As the Legislature grapples with a struggling pandemic economy and the impact of an unprecedented winter storm, higher education advocates are vying for lawmakers’ attention, trying to make the case for more investment in colleges and universities.
Higher Education
Coverage of universities, colleges, student issues, and education policy shaping Texas’ campuses, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Some Texas colleges keep spring break while others adapt due to pandemic concerns
Some schools are letting students have a full week off. Others are spreading out free days to discourage travel. And some plan on-campus alternatives to leaving for vacation.
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Higher Education
UT-Austin report links “The Eyes of Texas” to minstrel shows but not Robert E. Lee, says song is “not overtly racist”
In recent months, the song has divided the university community. Over the summer, students protested and petitioned the university to rid the campus of the song, which has ties to minstrel shows.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Several Texas college campuses to keep mask mandates after governor’s order
Under Gov. Greg Abbott’s order, universities are able to choose whether they will retain and enforce mask-wearing and other COVID-19 safety measures. UT-Austin, Baylor, Southern Methodist University, Rice and the Texas A&M System are among those that will still require face masks.
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Higher Education
Texas A&M engineering dean M. Katherine Banks named sole finalist for university president
If officially approved, Banks will become the second woman president of the flagship university in College Station.
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TribCast
TribCast: Gov. Greg Abbott drops Texas’ mask mandate
On this week’s TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Patrick and Kate about Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to rescind statewide coronavirus orders and the fight over “The Eyes of Texas” at the University of Texas at Austin
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Higher Education
UT-Austin football players say they were forced to stay on field for “The Eyes of Texas” to appease angry donors and fans
The football players said the athletics officials, in a meeting with the players after the Oklahoma game, referenced emails from donors who said the protests could impact their job prospects after graduating.
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Higher Education
Student files class-action lawsuit against UT-Austin, saying online education last year wasn’t worth the tuition
The suit claims that the quality of classes dropped and argues the tuition should have too.
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Point of Order
Point of Order: Higher ed’s gap year
In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to Renu Khator, the president of the University of Houston, about a difficult 12 months of disruption and dislocation for the more than 47,000 students on her campus — and what state lawmakers can do to help.
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Higher Education
Texas universities promised action after summer’s racial reckoning. But they’re still reluctant to shed Confederate relics.
Students of color said they feel most of their calls to eliminate racist symbols from campuses have been ignored or intentionally mired in lengthy, bureaucratic processes intended to delay answers to difficult questions.
