Check out how each public university in Texas would fare under the House and Senate budgets.
Matthew Watkins
Matthew Watkins began serving as editor in chief of the Tribune in September 2024. He is a Texas native, born in Houston and raised in Austin. He attended Texas A&M University and has spent his entire professional career in Texas journalism, including stints at The Eagle in Bryan-College Station and The Dallas Morning News. Matthew joined The Texas Tribune in 2015 has held various roles, including higher education reporter, breaking news editor and politics editor. He has helped guide the Tribune's award-winning journalism that has included coverage of six legislative sessions, multiple election cycles, natural disasters and political scandals. He lives in Austin with his wife, Susan, and their two children.
Posted in
Higher Education
Proposed higher education funding overhaul could come with collateral damage
Initiatives to boost small businesses and help poor students get through college could lose their funding amid the Senate’s attempt to fix how the state pays for higher education.
Posted in
Higher Education
Veterans tuition program would see only minor changes under bill approved by panel
The House Higher Education Committee approved a bill Wednesday that would largely preserve the benefit of free college tuition to veterans or one of their kids.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
UT-Austin police on stabbing spree: “This was not a conspiracy”
Police said the student who stabbed four people on the University of Texas at Austin campus didn’t appear to be targeting anyone in particular.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT police search for motive in student’s stabbing spree
Police said they don’t know why a junior biology major stabbed four other students on the University of Texas at Austin campus, killing one.
Posted in
Higher Education
Attempts to overhaul Hazlewood veterans tuition program are losing steam
A change of heart by a powerful lawmaker and vocal opposition by veterans groups have imperiled hopes for a major overhaul of Texas’ free tuition program for veterans and their kids.
Posted in
Higher Education
A&M Chancellor Sharp asks regents to delay extending his contract
Citing “goofy rumors,” Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp has asked that a vote on his contract extension be delayed.
Posted inHigher Education
Ballpark Figures: Dive into the finances of Texas college athletics
We’ve updated our “Ballpark Figures” app with 2015-16 data on revenues and expenses for the eight public Texas universities that play in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Posted in
Higher Education
A&M System Chancellor John Sharp poised to receive a contract extension
Texas A&M University System regents are expected to consider a contract extension for Chancellor John Sharp next week. A majority of the board says it supports the idea.
Posted in
Higher Education
Lawmakers want to rein in Texas universities — four years after gutting their oversight board
Some Texas lawmakers have complained that universities seem to be taking on ambitious projects that don’t serve the needs of the state. Lawmakers gave them that power back in 2013.
