The latest higher education news from The Texas Tribune.
DEI efforts have become a lightning rod for debate in American higher education. At the private Houston university, officials admit impact is hard to measure — but they also see progress from their work. Full Story
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As Gov. Greg Abbott expands his special session agenda to include public education funding, some still take issue with the governor tying new money for teacher raises and school safety to a voucher program. Full Story
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University leaders say the new Hill Institute will promote values like family life, the free and open exercise of faith, and rugged individualism. Full Story
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Mark Welsh said that Texas A&M will stay the course on many controversial changes made by former President Kathy Banks. Professors welcomed Welsh’s commitment to faculty input moving forward. Full Story
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Payments resumed this month after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan is unconstitutional. For many, the pause meant the difference between saving and making ends meet. Full Story
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The savvy ex-lawmaker has expanded the Texas A&M University System and mollified state leaders. Some faculty, alumni and students say that accommodation has come at a cost. Full Story
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The judge tossed the suit after the university argued a new state law that will go into effect in January, Senate Bill 17, already prohibits preferential treatment in hiring at public universities. Full Story
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The 35-15 vote by the student senate was based on accusations that Hudson Kraus changed a job description so his brother could qualify for a cabinet post. Full Story
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Here’s a look back at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival through the eyes of Tribune photographers. Full Story
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In an interview for The Texas Tribune Festival, the journalist urged Texans to organize in response to the state’s book bans and restrictions on public school lessons. Full Story
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The law requires publicly-funded universities and colleges to close their diversity, equity and inclusion offices, creating hiring challenges. Full Story
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The guidance asks universities in the system to avoid using the acronym DEI on their websites and walk a fine line between organizing events that “support diversity in a general way” but don’t “promote preferential treatment of any particular group.” Full Story
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Impeachment at all levels of government are becoming more common, a political scientist said. It could make the political tool pointless. Full Story
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Birx served in the Trump administration, helping states navigate COVID-19. Her work in public health largely focused on HIV and AIDS. Full Story
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After legislators passed laws banning diversity initiatives and targeting tenure at state universities, more than a quarter of the 1,900 Texas professors surveyed by faculty associations said they plan to look for positions out of state. Full Story
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Fellows play key roles in the most important work of the Tribune, helping with The Texas Tribune Festival and covering the biennial legislative sessions, education and the environment, among other important topics. Full Story
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In this excerpt from her new memoir, “Up Home,” Ruth J. Simmons recalls moving to Houston at age 6 from rural East Texas. She would go on to serve as president of Smith College, Brown University and Prairie View A&M. Full Story
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Simmons talked with The Texas Tribune about “Up Home: One Girl’s Journey,” which depicts an era long gone but whose legacies of inequality still persist. Full Story
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The move is an effort to provide relief for college students struggling with the skyrocketing costs of higher education. But professors expressed concerns about the impact the decision might have on their ability to prepare for classes. Full Story
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In this week’s episode, we discuss the changes at Houston ISD after a state takeover in June. Full Story
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