College campuses always seem to attract controversy, but in 2015 Texas universities seemed to have more than their normal share.
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
SMU Opts Out of Campus Carry
Southern Methodist University in Dallas has joined the growing list of private colleges in Texas opting out of the state’s new campus carry law.
Posted in
Higher Education
As Texas Universities Expand, Political Fights Grow Over Turf
Texas universities have been aggressively expanding their geographic reach in recent years, opening up new educational opportunities for students. But the growth has also led to complaints from state leaders and turf wars between schools.
Posted in
Higher Education
Judge Dismisses UT Regent Hall’s Suit Seeking Access to Admissions Records
A state district judge has thrown out a lawsuit by University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall that sought to force the system to turn over records related to an admissions scandal last year.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas A&M Scales Back Plans for an Israeli Campus
Two years after the announcement of ambitious plans to open a branch campus in Israel, Texas A&M University is scaling back.
Posted in
Demographics
If UT-Austin Loses Case, It Could Face Another Top 10 Percent “Crisis”
Lost in the debate over the Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin case is this: For UT-Austin, more than racial preferences in admissions are at stake. If the university loses, the entire way it selects its incoming freshman class could be at risk.
Posted in
Demographics
Supreme Court Justices Question UT-Austin’s Affirmative Action Policy
U.S. Supreme Court justices dissected UT-Austin’s unusual admissions procedures on Wednesday, questioning whether Texas’ flagship campus should keep using race as a factor when evaluating some of its applicants.
Posted in
Demographics
Affirmative Action at UT and Beyond at Stake in Supreme Court Case
The eyes of higher education will be upon the University of Texas at Austin v. Fisher on Wednesday, as the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments about the future of affirmative action.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT-Austin Proposes 3.1 Percent Tuition Increase
University of Texas at Austin President Greg Fenves is proposing a 3.1 percent tuition increase for next school year, he said Monday in a letter to students.
Posted in
Higher Education
Former FDA Head To Join UT-Austin Medical School Faculty
Mark McClellan, who ran the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under George W. Bush, will focus on reforming medical care and lowering costs.
