SMU’s bid to split from United Methodist Church over LGBTQ+ rights heads to Texas Supreme Court
Southern Methodist University in Dallas tried to declare its independence after the church voted to ban gay weddings and clergy in 2019. 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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![A sign at one of the entrances to the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas on Dec. 20, 2022.]()
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Texas professors self-censor for fear of retaliation, survey found
At least a third of respondents at UT-Austin, UT-Dallas and Texas A&M said they’re not sure administrators at their universities protect free speech on campus. Full Story
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![Cristian, a student protester, is dragged out from the crowd and arrested by law enforcement during a demonstration in support of Palestine at the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.]()
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Texas lawmakers are scrutinizing university professors’ influence. Here's how faculty shape their universities.
Faculty senates have long played a key role in developing curriculum and protecting open inquiry. State leaders have also accused them of liberal indoctrination. Full Story
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![The Texas A&M University campus.]()
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A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strapped
Regional colleges rely more on tuition revenue to operate than flagship campuses. Gov. Greg Abbott’s desire to pause increases could create tight financial conditions. Full Story
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![Students walk through campus on the first day of classes at the University of Texas at Arlington on Aug. 27, 2021.]()
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A year into the job, Texas A&M president performs balancing act with growth, tuition, faculty and state leaders
Staff relations continue to be important for Mark Welsh III as he rebuilds trust after a hiring controversy and universities brace for legislation targeting faculty senates. Full Story
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![Retired General Mark A. Welsh III, interim president of Texas A&M University, speaks at a press conference in the Flag Room of the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M campus in College Station, on Aug. 2, 2023.]()
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UT System expands free tuition and fees to all undergraduates whose families make $100,000 or less
The Board of Regents is lifting the income threshold to expand eligibility across all nine of its UT System campuses. Full Story
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Texas Tech wants permission to pay college athletes as a part of its recruitment efforts
State law prohibits schools from making direct name, image and likeness deals with athletes. Texas Tech says it puts them at a disadvantage as the university recruits athletes for fall 2025. Full Story
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![Fans watch Texas Tech's home coming game against West Virginia at Texas Tech University on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech Athletics has reduced attendance to 25% of the general seating capacity of Jones AT&T Stadium.]()
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UNT faculty slam university for removing references to race and equity in course names
Professors and instructors say the university is preemptively censoring itself after administrators removed references to race and equity in dozens of College of Education course titles and descriptions. Full Story
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![A student walks through the Library Mall at the University of North Texas in Denton on March 22, 2022.]()
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Texas names new higher education chief
Wynn Rosser will be in charge of guiding the state’s postsecondary education policies. He currently leads a foundation focused on rural East Texas and previously worked at Texas A&M. Full Story
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![Wynn Rosser, then CEO of the Greater Texas Foundation, during a symposium on higher education at Baylor University in 2015.]()
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Texas colleges pitch quick credentials as a first step toward higher wages. But students often fall off the path.
Short-term certificates can only take a few weeks to get but don’t always lead to better earnings or higher degrees. Full Story
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![Angela Ramirez poses for a portrait in Austin on Nov. 13, 2024.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune
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