West Texas A&M faculty condemn university President Walter Wendler after drag show cancellation
The vote of no-confidence came over Wendler’s handling of the drag show. Faculty said he’s also exhibited poor leadership with other issues. Full Story
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![West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler addresses the crowd at the WT Festival of Lights and winter carnival in Canyon on Dec. 2, 2022.]()
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Research leaders at Texas A&M University raise “serious concerns” with President Kathy Banks’ leadership
A poll conducted by the Council of Principal Investigators, an elected group of faculty who help oversee research activity at the school, found respondents distrust the president’s decision making since she took the helm nearly two years ago. Full Story
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![Texas A&M University President M. Katherine Banks at the Zachry Engineering Education Complex in College Station on March 30, 2021.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
Finding and keeping workers in post-pandemic economy is a struggle for West Texas, local leaders tell Fed
Local leaders told members of the Federal Reserve last week that families are facing financial stresses that make working hard. Educators say they need families more involved at school. Full Story
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![The Odessa Spire is lit in the colors of the Ukrainian flag in support of Odessa’s sister city in the Ukraine as the country faces war with Russia on March 16, 2022.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate approves bill that would end faculty tenure at public universities
Senate Bill 18 faces an uphill battle at the Texas House, where Speaker Dade Phelan has expressed concerns with completely eliminating the commonplace job protection. Full Story
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![Students walk through an area known as “The Quad” on the first day of the fall semester at Texas State University in San Marcos on Aug. 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate approves bill that would ban diversity programs in public universities
The legislation heads to the Texas House, where members have been more muted about the proposal to disband offices, programs and training that foster diversity. Full Story
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![The Academic Building on the Texas A&M University campus on March 26, 2018.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
As Texas college students struggle with affordability, UT-Austin launches program to offset on-campus housing costs
Demand for on-campus housing has gone up across the country as off-campus costs have skyrocketed and students seek more affordable options. Full Story
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![Students walk up the East Mall stairs at the University of Texas at Austin on Aug. 25, 2021.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate passes $308 billion budget plan, kicking off high-stakes negotiations with the House
There are $5 billion and several political wedges standing between the House and Senate plans, which now move into conference committee with less than five weeks before session ends. Full Story
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![Lt. Governor Dan Patrick presides over the Senate at the Capitol in Austin on April 06, 2023.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler faces no-confidence vote from faculty after canceling drag show
Faculty say the decision to take a vote on whether to condemn Wendler was the final straw in a host of issues with him. Full Story
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![Students rallied against the university president’s decision to cancel a drag performance at West Texas A&M University on March 23, 2023.]()
Credit: David Bowser for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House OKs bill that would fund community colleges based on their performance
Under this new model, community colleges would receive state funds based on the number of graduates who earn certificates or degrees and the number of students who transfer to four-year universities. Full Story
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![Houston Community College’s Northeast Campus on April 26, 2022, in Houston.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate approves bill barring professors from “compelling” students to adopt certain political beliefs
Critics say Senate Bill 16 is overly vague and will create a chilling effect that will prevent important conversations about race and gender. But Republican supporters say the legislation is necessary to protect conservative students who are self-censoring in the classroom. Full Story
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![Students walk through campus on the first day of classes at the University of Texas at Arlington on Aug. 27, 2021.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
How Republicans’ threats to tenure and diversity might undercut their own efforts to advance Texas’ universities
Texas lawmakers are poised to create a new multibillion-dollar endowment to boost emerging research universities in national rankings. But faculty members say banning diversity offices and tenure would stymie those efforts. Full Story
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![Nearly 40 protestors with Texas Students for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion join in chants against HB1 Rider No. 186, which would defund DEI initiatives at public universities, at the State Capitol rotunda on Mar. 23, 2023.]()
Credit: Leila Saidane/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate approves bill restricting which college sports teams transgender athletes can join
The bill will now head to the Texas House where enough lawmakers have already expressed support to approve a similar bill. Gov. Greg Abbott has also said he supports the measure. Full Story
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![The Texas Longhorns face the Iowa State Cyclones on March 12, 2022, at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.]()
Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports via REUTERS -
Texas Senate budget writers propose billions for teacher raises, lower property taxes and water projects
The Senate Finance Committee’s proposals won’t be voted on and sent to the full chamber until April. Full Story
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![The Senate chamber at the Texas Capitol on Aug. 16, 2017, the morning after the end of the special session.]()
Credit: Austin Price/The Texas Tribune -
West Texas A&M University students file free speech lawsuit after president cancels campus drag show
The lawsuit comes after protests each day this week, calling for university president Walter Wendler to reinstate the drag show and step down. Full Story
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![West Texas A&M University students gathered in protest against the university president’s decision to cancel a student-organized drag performance on March. 23, 2023.]()
Credit: David Bowser for The Texas Tribune -
Bills call for Texas teachers to be trained to administer lifesaving overdose drugs to students
Texas is attempting to address the fentanyl crisis gripping schools by having staff learn how to administer lifesaving medication. Full Story
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![Narcan nasal spray at an opioid educational training class with Callie Crow, the founder of Drew's 27 Chains, on March 31, 2022, in Caddo Mills.]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune -
West Texas A&M University president cancels student drag show, saying it degrades women
Students and First Amendment lawyers say President Walter Wendler’s portrayal of drag shows is off base and the cancellation violates free-speech rights. Full Story
![West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler addresses the crowd at the WT Festival of Lights and winter carnival in Canyon on Dec. 2, 2022.]()
Credit: Michael Cuviello/Amarillo Globe-News/USA TODAY NETWORK via REUTERS -
Bill would make UT-Austin center formerly known as Liberty Institute into its own college
Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, has filed legislation that would establish The Civitas School of Civic and International Leadership as a formal college at the University of Texas at Austin. Full Story
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![Students walk through campus at the University of Texas at Austin on Aug. 25, 2021.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate’s priority bills on higher ed would end tenure, diversity policies
The bills are part of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s list of priorities and, if passed as filed, could have profound impacts on how Texas universities recruit top faculty and other employees. Full Story
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![University of Houston students back on campus in Houston on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, after Hurricane Harvey.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Tech basketball coach Mark Adams suspended over “racially insensitive” comment
The head coach is also being investigated for allegedly spitting on a player during a game earlier in the season. Full Story
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![Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Mark Adams reacts after the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock on Feb. 25, 2023.]()
Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports via REUTERS -
Texas A&M University System bans diversity statements from job applications
The Texas A&M, Texas State and University of Houston systems are the latest to make changes after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to stop considering diversity in their hiring practices. Full Story
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![John Sharp, chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, speaks during a press conference at the PalmWood Event and Conference center in downtown Fort Worth on May 19, 2022.]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune