Full video of my 4/16 conversation with state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, and state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond — the chairmen, respectively, of the Senate and House Higher Education committees.
Higher Education
Coverage of universities, colleges, student issues, and education policy shaping Texas’ campuses, from The Texas Tribune.
Universities Plead for Help With Hazlewood
School officials say the cost of providing free tuition for veterans and their dependents is growing at an unsustainable pace. Lawmakers in the House are considering tweaks to the law.
UT Must Tussle With Outsiders for Strong and Smart Trademarks
The University of Texas at Austin filed for five trademarks related to the hiring of basketball coach Shaka Smart this month. But an alumnus, his neighbor and a Louisiana company beat it to the punch on three others.
Universities Try Again on Construction Funding
In 2013, billions of dollars in bonds to pay for new campus buildings slipped through the grasp of state universities and colleges in the session’s closing moments. Another bond package is now moving through the chambers, and university leaders hope not to repeat that fate.
Video: Eltife on In-State Tuition
At our 4/9 conversation, state Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, the chairman of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, explained why he supports allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates at public universities.
UT Regents Will Let Wallace Hall Review More Documents
The University of Texas System Board of Regents will allow member Wallace Hall to see some data and documents compiled during an outside investigation into outside influence on UT-Austin admissions.
House Tentatively OKs Campus Construction Bond Plan
The Texas House on Wednesday tentatively approved a package of bonds worth $3.1 billion to support construction on college campuses. Legislators haven’t authorized such spending in a decade.
Committees Moving on Bills to Limit Tuition Increases
A Senate committee has approved a bill that would limit tuition increases to the rate of inflation unless universities meet “performance measures.” Meanwhile, a House committee is considering a bill to tie tuition increases only to inflation.
Asked About In-State Tuition Law, Perry Defers to Legislators
Former Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday deferred to state lawmakers on whether they want to repeal Texas’ in-state tuition law, a measure he signed into law in 2001 and has defended to varying degrees ever since.
UT Regents Call Special Meeting on New Wallace Hall Requests
The meeting comes after UT System Regent Wallace Hall asked to visit with one of the investigators from Kroll Associates, which found that UT-Austin President Bill Powers helped secure admittance for some students over the objections of the admissions office.



