Some senators opposed compensation within college athletics, but ultimately supported the legislation to maintain Texas’ competitiveness in recruiting efforts as dozens of states consider similar measures.
Higher Education
Coverage of universities, colleges, student issues, and education policy shaping Texas’ campuses, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT-Austin says Longhorn Band members must play “The Eyes of Texas” or else join new, separate band
The university is starting a separate student marching band that will not perform at major university events or have a required repertoire of songs.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Texas lawmakers consider limiting tenure after UT-Austin professor sued students over accusations of promoting pedophilia
One of the students sued by the teacher is the daughter of Allen Blakemore, a prominent conservative political consultant who has worked for state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, who filed the tenure bill.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
As Texas Legislature considers anti-trans bills, NCAA announces it will not hold events in states that discriminate against trans students
Texas lawmakers have filed six bills that target transgender students’ sports participation — and two of those bills would affect colleges and university sports in addition to K-12.
Posted in
Higher Education
M. Katherine Banks, Texas A&M’s incoming president, says she’s planning for a campus in “normal mode” this fall
Banks, the dean of the engineering school, will take over as the university deals with challenges related to the pandemic and a push to improve diversity initiatives after last summer’s protests
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Senate approves a $250 billion state budget — but questions remain about how federal aid will be used
The budget does not factor in over $35 billion in federal aid. Senators said they don’t yet know when that money will come in and what strings could be attached.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
St. Edward’s becomes one of the first universities in nation to require COVID-19 vaccine this fall for in-person activities
St. Edward’s is one of a handful of universities across the country to require the COVID-19 vaccine for students and faculty on campus as schools prepare for a more normal college experience this fall.
Posted in
Investigations
Colt McCoy joined forces with rich UT-Austin alumni to help pressure university to keep “The Eyes of Texas,” latest emails show
The new emails reveal more powerful donors and alumni than were previously known who mobilized on the issue in June right after the student athletes went public with their demands to get rid of the song.
Posted in
Higher Education
Black lawmakers, NAACP and students push back on UT-Austin’s “The Eyes of Texas” report, urge school to lose the song
Members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus said they are “unequivocal” about their opposition to UT-Austin’s alma mater and have asked the university to reconsider getting rid of the song.
Posted in
Higher Education
Baylor University report recommends changing buildings and statues honoring slave owners but gives a pass to school’s founder
Some students this summer called for a statue of the founder to be removed from campus and for the university itself to be renamed.
