Aaronson and Tan interactively map women’s health program providers in Texas, Galbraith talks to the state’s climatologist about (what else?) the drought, Grissom with the latest on violence in youth prisons, Hamilton on why UTEP’s low four-year graduation rate may not matter, Murphy’s interactive comparing graduation rates and more at public universities in Texas, Ramsey on the redistricting end game (we think), Ramshaw on the state health commissioner’s attack on Planned Parenthood and Root on the closing of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s storied Austin bureau: The best of our best content from February 27 to March 2, 2012.
Higher Education
Coverage of universities, colleges, student issues, and education policy shaping Texas’ campuses, from The Texas Tribune.
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Higher Education
Texas Higher Ed Coalition Gathers in Austin
The state’s higher education reform debate may have cooled, but the discussion hasn’t frozen. The Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education is meeting right now in Austin — and they say they’re not giving up the fight.
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Higher Education
For UTEP President, Low Graduation Rates Don’t Tell Whole Story
UTEP’s graduation rates are among the worst in the state, but President Diana Natalicio is adamant that the metric doesn’t accurately reflect the institution.
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Higher Education
At Public Universities, Graduation Rates Lag. But Do They Matter?
The four-year graduation rates at Texas’ public universities are staggeringly low. State officials acknowledge the numbers are dismal and are working to improve them. But not all higher ed leaders buy into the notion that such metrics matter.
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Economy
UH Creates Fund to Attract Science and Technology Faculty
University of Houston President Renu Khator is setting aside $30 million to bring in 60 new faculty members over the next two years, all of them in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.
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Higher Education
Preparing to Outsource Services, A&M System Tells Employees Not to Worry
Chancellor John Sharp is preparing for a massive privatization of services at Texas A&M University, from food service to grounds maintenance. But officials say that does not mean employees need to worry about their jobs.
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Higher Education
The Driving Force Behind UT’s Admissions Lawsuit
Edward Blum’s legal defense fund is behind Fisher v. University of Texas, which could halt the use of race in university admissions.
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Higher Education
UT Goes to Washington
With the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision this to hear an affirmative action case against the University of Texas, the university’s policies are once again poised to become a flashpoint in national discourse about the proper role of race in college admissions.
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Higher Education
At A&M System, Sharp Investing in Faculty Recruiting
Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp is launching a $5 million effort to bring Nobel laureates and other prominent scholars to College Station. He says he plans to adopt a similar approach throughout the university system.
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Higher Education
Fisher v. Texas Headed to High Court
UPDATED: University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers has responded to the U.S. Supreme Court decision to hear an affirmative action case that argues the university’s race-conscious admissions policy violates the rights of white students.