An era of disunity and controversy on the University of Texas System Board of Regents could soon be ending, as the most controversial member of the board Wallace Hall and his two closest ideological allies have been passed over for reappointment to the board.
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
Texas Senate leaders propose tuition freeze, elimination of financial aid program
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen. Kel Seliger, chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee, unveiled legislation Thursday that they said aims to lower costs for college students.
Posted in
Politics
Dan Patrick makes only one change atop Senate committees
Only one committee received a new committee chair in the Texas Senate. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, will chair the Senate Administration Committee.
Posted inState Government
UT Regent Hall’s attorney faces tough questions in Supreme Court hearing
University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall’s attorney argued before the Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday that he should be allowed to see confidential student admissions records that the UT System chancellor has denied him.
Posted in
Politics
Texas lawmakers focus on friendship on legislative session’s first day
With pomp and circumstance inside the Capitol and protests and prayer rallies outside it, the Texas Legislature kicked off its 85th session on Tuesday.
Posted in
Guides
Hey Texplainer: Is it legal for me to shoot my gun into the air in celebration?
Hey Texplainer: A state lawmaker who was hit in the head by a stray bullet during a New Year’s celebration says he plans to file a bill to stop “celebratory gunfire.” Isn’t shooting your gun into the air already illegal in Texas?
Posted inState Government
Texas Supreme Court agrees to hear legal fight between regent and chancellor
The Texas Supreme Court has agreed to hear oral arguments in the long-running legal fight between University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall and Chancellor Bill McRaven.
Posted in
2016 Year in Review
Protests, politics and scandal defined 2016 for Texas universities
Colleges in Texas had a tense year, thanks to campus carry, racial incidents and the election.
Posted inState Government
UT System administrators receive about $2 million in bonuses
University of Texas System regents authorized about $2 million worth of bonuses for executives this year. That is actually down from past years.
Posted inState Government
New job for Charlie Strong means UT saves millions
Charlie Strong has a new job at the University of South Florida, which means the University of Texas at Austin will save some of the millions of dollars it owes its recently fired coach.
