Latest Contributions

• 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 

  Photo credit:  Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune

• 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 

  Photo credit:  Texas A&M University-Commerce

• 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 

  Photo credit:  Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune

• 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 

  Photo credit:  University of North Texas

• 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 

  Photo credit:  Official White House portraits

• 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 

  Photo credit:  Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune

• 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 

  Photo credit:  Callie Richmond

• 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 

  Photo credit:  Erich Schlagel for The Texas Tribune

• 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 

  Photo credit:  Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune

• 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 

  Photo credit:  Illustration by Nicolas Raymond / Todd Wiseman

• 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 

  Photo credit:  Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

• A&M and TCU climb, Baylor and SMU slip in 2018 U.S. News college rankings

  by Matthew Watkins Sept. 12, 2017

  UT-Austin edged out SMU and Texas A&M University surpassed Baylor University in the new U.S. News and World Report rankings of the best colleges in the country. Rice remains Texas' top-ranked school. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune

• In battered Houston apartments, residents wonder whether to stay

  by Matthew Watkins and Brandon Formby Sept. 7, 2017

  As Collingwood Gardens apartments' tenants weigh their options, Texas officials admit state funds to help displaced people are woefully inadequate and wait to see what aid package Congress approves. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune

• At University of Houston, Harvey's shadow looms as classes restart

  by Matthew Watkins Sept. 5, 2017

  After Hurricane Harvey led to cancelling a week of classes, the University of Houston re-opened Tuesday with a faculty and student body filled with people facing a wide array of challenges related to the storm. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune

• Battered by Harvey, Texas college students struggle to start class

  by Matthew Watkins Aug. 30, 2017

  Despite Hurricane Harvey, class has started at many universities across Texas. But it's been hard — and in some cases impossible — for students from storm-ravaged areas to return to normal life on campus. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune

• Harvey brings minor damage, class cancellations to Texas universities

  by Matthew Watkins Aug. 28, 2017

  Colleges in Houston and along the coast canceled classes and suffered minor damage from Hurricane Harvey. But major disaster has so far been averted. Take a look at how your university fared. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune

• A&M System moves to extend contract of Chancellor John Sharp

  by Matthew Watkins Aug. 23, 2017

  Texas A&M University System regents voted Wednesday to extend the contract of Chancellor John Sharp through 2023. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune

• UT System oil money is a gusher for its administration — and a trickle for students

  by Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal and Matthew Watkins, The Texas Tribune Aug. 21, 2017

  The fracking boom helped push the Permanent University Fund close to $20 billion, and every year the UT System gets a slice of that money to spend — but just a sliver goes to student financial aid. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune