St. Edward’s is one of a handful of universities across the country to require the COVID-19 vaccine for students and faculty on campus as schools prepare for a more normal college experience this fall.
Kate McGee
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.
Posted in
Investigations
Colt McCoy joined forces with rich UT-Austin alumni to help pressure university to keep “The Eyes of Texas,” latest emails show
The new emails reveal more powerful donors and alumni than were previously known who mobilized on the issue in June right after the student athletes went public with their demands to get rid of the song.
Posted in
Higher Education
Black lawmakers, NAACP and students push back on UT-Austin’s “The Eyes of Texas” report, urge school to lose the song
Members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus said they are “unequivocal” about their opposition to UT-Austin’s alma mater and have asked the university to reconsider getting rid of the song.
Posted in
Higher Education
Baylor University report recommends changing buildings and statues honoring slave owners but gives a pass to school’s founder
Some students this summer called for a statue of the founder to be removed from campus and for the university itself to be renamed.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Higher education officials urge Legislature to invest in colleges and universities after pandemic takes toll on students and economy
As the Legislature grapples with a struggling pandemic economy and the impact of an unprecedented winter storm, higher education advocates are vying for lawmakers’ attention, trying to make the case for more investment in colleges and universities.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT-Austin report links “The Eyes of Texas” to minstrel shows but not Robert E. Lee, says song is “not overtly racist”
In recent months, the song has divided the university community. Over the summer, students protested and petitioned the university to rid the campus of the song, which has ties to minstrel shows.
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Higher Education
Texas A&M engineering dean M. Katherine Banks named sole finalist for university president
If officially approved, Banks will become the second woman president of the flagship university in College Station.
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Higher Education
UT-Austin football players say they were forced to stay on field for “The Eyes of Texas” to appease angry donors and fans
The football players said the athletics officials, in a meeting with the players after the Oklahoma game, referenced emails from donors who said the protests could impact their job prospects after graduating.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Lawyer for Texas attorney general’s office repeatedly tries to block testimony and evidence at whistleblower hearing
A Travis County judge opted to move forward with Monday’s hearing without ruling on the motion to dismiss the whistleblower lawsuit. Late Monday night, an appeals court halted the second day of proceedings at the request of the agency’s attorney.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas universities promised action after summer’s racial reckoning. But they’re still reluctant to shed Confederate relics.
Students of color said they feel most of their calls to eliminate racist symbols from campuses have been ignored or intentionally mired in lengthy, bureaucratic processes intended to delay answers to difficult questions.
