Baylor could lose millions of dollars as the Big 12 Conference works to make sure that the school has properly responded to its sexual assault scandal.
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
Senate approves new UT System regents 29-0
The Texas Senate approved three new University of Texas System regents, even though some Democrats complained about the board’s lack of diversity.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas families are struggling to pay for college — but so is the state
Rising tuition is making it hard for parents and students to pay for college in Texas. But state funding is strained, too. So where will the money come from to grow enrollment and elevate Texas universities?
Posted in
Health care
Texas Gov. Abbott’s statewide hiring freeze comes with some exceptions
Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday imposed an immediate hiring freeze on state agencies through the end of August. His office said Tuesday that the Department of Family and Protective Services is among those exempted from it.
Posted in
Higher Education
Lawsuit alleges even more rapes by Baylor football players
A federal lawsuit filed against Baylor University on Friday claims 31 football players at the school committed 52 acts of rape from 2011 to 2014, which is far more than had been previously disclosed by university officials.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas Supreme Court rules against UT Regent Wallace Hall in records case
The quest by University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall to win access to confidential student records is over. The Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday that Hall had no standing to sue the chancellor of the system he oversees.
Posted in
Higher Education
Senators slam UT System, say communication has been lacking
At a Texas Senate committee hearing Thursday, new UT System regent appointees got a friendly reception. But there was criticism of those running the system.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas university leaders warn of dire consequences if Senate budget is implemented
In a day-long hearing, university presidents and chancellors said their schools might have to lay off faculty and cut classes if hundreds of millions of dollars worth of “special items” aren’t put back in the budget.
Posted in
Higher Education
With Senate moving quickly on UT regent confirmation, Hall asks for more time
One day after Gov. Greg Abbott appointed three new University of Texas System regents, the Senate has scheduled a confirmation hearing. One of the regents being replaced, Wallace Hall, is asking the Senate and Abbott to slow the process down.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas colleges fret about $1 billion in expected funding missing from budget plan
Schools say they rely heavily on “special item” appropriations for higher education. The Senate hasn’t appropriated any so far, but it could add them later.
