and the other Texan running for the White House, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.

Eight weeks after he was put in charge of the Texas A&M University System, Chancellor John Sharp is shuffling the top staff, hiring management consultants to streamline the administration and cutting his own pay.

As the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, which have operated as one institution for 20 years, prepare to separate, major questions concerning logistics and governance remain to be answered. 

This week on the TribCast, Ross, Reeve, Ben and Jim pore over the new UT/TT poll, review Gov. Rick Perry's viral video, and consider the recent statements of Speaker Joe Straus.

Legislators and other concerned groups are preparing for a thorough review of the conflict of interest policies — or lack of policies — that apply to regents of the state’s public university systems.

Nearly 62,500 more students enrolled in colleges and universities in Texas this fall than did in 2010, according to preliminary enrollment data released by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board today.

This week on the TribCast, Evan, Ross, Reeve and special guest Ana Marie Cox review Rick Perry's week so far, including his birth certificate "joke," his campaign shake-up and his flat tax proposal.

The same state law that allows illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at Texas universities also allows some to be given publicly funded grants to pay for their education.

The House's interim charges are out, starting with instructions to everyone to consider ways to improve the state's manufacturing capability and increase the "transparency, accountability, and efficiency" in state government.

House Speaker Joe Straus has released the interim charges that will direct the work of the lower chamber's legislative committees for the next 11 months — and lawmakers will be busy. 

This week on the TribCast, Ross, Reeve, Kate, and Emily discuss the recent GOP debate, drought and wildfire preparedness, and the future of Texas higher education.