Full video of my 3/28 TribLive conversation with University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa and Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. 

At this morning's TribLive conversation, University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa and Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp talked about the per-student decline in state funding of higher education and whether excellence is achievable on a lean budget.

South Texas health leaders say they've waited long enough to establish a medical school in the Rio Grande Valley. But they've got some major hurdles to cross to get from blueprints to bricks and mortar. 

Texas A&M University officials say that a plan to outsource support services would help the university raise $260 million in the next 10 years. But staff members who perform those services are expressing concerns.

John Sharp, the new Texas A&M University System chancellor, is out to privatize services at the main campus in College Station.

Chancellor John Sharp is preparing for a massive privatization of services at Texas A&M University, from food service to grounds maintenance. But officials say that does not mean employees need to worry about their jobs.

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.

Why do Texas colleges hire former lawmakers to run the show? It's because the key trait for a new chancellor is the ability to attract money, both from donors and from the Legislature.

At this morning's TribLive conversation, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp talked about the school's recent decision to bolt the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference.

At this morning's TribLive conversation, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp defended the state law allowing college-bound children of undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition.

Gov. Rick Perry's go-to problem solver, Jay Kimbrough, could have chosen a more inconvenient time to take out his pocket knife in response to his firing from the Texas A&M University System, whose flagship university is Perry's alma mater. But maybe not much more.

Aaronson analyzes TWIA claims and lawyer fees, Aguilar talks border security and voter ID with Chuy Hinojosa, Grissom on the latest inmate exonerated via DNA evidence, Hamilton interviews John Sharp on higher ed and the SEC, Murphy interactively maps the changes wrought by redistricting, Philpott on who's running Texas while Rick Perry is out campaigning for president, Ramsey on Perry's history of off-the-cuff remarks, Ramshaw on Perry's childhood years in Paint Creek, Root on Perry's extraordinary first week on the trail and Tan on even more ways Texas will change on Sept. 1: The best of our best content from Aug. 15-19, 2011.

Though former Comptroller John Sharp, the newly named chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, has logged many years in public service, Sharp said he’s heard that the politics he’s about to encounter in academia “are 10 times worse.”

On this week's TribCast, Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben discuss Perry coverage by the national media, John Sharp's move to the Texas A&M University System and coming changes to public education. 

Former Comptroller John Sharp was named the sole finalist to be the next chancellor of the Texas A&M University System by the Board of Regents this afternoon. He won't officially have the job until after a state-mandated 21-day waiting period.

John Sharp, a longtime Democratic officeholder who is a friend and former classmate of Gov. Rick Perry's, could be the next chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, sources told the Tribune Friday afternoon.

Rick Perry has forged a coalition of economic, religious and social conservatives that helped him become the state's longest-serving governor, poised to run a national race.

Democrats may have a shot at the seat being vacated by Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, according to a new poll from Public Policy Polling, a left-leaning polling firm.