An internal investigation found that unqualified students were admitted and given scholarships at Texas Southern’s law school and unearthed allegations of kickbacks to an admissions official. The incidents led to the ouster of university President Austin Lane.
Shannon Najmabadi
Shannon Najmabadi was a reporter at the Tribune from 2017 to 2021, most recently covering women's health. Her stories — on higher education and other topics — have prompted lawmakers to change three state laws, including one involving a very narrow definition of the word “pickle.” She is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and Columbia University.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
With six confirmed cases, panic in Fort Bend County spreading faster than the coronavirus
If there is an epicenter of the new coronavirus in Texas, it’s arguably Fort Bend County, which had the first confirmed case of COVID-19 outside of the federal quarantine site in San Antonio. There are six total cases there now, all stemming from an Egypt cruise trip.
Posted in
Health care
Texas A&M cancels two days of classes to prepare for coronavirus
The College Station campus said it has no further plans to halt in-person instruction. The decision comes as universities across the country have begun moving classes online or switching to take-home exams, in response to the novel coronavirus.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Houston area has eight cases of coronavirus, all within a group of people who traveled overseas together
Officials have said there is no evidence of community spread in Texas and all the patients were exposed to the virus in Egypt.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas universities recall students, clean doorknobs as coronavirus safeguards
Students studying overseas are being brought home, and handshakes are discouraged as colleges and universities try to curtail coronavirus risks. No cases have been reported so far.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT-Austin announces updates to sexual misconduct policies after student protests
The school will make termination the “presumptive punishment” for employees who commit sexual assault or sexual harassment, among other offenses. It will also make available to the public information about those found responsible but not fired for such offenses.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas Southern University and ousted president agree to part ways
Regents had accused President Austin Lane of failing to report allegations of fraud in the university admissions process and other contract violations. Their agreement to end his tenure contains no claims of wrongdoing.
Posted in
Public Education
Hearing airs sexual abuse claims against KIPP charter school co-founder Mike Feinberg
An administrative hearing into whether Mike Feinberg can keep his Texas educator certificate turned into a de facto trial over the sexual abuse allegation that led to his dismissal from the charter network he co-founded in the 1990s.
Posted in
Demographics
“Neglected” college campuses on Texas border want a little love, and better Wi-Fi
At three lonely satellite campuses of Sul Ross State University, students and teachers say they’re stuck with broken technology and few resources. Their dreams of blooming into an independent four-year university seem doomed, but they hope things might get better under a new university president.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas Southern University regents vote to fire school’s president
President Austin Lane was suspended in mid-January from the top post at the historically black school in Houston with little explanation. Now regents have voted to terminate him over allegations of admissions irregularities and other contract violations.
