In recent months, a set of seven “breakthrough solutions” for higher education have been discussed, debated and mulled over in the press, the Legislature, and various academic circles. Arguably lacking in the debate is the voice of a disinterested third party — until now.
Higher Education
Coverage of universities, colleges, student issues, and education policy shaping Texas’ campuses, from The Texas Tribune.
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Higher Education
UT System Releases Data on Faculty “Productivity”
This afternoon, the University of Texas System released much-anticipated data on faculty “productivity” — noting, however, that the 821-page spreadsheet is in a raw draft form that has not been fully verified and “cannot yield accurate analysis, interpretations or conclusions.”
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Economy
Full Video: TPPF’s Higher Ed Reform Panel
At a panel hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, UT president Bill Powers, TPPF senior fellow Ronbald Trowbridge and speaker of the A&M faculty senate Robert Strawser discussed the conservative think tank’s seven proposed reforms to higher education. Here is the full video.
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Higher Education
A&M Alumni Organize Against Higher Ed Proposals
A group of prominent Texas A&M University alumni have signed a letter opposing the controversial “breakthrough solutions” proposed by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and encouraged by the state’s Aggie-in-Chief, Gov. Rick Perry.
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Higher Education
Update: Can Tier-One Contenders Reach Consensus on Prize Money?
There’s a substantial cash prize awaiting Texas’ seven emerging research universities, if they can meet the criteria to be considered “tier one.” But there’s no way to get at it right now, and there won’t be unless they can all reach an agreement.
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Higher Education
Campus Carry Fails to Pass the Senate — Again
When the Senate approved an amendment to state Sen. Judith Zaffirini’s higher education bill that would permit the carry of concealed handguns on university campuses by a vote of 19 to 12, the Laredo Democrat killed her own legislation to prevent it from going through.
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Higher Education
Update: Zaffirini and Powell Escalate Higher Ed Debate
An increasingly bitter disagreement over the future of the University of Texas at Austin between University of Texas System regents’ chairman Gene Powell and state Sen. Judith Zaffirini is ratcheting up the ongoing debate surrounding higher education in Texas.
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Higher Education
Jeff Sandefer Opens Up on Higher Ed Debate
Jeff Sandefer, the author of the “seven breakthrough solutions” that have rocked the Texas higher education community, has broken his silence on the matter.
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Higher Education
TribLive: Powers and Loftin on Faculty Accountability
At last Thursday’s TribLive conversation, I interviewed Bill Powers and Bowen Loftin, the presidents of the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University, respectively, about the need to quantify the financial contribution of faculty members as part of a higher ed accountability effort.
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Criminal Justice
Video: Bill Powers and Bowen Loftin at TribLive
At last Thursday’s TribLive conversation, I interviewed Bill Powers and Bowen Loftin, the presidents of the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University, respectively, about the need for higher education reform, the impact of budget cuts, the predicament of middling graduation rates and more.