Higher education

Texas State University campus in San Marcos, Texas.

Texas State University says it misreported campus crime numbers

by Shannon Najmabadi

Texas State, which has already undertaken reforms, said the "system previously in place did not produce accurate statistics." School officials said the U.S. Department of Education has been working with university police to ensure accurate information in an annual campus security report due next month.

The University of Texas Law School building on Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Former law school employee defrauded UT-Austin out of nearly $1.6 million, internal report finds

by Shannon Najmabadi

The university has already begun tightening its financial controls and will strengthen its efforts to detect and prevent fraud. The law school’s dean, Ward Farnsworth, has been asked to make improvements.

Dr. Harrison Keller is Deputy to the President for Strategy and Policy and a Professor of Practice at The University of Texas at Austin.

Harrison Keller will be Texas' next higher education commissioner

by Shannon Najmabadi

Keller, who succeeds Raymund Paredes, will begin Oct. 1.

ACC Riverside campus on Feb. 27, 2019.

New law makes it easier for college students to avoid taking classes that won't transfer

by Riane Roldan

The bill mandates required reporting from colleges and universities about courses that don't transfer, and aims to help students save time and money.

Dr. Diana Natalicio was named president of the University of Texas at El Paso in 1988 and helped transform the campus over 31 years.

Farewell, Madam President: Diana Natalicio retires after 31 years as UT-El Paso's leader

by Julián Aguilar

Natalicio, 79, steps down this week as UTEP's president after becoming the first woman to hold the position in 1988.

State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond (left), speaks with Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster (right), in the House Chamber on March 27, 2019, the day the House will take up HB1, the 2020-21 budget plan.

State Rep. John Zerwas to join UT System as executive vice chancellor

by Shannon Najmabadi

The lawmaker, a doctor by training, will oversee a network of six health institutions with four medical schools, two dental schools and three nursing schools.

Shelby Laird and her daughter, Patricia, in a Whiteville, North Carolina park on July 12, 2019.

East Texas university may restrict when children can be on campus. Some employees say it hurts working parents.

by Shannon Najmabadi

Although policies restricting children’s presence in the workplace are common, the introduction of one at Stephen F. Austin State University has been met with monthslong resistance from some faculty members.

The technology center at the Lamar Institute of Technology in Beaumont.

With increased state funding, Lamar State colleges will cut tuition by a quarter

by Shannon Najmabadi

The Legislature gave a $17.3 million funding boost to the two-year colleges, which are part of the Texas State University System.

UT System Chancellor William McRaven makes a point during discussion at the July 13, 2017 retreat of the UT Board of Regents at a west Austin hotel. No discussion of McRaven's more than 2 1/2-year tenure as chancellor was considered in the open session.

Former UT chancellor Bill McRaven was the highest-paid public university leader in 2018

by Shannon Najmabadi

Last year, five of the top 10 highest-compensated public university leaders in the country were from Texas schools, according to a survey conducted by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

The UT tower and main building on The University of Texas campus on December 19, 2018.

UT-Austin will provide free tuition to undergrad students with family incomes below $65,000 starting in 2020

by Shannon Najmabadi

The UT System allocated $160 million of its oil money for the project.

Baylor senior Anna Conner in Cypress on June 12, 2019. Conner's campus LGBT organization, called Gamma Alpha Upsilon, or GAY, has been denied to be charted by the university nine times since 2011. Although Baylor removed a policy banning "homosexual acts" in its sexual conduct policy in 2015, LGBT students are still waiting for recognition to arrive.

Rejection of LGBTQ student group leads to a fight at "unambiguously Christian" Baylor

by Shannon Najmabadi

The Baptist university has denied a charter to Gamma Alpha Upsilon for eight years, members say.

Aerial view of the Texas Tech University Provost Office in Lubbock.

Texas Tech receives $17 million to build the state's second vet school

by Shannon Najmabadi

The Legislature designated the funding for the Amarillo campus over objections of Texas A&M University, which currently runs the only veterinary medicine school in the state.

University of Houston students back on campus in Houston on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, after Hurricane Harvey.

Most Texas workers will no longer lose their occupational license if they default on student loans

by Shannon Najmabadi

A 2018 report from the Texas Tribune found more than 4,200 people in the state — including security guards, cosmetologists and pharmacists – were at risk of losing their license because of student loan default in 2017.

Texas State Capitol, June 12, 2017. State Capitol in the late afternoon on June 12, 2017.

Here's what we know about the Legislature's final property tax reform bill

by Shannon Najmabadi

The final version of the bill is expected to require cities, counties and emergency service districts to hold an election before raising 3.5% more property tax revenue than the previous year. Community colleges and hospital districts would need to do so at 8%.

President of Texas A&M University Michael Young.

Texas A&M won't renew President Michael Young's contract — but says there's no plan for him to leave

by Shannon Najmabadi

“We look forward to your continued service as our president,” A&M System Chancellor John Sharp wrote in a letter to Young.

State Troopers in riot gear push protesters away from the building where white nationalist Richard Spencer was speaking at Texas A&M in College Station Tuesday, December 6, 2016.

Texas House passes Senate bill seeking to ensure free speech on college campuses

by Catherine Marfin

Senate Bill 18 would require universities to create disciplinary sanctions for students who interfere with free speech activities. It would still allow universities to put restrictions on the time, place and manner of such activities.

Bill to reinstate Texas A&M and UT football game never gained ground

by Carlos Anchondo

After it failed to move out of the House Higher Education Committee on Monday, a proposal to bring back the annual game seems all but dead.

University of Houston students back on campus in Houston on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, after Hurricane Harvey.

Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill creating University of Houston medical school

by Elizabeth Byrne

The medical school is projected to accept a class of 30 students for Fall 2020.

Abilene Police Chief Stan Standridge apologizes to the family of 1922 lynching victim Grover C. Everett at a memorial ceremony in Abilene on April 27, 2019.

Abilene police chief apologizes to family of 1922 lynching victim

by Nathan Gibbs, KACU

A college student's research helped bring together community leaders to organize a public ceremony to tell Grover Everett’s story.

Watch: A conversation on higher education outcomes

by Texas Tribune Staff

Watch video of our conversation in Fort Worth on improving higher education outcomes, moderated by the Tribune's Shannon Najmabadi.