Higher education

Watch: A conversation on veterans and workforce development

by Texas Tribune Staff

We're livestreaming our conversation in San Antonio on veterans and workforce development, moderated by Tribune CEO Evan Smith. Full Story 

2 dead, at least 14 wounded after shooting at party in Greenville, Texas

by The Texas Tribune

Brandon Ray Gonzales, 23, was arrested Monday on a capital murder charge. The suspect is being held at the county jail with bail set at $1 million. Full Story 

At 69, she's still paying off $12,000 of student debt — including out of her Social Security checks. It isn't just a millennial problem.

by Shannon Najmabadi

About 222,140 Texans ages 60 and older had student loan debt in 2017, carrying a median load of $15,754, according to government data. Full Story 

Texas A&M System employees were asked to teach office pet birds to say “howdy.” It didn’t go well.

by Shannon Najmabadi

A few parakeets that seemed to cause most of the consternation were swiftly removed and the birds that remain are well-liked by employees, a System spokesperson said. Full Story 

Watch: A conversation on higher education and social mobility

by Texas Tribune Staff

We're livestreaming our conversation in Beaumont on higher education and social mobility, moderated by Texas Tribune Editor Ayan Mittra. Full Story 

While Texas State underreported campus crime, former employees say some surveillance cameras and emergency phones were broken

by Shannon Najmabadi

School officials believe the majority of security technology is operational now and said they were not aware of systemic problems in the past. Full Story 

Texas A&M University System to ban vaping across all its campuses

by Shannon Najmabadi

"This health threat is serious enough that I want to see the ban include every building, outside space, parking lot, garage and laboratory within the Texas A&M System," Chancellor John Sharp wrote in a Tuesday memorandum. Full Story 

Texas State dramatically under-reported the number of sexual assaults on campus in 2016 and 2017

by Shannon Najmabadi

The university said in a statement it has "implemented university-wide processes to help ensure accurate crime statistics reporting moving forward." Full Story 

UT athletic director says Longhorn-Aggie rivalry football game should happen

by Shannon Najmabadi

“Us not playing A&M is not good for college football,” said UT's athletic director, Chris Del Conte. Full Story 

Watch William McRaven speak at The 2019 Texas Tribune Festival

by Texas Tribune Staff

Watch a recording of the "Takeout" podcast in which William McRaven, the retired four-star admiral and former chancellor of the University of Texas System, talked about his life at sea, at war and in higher ed. Full Story 

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to provide free tuition for students with household incomes under $75,000

by Stacy Fernández

The tuition assistance program is expected to cover tuition and fees for about half of UTRGV students in the 2020-2021 academic year. Full Story 

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. Full Story 

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. Full Story 

Harrison Keller will be Texas' next higher education commissioner

by Shannon Najmabadi

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

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. Full Story 

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. Full Story 

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. Full Story 

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. Full Story 

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. Full Story 

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. Full Story