A judge said the university can’t be trusted to enforce a state law that bans overnight “expressive activity,” among other restrictions, in a constitutional way.
Jessica Priest
Jessica Priest covers higher education, working in partnership with Open Campus. She joined the Tribune in 2022 as an engagement reporter in the ProPublica/Texas Tribune joint investigative unit, contributing to a series that was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in the explanatory reporting category. Prior to the Tribune, Jessica worked for the Fort Worth Report, USA Today, the Victoria Advocate and the Temple Daily Telegram, reporting on topics that included criminal justice, the environment and local government. Her work has often made an impact. The state’s highest criminal court granted a death row inmate a new trial after she detailed a prosecutor’s conflicts of interest. After she exposed questionable hirings and payments at a port and later a water district in another part of the state, both public entities underwent reforms. Jessica was born in Houston and graduated from Sam Houston State University.
Posted in
Higher Education
Billionaire Jeff Yass gives $100 million to University of Austin for free tuition
Yass, a school voucher supporter and an influential figure in Texas politics, said the only condition for the gift was for the school not to receive government funding.
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Higher Education
Texas A&M paid former president Mark A. Welsh III $3.5 million after he resigned
Welsh had pushed for a full payout of the remainder of his contract, something that appears to have been a source of tension between Welsh and top administrators, records show.
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Higher Education
Federal appeals court will reconsider West Texas A&M drag show ban
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday tossed a three-judge panel’s earlier ruling that found the ban violated students’ free speech rights. The court’s 17 judges will rehear the case.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas Republicans are redefining higher ed. It’s creating confusion about free speech on campuses.
Some students and professors say recent changes and scandals chill speech at universities. Others argue that conservative opinions can now be shared more freely.
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Higher Education
Texas AG Ken Paxton to investigate UNT for not disciplining students accused of celebrating Charlie Kirk killing
Paxton called on the university to expel the students. Free speech experts have previously criticized state leaders who laud Kirk as a free speech champion while seeking to discipline those who have celebrated his death.
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Higher Education
Texas Tech system’s vague guidelines on gender identity spur more questions than answers
Faculty have spent weeks seeking clarity on new restrictions, which have often been issued by word of mouth. A written Q&A was rescinded.
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Higher Education
What we know about Texas colleges reviewing courses amid push to limit gender identity instruction
The federal and state governments want restrictions on recognizing trans and nonbinary people. Here’s how Texas’ higher education leaders are responding.
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Higher Education
UT-Austin considering offer to adopt Trump priorities for funding advantages
The funding deal would reportedly ask the university to adopt a stricter definition of gender and a tuition freeze, among other conditions.
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Higher Education
Texas Tech’s limits on gender identity discussion deepen fears of politics breaching academic freedom
Professors are afraid to publicly speak out, system leaders left key questions unanswered and advocates worry for LGBTQ+ students’ mental health.