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Court orders immigration officials to restore legal status of three people who came to Texas on student visas
Read full article: Court orders immigration officials to restore legal status of three people who came to Texas on student visasThe three former students went to UT-Arlington and UT-Dallas. While they have prevailed in court so far, many other international studentsโ education futures remain uncertain.
UT-Rio Grande Valley students caught in nationwide sweep sue Homeland Security over immigration status
Read full article: UT-Rio Grande Valley students caught in nationwide sweep sue Homeland Security over immigration statusThe four students were involved in minor criminal cases that have been resolved, which they argue shouldnโt be used to justify ending their higher ed goals in Texas.
Texas law students warn that bill to quash โterrorist activityโ in universities could trample free speech rights
Read full article: Texas law students warn that bill to quash โterrorist activityโ in universities could trample free speech rightsThe bill would require universities to report any visa-holding students who support terrorism, but its vague language could be dangerous, civil rights groups say.
Texas Senate approves bill that could reshape how history and race are taught in state universities
Read full article: Texas Senate approves bill that could reshape how history and race are taught in state universitiesAn overhauled version of Senate Bill 37 would also allow anyone to file complaints that could lead schools to lose funds.
More than 250 international studentsโ immigration statuses revoked across Texas universities
Read full article: More than 250 international studentsโ immigration statuses revoked across Texas universitiesThe people affected include a University of Houston professor from Korea who was teaching upper level math under a type of student visa that allows graduates to work in their field of study.
15 Texas A&M international students might have quietly lost their ability to stay in the U.S.
Read full article: 15 Texas A&M international students might have quietly lost their ability to stay in the U.S.The Trump administration has said it has revoked the visas of more than 300 international students across the country in the last three weeks.
Five ways a funding overhaul has transformed Texas community colleges
Read full article: Five ways a funding overhaul has transformed Texas community collegesMore than a year after Texasโ House Bill 8 took effect, some schools have offered free tuition, grown dual credit programs or helped studentsโ credits transfer when they move on to four-year schools.
Interim UT-Austin president seeks to walk fine line between faculty and lawmakersโ concerns
Read full article: Interim UT-Austin president seeks to walk fine line between faculty and lawmakersโ concernsJim Davis told professors heโll share their concerns with lawmakers about proposals that would increase oversight on curricula and hiring. Elsewhere on campus, former UT-Austin President Jay Hartzell criticized the bills.
Texas A&M canโt ban โDraggielandโ drag show, federal judge rules
Read full article: Texas A&M canโt ban โDraggielandโ drag show, federal judge rulesJudge Lee H. Rosenthal said the student group that organizes Draggieland, the Queer Empowerment Council, was likely to succeed in showing the ban violates the First Amendment.
Texasโ DEI debate centers on a disagreement about whether programs perpetuate or prevent discrimination
Read full article: Texasโ DEI debate centers on a disagreement about whether programs perpetuate or prevent discriminationSupporters say diversity initiatives close educational and income gaps born from a history of prejudice. Republican officials say they prioritize identity over merit.
Texas faculty testify against bills to screen universitiesโ curriculum for โideologicalโ bias
Read full article: Texas faculty testify against bills to screen universitiesโ curriculum for โideologicalโ biasLawmakers say several bills under consideration Thursday would โaddress the unchecked authority of faculty.โ They would expand university governing boardsโ oversight powers.
Texas lawmakers seek to transfer University of Houston-Victoria to Texas A&M system
Read full article: Texas lawmakers seek to transfer University of Houston-Victoria to Texas A&M systemSen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, said Texas A&M is better positioned to grow the Victoria school and serve the regionโs petrochemical and agriculture industries.
University of North Texas and Rice University under federal investigation for โrace-exclusionary practicesโ
Read full article: University of North Texas and Rice University under federal investigation for โrace-exclusionary practicesโThe Texas universities are among dozens accused of violating the law by partnering with a group that had sought to increase diversity in graduate programs.
Texas bill would increase oversight of universitiesโ hiring, curriculum and compliance
Read full article: Texas bill would increase oversight of universitiesโ hiring, curriculum and complianceSenate Bill 37 would create a state office to investigate complaints against universities and require governing boards to ensure courses donโt endorse certain ideologies.
In lawsuit settlement, Texas Techโs med school promises it wonโt consider race in admissions
Read full article: In lawsuit settlement, Texas Techโs med school promises it wonโt consider race in admissionsGeorge Stewart sued Texas Tech University Health Science Center and five other medical schools claiming they rejected him in favor of lesser qualified students of color.
Texas Tech officials trying to determine what caused explosion and fires that prompted campus closure
Read full article: Texas Tech officials trying to determine what caused explosion and fires that prompted campus closureA day after the incident in which green flames could be seen coming out of manholes, 40% of the university in Lubbock remains without power.
Texas A&M Board of Regents names Glenn Hegar as university systemโs next leader
Read full article: Texas A&M Board of Regents names Glenn Hegar as university systemโs next leaderHegar, who currently serves as Texas comptroller, will replace A&M Chancellor John Sharp in leading the 157,000-student system.
Part of pro-Palestinian student art exhibit at UNT removed amid antisemitism complaints by state lawmakers
Read full article: Part of pro-Palestinian student art exhibit at UNT removed amid antisemitism complaints by state lawmakersFive GOP lawmakers who targeted the exhibit also called for the cancellation of the โPalestinian Children and the Politics of Genocideโ lecture, which is still scheduled.
Republican senators threaten not to boost Texas public universitiesโ funding over DEI ban
Read full article: Republican senators threaten not to boost Texas public universitiesโ funding over DEI banIn a letter, Sens. Brandon Creighton and Paul Bettencourt said they found โnumerousโ violations of the law, but didnโt provide specifics.
Texas Legislature proposes $400 million cut to higher ed as Dan Patrick threatens university budgets over DEI
Read full article: Texas Legislature proposes $400 million cut to higher ed as Dan Patrick threatens university budgets over DEIAt a public event last week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said higher ed would get less funding if they donโt โkick DEI out of their schools,โ a few weeks after lawmakers proposed a massive cut to public universities.
Texas A&M regents may soon decide the university systemโs next leader
Read full article: Texas A&M regents may soon decide the university systemโs next leaderSources indicate the board has narrowed its search to five candidates: Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, Texas A&M Foundation President Tyson Voelkel, University of Alabama President Stuart Bell and state Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin.
In first full day leading UT-Austin, Jim Davis replaces chief academic officer
Read full article: In first full day leading UT-Austin, Jim Davis replaces chief academic officerDavis, who was named interim president one day earlier, replaced a provost who was named to the position by the universityโs previous leader last month.
How a South Texas community college embraced apprenticeships to ease a growing nursing shortage
Read full article: How a South Texas community college embraced apprenticeships to ease a growing nursing shortageSouth Texas College in McAllen launched one of the first registered nursing apprenticeships in the country as area hospitals expect the need for nurses to increase.
Texas now has more top-tier research universities than any other state, report finds
Read full article: Texas now has more top-tier research universities than any other state, report findsThe designations come at a tumultuous time for universities as funding could be cut off and efforts to end tenure continue.
Texas universities could face funding cuts for health care research under new Trump administration policy
Read full article: Texas universities could face funding cuts for health care research under new Trump administration policyA federal judge blocked a new National Institutes of Health policy from going into effect in 22 states that sued the agency, but Texas wasnโt part of the suit.
UT-Dallas students launch alternative newspaper after clash with administration
Read full article: UT-Dallas students launch alternative newspaper after clash with administrationStudents at the university created their own news organization โ The Retrograde โ after they reached an impasse with administrators regarding oversight and the firing of the campus newspaperโs editor-in-chief.
Texas lawmakers may ban certain lessons at state colleges under expanded DEI crackdown
Read full article: Texas lawmakers may ban certain lessons at state colleges under expanded DEI crackdownLegislators are expected to take up a $360 million proposal that would change the landscape of financial aid in the state.
A mom, a student: How a San Antonio parent juggles school, work and child care for a better future
Read full article: A mom, a student: How a San Antonio parent juggles school, work and child care for a better futureOne in four Texas students is raising a child while getting a college degree. For Isabella Mapes, it has meant little sleep and, at times, a lonely journey.
Gov. Greg Abbott threatens Texas A&M presidentโs job over claim that university broke DEI ban
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott threatens Texas A&M presidentโs job over claim that university broke DEI banAbbott's comments came after A&M invited staffers and students to attend a conference that a conservative activist said broke the stateโs ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
UT-Austinโs presidency goes vacant amid growing challenges for Texas public university leaders
Read full article: UT-Austinโs presidency goes vacant amid growing challenges for Texas public university leadersIn recent years university presidents have been facing growing political pressures, student and faculty pushback and an increasingly demanding job.
Texas Southern University offering financial aid help for families earning less than $125K
Read full article: Texas Southern University offering financial aid help for families earning less than $125KTSUโs Tiger Promise will cover tuition and other mandatory fees not covered by other federal or state aid and scholarships for eligible students in households earning less than $125K. Click the article to see how it works:
Texas has big goals for college completion. In places like the Coastal Bend, how to get there is still murky.
Read full article: Texas has big goals for college completion. In places like the Coastal Bend, how to get there is still murky.Many rural Texans in the region say they lack quality information on the skills required to get good jobs and build a lasting career.
Expanding college financial aid will help Texas meet workforce needs, new higher ed chief says
Read full article: Expanding college financial aid will help Texas meet workforce needs, new higher ed chief saysIn his new role, Rosser will be responsible for helping Texas meet its goal to increase the number of Texans ages 25 to 34 with a postsecondary credential to 60%by 2030.
Texas professors self-censor for fear of retaliation, survey found
Read full article: Texas professors self-censor for fear of retaliation, survey foundAt least a third of respondents at UT-Austin, UT-Dallas and Texas A&M said theyโre not sure administrators at their universities protect free speech on campus.
Texas lawmakers are scrutinizing university professorsโ influence. Here's how faculty shape their universities.
Read full article: Texas lawmakers are scrutinizing university professorsโ influence. Here's how faculty shape their universities.Faculty senates have long played a key role in developing curriculum and protecting open inquiry. State leaders have also accused them of liberal indoctrination.
Community college โdesertsโ deter Texas students from getting a degree, report says
Read full article: Community college โdesertsโ deter Texas students from getting a degree, report saysBlack and Hispanic high schoolers who have to drive more than 30 minutes to a community college are less likely to pursue a degree, the report found.
A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strapped
Read full article: A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strappedRegional colleges rely more on tuition revenue to operate than flagship campuses. Gov. Greg Abbottโs desire to pause increases could create tight financial conditions.
A year into the job, Texas A&M president performs balancing act with growth, tuition, faculty and state leaders
Read full article: A year into the job, Texas A&M president performs balancing act with growth, tuition, faculty and state leadersStaff relations continue to be important for Mark Welsh III as he rebuilds trust after a hiring controversy and universities brace for legislation targeting faculty senates.
UT System expands free tuition and fees to all undergraduates whose families make $100,000 or less
Read full article: UT System expands free tuition and fees to all undergraduates whose families make $100,000 or lessThe Board of Regents is lifting the income threshold to expand eligibility across all nine of its UT System campuses.
Texas Tech wants permission to pay college athletes as a part of its recruitment efforts
Read full article: Texas Tech wants permission to pay college athletes as a part of its recruitment effortsState law prohibits schools from making direct name, image and likeness deals with athletes. Texas Tech says it puts them at a disadvantage as the university recruits athletes for fall 2025.
UNT faculty slam university for removing references to race and equity in course names
Read full article: UNT faculty slam university for removing references to race and equity in course namesProfessors and instructors say the university is preemptively censoring itself after administrators removed references to race and equity in dozens of College of Education course titles and descriptions.
Texas colleges pitch quick credentials as a first step toward higher wages. But students often fall off the path.
Read full article: Texas colleges pitch quick credentials as a first step toward higher wages. But students often fall off the path.Short-term certificates can only take a few weeks to get but donโt always lead to better earnings or higher degrees.
Gov. Greg Abbott wants to freeze tuition at Texas colleges and universities for another two years
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott wants to freeze tuition at Texas colleges and universities for another two yearsThe governorโs directive extends a tuition freeze for Texasโ public universities that was approved in the last legislative session.
Texas A&M regents overrule faculty, cut 52 โlow-producingโ programs including LGBTQ+ studies minor
Read full article: Texas A&M regents overrule faculty, cut 52 โlow-producingโ programs including LGBTQ+ studies minorAfter conservative criticism over the LGBTQ+ minor, university officials started looking at all its programs. Faculty say they were excluded from the process.
Texas State University condemns demonstrators who brought offensive signs to campus
Read full article: Texas State University condemns demonstrators who brought offensive signs to campusThe university is exploring potential legal responses after two men came on campus the day after the election with misogynistic and homophobic signs.
In South Texas, university students accuse Democratic county officials of suppressing their votes
Read full article: In South Texas, university students accuse Democratic county officials of suppressing their votesThe county decided to not have an early voting site at a Laredo university because of historic low turnout. It will have one on Election Day.
Texas judge accused of breaking law after asking his university students to vote for him
Read full article: Texas judge accused of breaking law after asking his university students to vote for himA candidate running against the judge accused him of emailing his students at Texas State to vote for him. State law prohibits using public resources for political advertising.
How a boom in East Texas high schoolers taking college classes is transforming Kilgore College
Read full article: How a boom in East Texas high schoolers taking college classes is transforming Kilgore CollegeHigh school students that are getting a jump on college through dual credit now make up the majority of students at one East Texas community college.
Nearly half of Texas high school students who earn college credits are Hispanic, study says
Read full article: Nearly half of Texas high school students who earn college credits are Hispanic, study saysDespite the groupโs strong participation, Hispanic students graduate college at a lower rate than peers in the program, according to a report.
Texas students can now see which state public universities would accept them before they apply
Read full article: Texas students can now see which state public universities would accept them before they applyStudents can enter their class rank, grade point average, and standardized test scores to get a list of universities to which theyโd be admitted.
Texas students with immigrant parents lost out on college aid because of FAFSA glitch
Read full article: Texas students with immigrant parents lost out on college aid because of FAFSA glitchThe glitch kept the students from submitting the form on time, which put them last in line to receive aid this year.
UT-Austin tightens automatic admission threshold to 5% of Texasโ top high schoolers
Read full article: UT-Austin tightens automatic admission threshold to 5% of Texasโ top high schoolersThe current threshold is 6%. The change comes after the university received a record-breaking 73,000 undergraduate applications for this fall.
GOP bid to remove polling sites from Tarrant County college campuses fails
Read full article: GOP bid to remove polling sites from Tarrant County college campuses failsCounty Judge Tim OโHare said he proposed the cuts to save costs. Critics accused Republican leaders of suppressing the vote of young people who back Democrats.
Dan Patrick asks Senate to consider bills to unmask protesters, change runoff elections
Read full article: Dan Patrick asks Senate to consider bills to unmask protesters, change runoff electionsThe new list includes many right-wing priorities, and would escalate Republicansโ wars against diversity, equity and inclusion programs and review laws to keep noncitizens off voter rolls.
UT System prohibits its universities from making political or social statements
Read full article: UT System prohibits its universities from making political or social statementsThe new policy says universities should remain neutral on โissues of the dayโ while allowing students, faculty and staff to express their ideas.
College costs weigh heavily on Texas students as they wait on late financial aid offers
Read full article: College costs weigh heavily on Texas students as they wait on late financial aid offersDelays in the new FAFSA led students to take out debt, enroll in community college over their top-choice universities or opt out of going to college.
Queer students look for alternatives after Texas A&M ends transgender health care services
Read full article: Queer students look for alternatives after Texas A&M ends transgender health care servicesThe students saw the move as part of a political environment that has become increasingly hostile against LGBTQ+ people in Texas.
How a lack of supervisors keeps new mental health workers from entering the field
Read full article: How a lack of supervisors keeps new mental health workers from entering the fieldFuture Texas therapists must complete internships to start their careers, but thereโs not enough providers to mentor all of the students.
North Texas colleges want to make transferring between schools easier, saving students time and money
Read full article: North Texas colleges want to make transferring between schools easier, saving students time and moneyThousands of Texas transfer students each year donโt get credit for some community college courses. The partnership seeks to address that.
Did FAFSA delays impact your decisions about college or housing? Share your story with us
Read full article: Did FAFSA delays impact your decisions about college or housing? Share your story with usThe delayed rollout of the new FAFSA caused many students to experience setbacks in receiving financial aid packages. If these delays impacted your college choices, The Texas Tribune wants to hear your story.
UT-Austin spares pro-Palestinian protesters from suspension, offers them probation instead
Read full article: UT-Austin spares pro-Palestinian protesters from suspension, offers them probation insteadSome students were relieved they were offered a type of academic probation that would allow them to remain in classes.
โAlways go out on topโ: Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp will retire June 2025
Read full article: โAlways go out on topโ: Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp will retire June 2025Sharp leaves after having transformed the institution, embedding it into state government, expanding its reach and boosting its academic and athletic reputation.
Travis County Attorney drops charges against 79 more UT-Austin protesters
Read full article: Travis County Attorney drops charges against 79 more UT-Austin protestersThe arrests were the result of the second police crackdown on pro-Palestine demonstrations at UT-Austin. The first protest, on April 24, resulted in 57 arrests, which were also dismissed.
Houston area business owner teaching young adults how to build a career in commercial real estate
Read full article: Houston area business owner teaching young adults how to build a career in commercial real estateAs living costs rise, young adults are seeking lucrative career paths. Ed Ryland, CEO of ARVO Realty Advisors, is mentoring the next generation in commercial real estateโa challenging yet rewarding field. Learn how his program offers internships, jobs, and mentorship to help you succeed.
Federal judge blocks Biden administrationโs Title IX guidelines to protect LGBTQ+ students
Read full article: Federal judge blocks Biden administrationโs Title IX guidelines to protect LGBTQ+ studentsJudge Reed OโConnor said the Biden administration didnโt have the authority to make the changes, which would expand anti-discrimination protections.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations at UT-Austin open rift among Jewish students
Read full article: Pro-Palestinian demonstrations at UT-Austin open rift among Jewish studentsSome Jewish students see the protests as inherently antisemitic. Others say Jewish history and values make them empathize with Palestinians.
Push to enforce occupancy rule in College Station highlights Texas A&M studentsโ housing woes
Read full article: Push to enforce occupancy rule in College Station highlights Texas A&M studentsโ housing woesThe new fines underscore the challenges college students face when looking for affordable housing โ and how cities struggle to provide it.
Muslim advocacy group sues Abbott, saying university executive order violates free speech
Read full article: Muslim advocacy group sues Abbott, saying university executive order violates free speechAbbottโs executive order directs Texas universities to โreview and update free speech policies to address the sharp rise in antisemitic speech.โ
Revisiting the protest movements at the University of Texas
Read full article: Revisiting the protest movements at the University of TexasProtests have been a century-long tradition at UT-Austin, and The Daily Texan, the student newspaper, has faithfully covered and recorded these significant historical events.
Under scrutiny from legislators, Texas university leaders attest to how theyโre complying with the stateโs DEI ban
Read full article: Under scrutiny from legislators, Texas university leaders attest to how theyโre complying with the stateโs DEI banTuesdayโs Texas Senate hearing comes as lawmakers are expected to propose new laws next year to enforce the DEI ban and prevent antisemitism.
Texasโ DEI ban almost ended cultural graduations. Latina students at UT-Austin fought to keep theirs.
Read full article: Texasโ DEI ban almost ended cultural graduations. Latina students at UT-Austin fought to keep theirs.Graduating students raised funds and took the lead organizing smaller ceremonies meant to highlight their identities and cultural heritage.
UT-Austin lecturer arrested and fired after confrontation with police at pro-Palestinian demonstration
Read full article: UT-Austin lecturer arrested and fired after confrontation with police at pro-Palestinian demonstrationThe lecturerโs lawyer disputes the charges, and the universityโs decision to fire him has raised concerns from faculty over free speech protections.
Watch a conversation on the UT-Austin protests and the state of free speech on college campuses
Read full article: Watch a conversation on the UT-Austin protests and the state of free speech on college campusesAn American Civil Liberties Union of Texas attorney and a UT-Austin professor discussed how free speech has been protected and challenged in campus protests, and what we should all learn from the last few weeks.
UT-Austin student protesters balance end-of-year work with fallout from police crackdowns
Read full article: UT-Austin student protesters balance end-of-year work with fallout from police crackdownsMany students participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations fear their involvement might affect their plans for after college.
UT-Austinโs Jay Hartzell praised by GOP leaders as university presidents nationwide take heat over protest response
Read full article: UT-Austinโs Jay Hartzell praised by GOP leaders as university presidents nationwide take heat over protest responseHartzellโs protest response has also resulted in condemnations from students and faculty.
17 pro-Palestinian demonstrators arrested at UT-Dallas as police break up encampment
Read full article: 17 pro-Palestinian demonstrators arrested at UT-Dallas as police break up encampmentUT-Dallas is the second campus in Texas where Department of Public Safety troopers have made arrests while breaking up protests.
Gov. Greg Abbott and UT-Austin shift from championing free speech to policing protestersโ intentions
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott and UT-Austin shift from championing free speech to policing protestersโ intentionsThe arrest of dozens of Pro-Palestinian demonstrators since last week has left First Amendment advocates asking who gets to enjoy speech protections in Texas.
Dozens more arrested at UT-Austin as police use pepper spray, flash bangs to break up protests
Read full article: Dozens more arrested at UT-Austin as police use pepper spray, flash bangs to break up protestsThe arrests mark the second time in less than a week that police have broken up a pro-Palestinian demonstration. This time protesters tried to set up an encampment on campus.
Appeals court considers whether West Texas A&M drag show was unconstitutionally banned
Read full article: Appeals court considers whether West Texas A&M drag show was unconstitutionally bannedUniversity President Walter Wendler canceled a drag performance last year, claiming such shows โdenigrate and demean women.โ
Texas sues Biden administration to block expansion of LGBTQ+ student protections
Read full article: Texas sues Biden administration to block expansion of LGBTQ+ student protectionsThe new Title IX rules expanded the definition of sex-based harassment. Paxton said the change distorted the original intent of the law.
Misdemeanor charges filed against photojournalist arrested at UT-Austin protest
Read full article: Misdemeanor charges filed against photojournalist arrested at UT-Austin protestThe FOX 7 employee is accused of hitting a trooper with his camera, but the arrested man told reporters he was pushed and didnโt hit any officer.
How have DEI policies at Texas universities impacted you? Share your experiences with us.
Read full article: How have DEI policies at Texas universities impacted you? Share your experiences with us.We want to hear the experiences of students, faculty and families affected by pushback against diversity, equity and inclusion and free speech efforts at Texas universities.