Concealed carry amendment

“I did not expect this amendment. It is very controversial among university regents, and it should stand as its own bill.”

— Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, on a last minute amendment tacked onto a higher education bill she sponsored, according to The Daily Texan. The amendment, added by Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, mirrors his previous concealed-carry bill.

“To say I am now trying to pull a fast one is a little silly. I am using the same parliamentary rules that were used two weeks ago to keep [SB 354] from being heard.”

— Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, on his amendment, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Powers speaks out
“It’s the sand being put in the oyster around which the pearl grows.”

— President William Powers Jr. in an interview with the Texas Tribune on Thursday, drawing an analogy to describe why the University needs state funding.

“Let me say, we’re trying to pull students through the University in four years.”

— Powers responding to a question during the Texas Tribune interview, about what UT was doing to help students graduate University in four years.

“Research universities drive economic development in their regions because they produce the educated workforce companies need and new knowledge that generates innovation and economic development.”

— Powers in a university wide email Tuesday defending academic research, according to The Daily Texan.

$10k for a bachelor’s degree
“It’s entirely feasible. It’s something we are going to pursue aggressively.”

— Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes on Wednesday, regarding Gov. Rick Perry’s proposal to create a $10,000 bachelor’s degree, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

“Low cost does not equate to low rigor or even low value.”

— Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board special projects director Van Davis on concerns that Perry’s mythical $10,000 degree plan would sacrifice academic quality for affordability, according to the Texas Tribune.