Students grappling with financial upsets and a hurting economy say tuition should be lowered at their Texas universities. But some colleges are adding new fees related to an increase in distance learning.
Reopening Texas Universities
Texas colleges and universities were abruptly shut down in mid-March, kicking thousands of students out of dorms and crowded lecture halls and forcing them into virtual classrooms. Now these schools are charting the path for the fall semester, trying to preserve the college cultural experience, while balancing safety and lost revenue. Students are making decisions about whether to return, whether online classes will serve their needs, whether the higher education experience is still worth the money, and whether they should participate in college sports.
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Coronavirus in Texas
UT-Austin students and employees urge officials to stop in-person classes, lower tuition and offer hazard pay
The Texas State Employees Union presented a petition that condemns the upcoming return to campus in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic as harmful. Classes start Wednesday.
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Coronavirus in Texas
“We’re being treated as guinea pigs”: Faculty members fear in-person return to Texas universities
Some faculty members call the pressure to return to face-to-face instruction a callous decision that prioritizes money and the college experience over the safety of the university community.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Sam Houston State University canceled its in-person graduation and fall sports — but hosted a Tiffany Haddish comedy show
The school allowed up to 675 students into its indoor Johnson Coliseum to watch comedian Tiffany Haddish on the first day of classes.
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Coronavirus in Texas
UT planning to limit stadium capacity to 25%. Here’s what you need to know about Texas college football during the pandemic.
Texas schools in the Big 12 and SEC are still planning to play this fall.
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Reopening Texas Universities
Big 12 OKs football season, paving way for UT-Austin, Texas Tech, TCU and Baylor to play
This comes after the Pac-12 and the Big 10 said that they would postpone college football until at least the spring. Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey signaled Tuesday that the conference that includes Texas A&M will play this fall.
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Reopening Texas Universities
Jay Hartzell named sole finalist for UT-Austin president
Hartzell, dean of the University of Texas at Austin’s business school, has served as interim president since April after former president Greg Fenves stepped down after five years at the helm.
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Coronavirus in Texas
What losing football to COVID-19 would mean for Texas college towns: “It’s like losing Christmas”
Economists said canceling football would be devastating to local businesses that rely on the huge influxes of cash from home games. Meanwhile, athletics officials weigh whether they can risk the health and welfare of student athletes.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas universities have started shedding jobs and are bracing for a serious financial hit
It’s impossible to foretell the coronavirus pandemic’s full financial impact on state universities, public and private, but some have already faced millions in lost revenue and unexpected costs. Things will only get worse.
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Coronavirus in Texas
UT-Austin will test 5,000 people a week for coronavirus and cover out-of-pocket costs for students
The university plans to test all of its campus residence hall students by the beginning of September. It will continue to identify individuals or groups on campus strategically to test those at a higher risk of disease spread and perform random testing.