Higher education

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. Full Story 

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. Full Story 

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%. Full Story 

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. Full Story 

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. Full Story 

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. Full Story 

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. Full Story 

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. Full 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. Full Story 

The Texas State student senate voted to bar a conservative group. Then Gov. Abbott questioned if the school deserves state funding.

by Arya Sundaram

Texas State University administrators and the student body president blocked the student senate's attempt to ban the conservative group Turning Point USA from campus. Full Story 

All Texans in Congress now have money to pay interns. Will they?

by Gabe Schneider

Congressional internships in Washington, D.C., have traditionally been unpaid. While some Texans in Congress have paid some of their interns in the past, those opportunities were not always well-publicized. Full Story 

Former UT tennis coach to plead guilty in admissions fraud case

by Catherine Marfin

Michael Center is accused of accepting a $100,000 bribe to help a student pose as a tennis recruit in order to get into school. Full Story 

Letting researchers study plants and animals on your Texas land can get you a property tax break

by Shannon Najmabadi

A little-known and ill-defined provision in state statute offers big tax breaks to landowners who host university research on their property. Two lawmakers are trying — again — to close the "loophole." Full Story 

Texas grades school districts on an A-F scale. Explore your district's grades here.

by Catherine Marfin

The changes to the new rating system — which gives districts a letter grade in three categories: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps — were finalized during the 2017 legislative session. Full Story 

Texas House signs off on medical schools for Sam Houston State, University of Houston

by Carlos Anchondo

The schools still need approval from the Texas Senate. Full Story 

UT System names Heather Wilson next UTEP president, despite objections from Democrats and LGBTQ activists

by Arya Sundaram

Wilson is a former member of Congress and the secretary of the Air Force. Her nomination has generated backlash over her anti-LGBTQ voting record. Full Story 

The Texas Senate's free speech proposal could force a policy change at UT-Austin, other campuses

by Catherine Marfin

Late last month, the University of Texas at Austin denied the Beto O'Rourke campaign's request to pass out flyers on campus. If Senate Bill 18 becomes law, the university would have had to grant permission. Full Story 

Texas House approves 2020-21 budget plan, with extra $9 billion for school finance, property tax relief

by Edgar Walters, Cassandra Pollock and Alex Samuels

The House also signed off on a $9 billion supplemental budget that would withdraw $4.3 billion from the state savings account. Full Story 

UT faculty, students feel the impact of Airbnb blacklist

by Arya Sundaram

Texas added Airbnb to a short list of companies that can’t receive state money because they boycott Israel, though Airbnb says it does not. Now, employees at the University of Texas at Austin can no longer stay in Airbnbs while on school business. Full Story 

Backlash builds against UTEP president nominee Heather Wilson

by Arya Sundaram

Student activists, professors and community members have rallied to oppose Wilson's nomination, citing her anti-LGBTQ voting record. Full Story