Latest Contributions

• A&M's firing of football coach Kevin Sumlin means another big buyout for a Texas school

  by Matthew Watkins Nov. 27, 2017

  Fired football coach Kevin Sumlin is entitled to about $10 million from Texas A&M University, according to his contract. Full Story 

• As international enrollment declines nationwide, UT-Dallas looks for ways to halt the slide

  by Matthew Watkins Nov. 24, 2017

  International student enrollment is declining at universities nationwide. At the University of Texas at Dallas, that's a particular concern. Full Story 

• College tuition in Texas is poised to climb slightly in 2018

  by Matthew Watkins Nov. 20, 2017

  Citing inflation and state funding worries, most public universities in Texas are raising tuition by a few percentage points for 2018. Full Story 

• University of Houston regents vote to create a medical school

  by Matthew Watkins Nov. 16, 2017

  University of Houston System regents voted unanimously Thursday to create a medical school. Now, they'll have to convince state leaders that it's the right move. Full Story 

• Fired in 2009, football coach Mike Leach still rages at Texas Tech and Texas law

  by Matthew Watkins Nov. 1, 2017

  Eight years after Texas Tech fired football coach Mike Leach, Leach is still fighting his old school for money he thinks he's owed. But a law protecting state entities from lawsuits is hampering his efforts. Full Story 

• Texas House Speaker Joe Straus says he will not seek re-election

  by Matthew Watkins Updated: Oct. 25, 2017

  Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, a San Antonio Republican, announced Wednesday he will not run for re-election. He did not rule out running for higher office. Full Story 

• Lt. Gov. Patrick asks Senate panel to study free speech on Texas college campuses

  by Matthew Watkins Oct. 24, 2017

  Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is asking Texas senators to study whether free speech rights are being infringed on college campuses. Full Story 

• Democratic lawmaker faces $3 million legal malpractice judgment

  by Matthew Watkins Updated: Oct. 22, 2017

  Texas state Rep. Sergio Muñoz Jr. owes a legal company nearly $3 million after a federal judge ruled against the Democratic lawyer from Palmview in a malpractice case. Full Story 

• Accrediting committee recommends no punishment for Baylor over sexual assault scandal

  by Matthew Watkins Oct. 20, 2017

  Baylor University's accreditation appears to be safe after a special committee investigating the school found that it was in compliance on a number of key issues. Full Story 

• Texas A&M Commerce offers $10,000 degree — but discourages freshmen from pursuing

  by Matthew Watkins Oct. 20, 2017

  At the urging of Gov. Rick Perry, Texas A&M University-Commerce developed an online degree program that can be completed for less than $10,000. So why doesn't it want its freshmen to sign up? Full Story 

• For former state Rep. Dunnam, Baylor is family — and now a legal foe

  by Matthew Watkins Oct. 13, 2017

  Jim Dunnam counts 26 Baylor University degrees in his family — and he worked for years on its behalf in the Texas Legislature. Now, he's suing the school on behalf of 14 women who were sexually assaulted while students. Full Story 

• As longtime UNT chancellor departs, inaction on student debt is his lingering worry

  by Matthew Watkins Oct. 5, 2017

  Lee Jackson, the retiring University of North Texas System chancellor, had a lot to say during a Tuesday interview about how he plans to stay engaged until the end — and beyond. Full Story 

• Texas A&M to host all five living former U.S. presidents for hurricane relief event

  by Matthew Watkins Oct. 4, 2017

  Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter will all attend a concert at Texas A&M University's Reed Arena on Oct. 21. Full Story 

• Hey, Texans: What has been your experience with college student housing?

  by Matthew Watkins Sept. 29, 2017

  The Texas Tribune wants to explore housing costs and learn how they are affecting college affordability in the state. We need your help. Full Story 

• Major Texas overhaul aims to improve the odds for students who begin college unprepared

  by Matthew Watkins Sept. 29, 2017

  In Texas, college students sent to remedial education usually don't make it far. A new state law that revamps how that education is provided hopes to change that. Full Story 

• How Tech's president juggles free speech and political polarization

  by Matthew Watkins Sept. 26, 2017

  Like many of his colleagues across the state, Texas Tech University President Lawrence Schovanec has felt pressure from both sides of the political spectrum. His response is to call for open dialogue between both sides. Full Story 

• Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice: Pulling out of Iran deal would be the "height of folly"

  by Matthew Watkins Sept. 23, 2017

  Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice said leaving the Iran nuclear deal would isolate the United States and do nothing to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. Full Story 

• UT fell short of its lofty graduation goal but lifted up its minority students in the process

  by Matthew Watkins Sept. 20, 2017

  The University of Texas at Austin set a goal to have 70 percent of its students graduate in four years by 2017. It fell short — but managed to lift up the prospects of its poor and minority students in the process. Full Story 

• UT-Austin changes automatic admissions threshold from 7 to 6 percent

  by Matthew Watkins Sept. 15, 2017

  Texas students who graduate in the top 6 percent of their high school class will earn automatic admission to the University of Texas at Austin in 2019. Currently, the threshold is 7 percent. Full Story 

• As A&M chancellor and hurricane recovery czar, John Sharp balances two intensely personal jobs

  by Matthew Watkins Sept. 13, 2017

  Former Democratic rising star John Sharp was already chancellor of the school he loves. Now, he's been tasked with restoring the region where he got his start. Full Story