Texas Southern University president retires after two years on the job
Lesia Crumpton-Young said she is leaving TSU to help elevate historically Black colleges and universities on the national stage. Full Story
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Kate McGee is an Austin-based enterprise and investigative reporter. She joined the Tribune in October 2020 as a higher education reporter. She was a three-time finalist for the Education Writers Association's Beat Reporter of the Year award, winning the title in 2024. She was also a Livingston Award finalist for her coverage of the University of Texas at Austin. Before the Tribune, she spent nearly a decade as a reporter at public radio stations nationwide, including in Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Austin; Reno, Nevada; and New York. Kate was born in New York City and primarily raised in New Jersey. She earned her bachelor's degree from Fordham University.
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![Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, 13th President of Texas Southern University.]()
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Bill banning trans athletes from competing on certain college sports teams goes to governor
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said he would support legislation prohibiting transgender men from competing on men’s college sports teams and transgender women from joining women’s college athletic teams. Full Story
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![A runner prepares for the start of a race at a track meet in Mansfield, Ohio on May 23, 2023.]()
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UT-Austin tried to hire a game theorist for its new free-enterprise think tank. He turned down the job because of fights over tenure.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants to eliminate tenure, but his attempts have impacted the institute he helped create. Full Story
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![The University of Texas at Austin campus.]()
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Future of university tenure in Texas likely will be decided in last-minute negotiations
The Texas Senate wants to ban tenure. The House gave initial approval Monday to a bill that would instead enshrine tenure policies in state law. After final passage, the two chambers have a week left to come to a compromise. Full Story
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![Signage outside the student union at the University of North Texas campus in Denton on May 08, 2020.]()
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Texas bill would preserve UT-Austin’s admissions policies if U.S. Supreme Court strikes down affirmative action
State lawmakers passed legislation that would ensure the UT flagship can continue to cap the number of students it automatically admits because of their academic achievement at 75%, giving the university room to accept other students using different criteria. Full Story
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![The University of Texas campus on December 19, 2018.]()
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A ban on Texas public universities’ diversity offices inches closer to becoming law
Republicans are at odds on whether to advance, contest or even toss out the House’s amended version of the bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices. Full Story
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![Students on the University of Texas at Austin campus on Nov. 29, 2021.]()
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Texas poised to fund community colleges based on student outcomes
Supporters of the measure said it will help the colleges better prepare students for the workforce. Full Story
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![ACC Riverside campus on Feb. 27, 2019.]()
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With clock ticking on legislative session, Texas Democrats delay debate on university tenure bill
The Senate wants to eliminate tenure altogether while the House seeks to enshrine it in state law. The two chambers have until May 26 to come to an agreement. Full Story
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![Students walk across the campus at Sam Houston State University on Aug. 20, 2020, in Huntsville.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House passes bill restricting the college sports teams transgender athletes can join
Senate Bill 15 would allow people to sue colleges or universities they believe violate a prohibition on trans athletes’ sports participation. Full Story
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![Swimmers compete in the Region VIII-5A Swim Meet at Corpus Christi ISD Natatorium on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Texas.]()
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House signals readiness to fight Senate over bills to ban tenure, diversity efforts at Texas universities
Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin, pledged to defend his legislation dialing back Senate bills that would eliminate tenure and ban diversity, equity and inclusion offices. But faculty and students say even the House versions will hurt higher education. Full Story
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![UT Austin grad student Lee Kravchenko participates in a chant during a sit-in for the protection of academic freedom and DEI at the Capitol on Mar. 23, 2023.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang/The Texas Tribune