Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

All content by Ali Juell
Ceasar Avila poses for a portrait inside the Center for Community Engagement in Austin, Texas on Friday. With the closure of the Division of Campus and Community Engagement, the center will need to be repurposed.

Semester of SB 17: Student sees uncertain future of ‘transformative’ program

Ali Juell, Projects Editor April 23, 2024

Editor’s Note: The implementation of Senate Bill 17 meant the loss of diversity, equity and inclusion offices, positions and resources throughout campus. The Texan’s projects department reached out...

Graduate student Megan Cockett stands for a portrait in front of the Make It Your Texas sign on the PCL on April 21, 2024. The recent university changes due to SB-17 shut down iPride, an organization Cockett started.

Semester of SB 17: Future librarian manages end of graduate student organization

Ali Juell, Projects Editor April 22, 2024

Editor’s Note: The implementation of Senate Bill 17 meant the loss of diversity, equity and inclusion offices, positions and resources throughout campus. The Texan’s projects department reached out...

The Texan looks back, forward at news this semester

The Texan looks back, forward at news this semester

Politics and Protests Looking Back: UT students got involved with the state legislative session by testifying to committees and interning with congressional offices. UT’s student advocacy program,...

Proyecto de ley del Senado de Texas que prohíbe la teoría crítica de la raza pase por el Senado

Proyecto de ley del Senado de Texas que prohíbe la teoría crítica de la raza pase por el Senado

Ali Juell and Andrea Arias-Zarate April 18, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 13 de abril por Ali Juell y fue traducido al español por Andrea Arias-Zarate. El Senado de Texas aprobó el Proyecto de Ley 16 del...

Professors fear potential impacts of tenure-ending bill

Professors fear potential impacts of tenure-ending bill

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter April 13, 2023

With her elementary, middle and high school all within a three-mile radius of UT, Kima Cargill’s childhood was always influenced by the University’s atmosphere and highly regarded academics. The prestigious...

Texas Senate Bill banning critical race theory passes in Senate

Texas Senate Bill banning critical race theory passes in Senate

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter April 13, 2023

The Texas Senate approved Senate Bill 16 on April 12 along party lines, with Republicans backing the bill and Democrats pushing against its passage. The bill would prevent public universities and their...

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Proposed bill could turn Civitas Institute into an official UT college

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter March 30, 2023

The Civitas Institute, UT’s conservative think tank established in 2022, has been no stranger to change during its brief yet contentious tenure as part of the University. If a new bill is passed in the...

Funcionarios de la ciudad y miembros de la comunidad trabajan para mejorar la seguridad en la construcción de West Campus.

Funcionarios de la ciudad y miembros de la comunidad trabajan para mejorar la seguridad en la construcción de West Campus.

Ali Juell and Alyssa Ramos March 29, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 23 de marzo por Ali Juell, y fue traducido al español por Alyssa Ramos.  En comparación con muchas áreas de Austin, West Campus...

El Comité de Asignaciones de la Cámara aprueba el proyecto de ley del presupuesto estatal 2024-25: esto es lo que contiene

El Comité de Asignaciones de la Cámara aprueba el proyecto de ley del presupuesto estatal 2024-25: esto es lo que contiene

Ali Juell and Karen Flores March 28, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 23 de marzo por Ali Juell y fue traducido al español por Karen Flores. El Comité de Asignaciones de la Cámara aprobó el jueves...

Students pass by the Hi how are you mural on Guadalupe Street near the University of Texas at Austin on March 1, 2023.

American Campus to preserve ‘Hi, How Are You’ mural during building demolition

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter March 27, 2023

In an ever-evolving city and campus, UT students are used to seeing the buildings and businesses that occupy the University area change year by year. Although the region continues to grow and adapt, the...

House Appropriations Committee approves 2024-25 state budget bill draft —  here’s what’s in it

House Appropriations Committee approves 2024-25 state budget bill draft — here’s what’s in it

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter March 23, 2023

The House Appropriations Committee approved the official draft 2024-25 Texas state budget Thursday, using an unprecedented $302.7 billion budget to fund property taxes, wage increases and border operations. The...

City officials, community members work to improve West Campus construction safety

City officials, community members work to improve West Campus construction safety

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter March 23, 2023

Compared to many areas of Austin, West Campus sees a higher volume of pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles. As more and more developments pop up to fulfill student housing needs, city officials and...

Students discuss bill proposing end to sales tax on menstrual products

Students discuss bill proposing end to sales tax on menstrual products

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter March 10, 2023

As the bill filing period of the 2023 legislative session comes to a close, a bill introduced in the Texas House could reduce the price of menstrual products by removing the state sales tax at check out. Texas...

Students, professors discuss mental health professional shortage, increasing need for mental health services in schools

Students, professors discuss mental health professional shortage, increasing need for mental health services in schools

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter March 6, 2023

As anxiety and depression rates trend upwards, mental health professionals and politicians are addressing the factors contributing to personnel shortages within the field. In his State of the State...

Los líderes estudiantiles reaccionan a la pausa de diversidad, equidad e inclusión en todo el Sistema de UT

Los líderes estudiantiles reaccionan a la pausa de diversidad, equidad e inclusión en todo el Sistema de UT

Ali Juell and Amy DonJuan March 2, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 27 de febrero por Ali Juell y fue traducido al español por Amy DonJuan.  Mientras la legislatura de Texas se prepara para considerar...

Student leaders react to UT System-wide diversity, equity, inclusion pause

Student leaders react to UT System-wide diversity, equity, inclusion pause

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter February 28, 2023

As the Texas legislature prepares to consider bills limiting diversity, equity and inclusion on college campuses, student leaders are grappling with what a recently announced UT System-wide pause on...

Former VP Mike Pence visits UT Austin, speaks on one-year anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine

Former VP Mike Pence visits UT Austin, speaks on one-year anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter February 26, 2023

Former Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the UT Tower on Feb. 24, addressing the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and looking back at U.S. involvement in the conflict.  The anniversary...

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Abbott pide vales para escuelas privadas y recursos educativos en el discurso del estado del estado: “State of State Address”

Ali Juell, Mariana Flores-Sosa, and Jasmine I. Wright February 25, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 22 de febrero por Ali Juell y  fue traducido al español por Mariana Flores-Sosa y Jasmine I Wright.  El Gobernador Greg Abbott se...

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Abbott calls for private school vouchers, education resources in State of State Address

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter February 22, 2023

Gov. Greg Abbott addressed Texans during the State of The State following a successful reelection campaign. Abbott’s speech in San Marcos last Thursday focused largely on Texas’ role as an “economic...

Lawsuits aim to limit abortion-inducing medication access, affecting abortion, alternative uses nationwide

Lawsuits aim to limit abortion-inducing medication access, affecting abortion, alternative uses nationwide

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter February 21, 2023

After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Texas legislature introduced bills in the state legislature to further criminalize abortion. Two lawsuits filed in Texas have the potential to limit access to...

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Ascension reach agreement

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Ascension reach agreement

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter February 17, 2023

After stalled negotiations surrounding the cost of Ascension care for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas insurance holders threatened to end care for some last month, the two entities reached an agreement...

Roundup event changed to West Fest to distance from past

Roundup event changed to West Fest to distance from past

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter February 16, 2023

In 1930, the University introduced Roundup, a homecoming event that included decorated floats and a weekend of parties for “each and every visitor to the (UT) Campus,” according to the event’s original...

Jewish studies students start organization focused on Jewish academic and social aspects

Jewish studies students start organization focused on Jewish academic and social aspects

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter February 7, 2023

The Jewish Studies Undergraduate Students’ Association is kicking off its first full semester as an organization — its focus is to fill an unmet need organizers say they noticed on campus. The organization...

Students discuss proposed ban on delta-8 products in Texas Legislature

Students discuss proposed ban on delta-8 products in Texas Legislature

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter January 31, 2023

Texas State Sen. Charles Perry filed a bill in December to ban the production and sale of all synthetic forms of THC, which includes delta-8 products. If passed, the ban would take effect on Sep. 1, according...

‘I want to be hopeful’: Student debt relief program suspension leaves student borrowers uncertain of their fate

‘I want to be hopeful’: Student debt relief program suspension leaves student borrowers uncertain of their fate

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter January 30, 2023

Student borrowers are waiting on the U.S. Supreme Court to decide the fate of their loan balances, after multiple legal challenges left President Joe Biden’s student debt relief program indefinitely...

Director of National Intelligence, Texas Senator discuss classified documents and security threats surrounding TikTok

Director of National Intelligence, Texas Senator discuss classified documents and security threats surrounding TikTok

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter January 29, 2023

In the midst of national security concerns surrounding the conflict in Ukraine and sustained risks posed by governments including Iran and China, a two-day conference sponsored by UT Austin tackled issues...

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‘These lawmakers hold your fate in their hands’: UT students get involved in current legislative session

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter January 26, 2023

The state Capitol building represents something different to every Texan. In the midst of the legislature’s active season, its Texas pink granite exterior represents an opportunity for students to make...

Negociaciones con el seguro Blue Cross Blue Shield puede dejar estudiantes, la facultad con menos acceso medico

Negociaciones con el seguro Blue Cross Blue Shield puede dejar estudiantes, la facultad con menos acceso medico

Ali Juell and Alyssa Ramos January 25, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 19 de enero por Ali Juell y fue traducido al español por Alyssa Ramos.  Típicamente el año nuevo trae beneficios renovados para...

Blue Cross Blue Shield negotiations could leave students, faculty with less medical access

Blue Cross Blue Shield negotiations could leave students, faculty with less medical access

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter January 20, 2023

The new year typically brings renewed benefits for insurance holders, but Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas policy holders may see their in-network medical access decrease by the end of the month. BCBSTX...

2023 legislative session anticipated to address budget surplus, border security, more

2023 legislative session anticipated to address budget surplus, border security, more

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter January 9, 2023

Today marks the first day of the 88th Texas legislative session, following a successful midterm election for state Republicans through gains in both the Texas Senate and House of Representatives and wins...

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Thirteen plead guilty to 2020 West Campus drug ring charges; four set to jury trial next year

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter November 15, 2022

Thirteen of the 17 people arrested for their involvement in a 2020 drug trafficking scandal in West Campus, including the operation’s leader Varun Prasad, have plead guilty this year, KXAN reported....

McCombs Center for Global Business receives $2.5 million gift

McCombs Center for Global Business receives $2.5 million gift

Ali Juell, Senior news reporter November 11, 2022

UT alumni Ray and Karen Brimble donated $2.5 million to the McCombs Center for Global Business to improve the center’s educational and career resources.  Ray Brimble, founder and CEO of Lynxs Holdings, ...

Austin City Council votes to fund tenant education program, protects renters’ right to organize

Austin City Council votes to fund tenant education program, protects renters’ right to organize

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter November 11, 2022

The Austin City Council voted on Oct. 13 to fund tenants’ rights assistance and an education program through the Austin Tenant Council, in addition to voting on Oct. 27 to protect tenants’ rights to...

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Gov. Greg Abbott wins third term

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter November 9, 2022

Gov. Greg Abbott won re-election in the 2022 gubernatorial race with an approximately 55% majority, earning a third term as Texas’s governor and defeating challenger Beto O’Rourke.  Abbott celebrated...

‘We get to make our lives better’: North Campus Via 313 location votes to unionize

‘We get to make our lives better’: North Campus Via 313 location votes to unionize

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter November 8, 2022

After organizing and petitioning due to unfavorable working conditions, the North Campus location of pizza chain Via 313 voted in favor of unionization under the name Restaurant Workers United, according...

State Senator Bernie Sanders and congressional candidate Greg Casar host an Austin Labor Rally at the AFL-CIO parking lot on Oct. 29, 2022. The rally was held in support of unions in the city of Austin, Texas.

UT student speaks alongside Greg Casar, Bernie Sanders to address Austin voters at labor-focused event

Ali Juell, Senior news reporter October 31, 2022

With early voting in full swing, congressional candidate Greg Casar addressed voters Saturday at the Austin Labor Celebration & Rally. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and...

‘You need to keep voting’: Austin community discusses reproductive justice’s impact on student political involvement

‘You need to keep voting’: Austin community discusses reproductive justice’s impact on student political involvement

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter October 28, 2022

Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the abortion ban in Texas being enacted, 13% of likely voters considered abortion to be the most important voting issue to them ahead of this year’s midterm...

Polling data finds inadequate AAPI voter accessibility, representation

Polling data finds inadequate AAPI voter accessibility, representation

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter October 27, 2022

With early voting underway and a continuously growing population of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in Texas, conversations around voter inclusion are expanding to include the interests of the AAPI...

Students wait in line at the FAC to vote on Nov. 02, 2021.

Know what you’re voting for in 2022 midterms: policies of local, state candidates

Ali Juell and Celeste Olivarez October 20, 2022

On Monday, early voting kicks off for this year’s midterm elections and will be open until Nov. 4 for voters to cast their ballots before Election Day on Nov. 8. UT students and community members can...

‘No necesitas hacerlo solo’: estudiantes Mexicano-Americanos reflexionan sobre cómo pueden encontrar su comunidad e identidad cultural en el campus

‘No necesitas hacerlo solo’: estudiantes Mexicano-Americanos reflexionan sobre cómo pueden encontrar su comunidad e identidad cultural en el campus

Ali Juell and Alyssa Ramos October 14, 2022

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 3 de octubre y se tradujo al español. Basado en el Censo de la Comunidad Americana por la Oficina de Censos de los Estados Unidos, los...

UT pharmacy students, faculty discuss the national pharmacy shortage

UT pharmacy students, faculty discuss the national pharmacy shortage

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter October 14, 2022

The month of October marks American Pharmacists Month, a time to recognize the role pharmacists play in providing access to healthcare. However, more than three-quarters of community pharmacies are experiencing...

COLA awarded $50 million towards Alzheimer’s research by National Institute on Aging

COLA awarded $50 million towards Alzheimer’s research by National Institute on Aging

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter October 13, 2022

The National Institute on Aging awarded researchers in UT’s College of Liberal Arts a $50 million grant to study education’s effects on Alzheimer’s and related dementia over the next five years — ...

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UT-Austin recognized as 8th largest producer of tenured faculty in the U.S.

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter October 7, 2022

UT-Austin produces the eighth largest quantity of tenured or tenure-track faculty members of any U.S. university, with UT doctoral graduates making up approximately 2% of the academic workforce, according...

‘You dont have to do it alone’: Mexican-American students reflect on finding their community, cultural identity on campus

‘You don’t have to do it alone’: Mexican-American students reflect on finding their community, cultural identity on campus

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter October 3, 2022

Based on the 2021 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanic Texans now make up 40.2% of the population compared to 39.4% of non-Hispanic white Texans, making Hispanics the...

Gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke hosts rally on campus as first stop of Texas college tour

Gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke hosts rally on campus as first stop of Texas college tour

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter September 26, 2022

Gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke wore a burnt orange hat as he hosted a rally in front of the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library on Monday to address students on the first stop of his College...

Pete Buttigieg talks infrastructure, border crisis, election season at Texas Tribune Festival

Pete Buttigieg talks infrastructure, border crisis, election season at Texas Tribune Festival

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter September 26, 2022

Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Transportation Secretary and former presidential candidate, opened this year’s Texas Tribune festival on Thursday with a talk about infrastructure grants, the border crisis and the...

Rise and Shine for the Texas vs. Alabama Game

The Sept. 10 Texas vs. Alabama football game brought early morning spirit and chaos to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. This video was produced under Video Editor Shezan Samanani.

‘That’s what being a Longhorn is about’: Students rise and shine early for UT vs. Alabama game

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter September 11, 2022

Darrell K Royal-Texas Stadium saw thousands of students arrive hours before the 11 a.m. kickoff Saturday to secure a spot in the student section for the UT vs. Alabama game, which set an attendance record...

UTPD launches interactive transparency dashboard, aims to increase community trust

UTPD launches interactive transparency dashboard, aims to increase community trust

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter September 9, 2022

The University of Texas Police Department added an interactive transparency dashboard to their website with public data, such as employee demographics and incident frequency, in an effort to be as transparent...

UT psychology lab helps improve morale in Travis County Fire Department

UT psychology lab helps improve morale in Travis County Fire Department

Ali Juell, Senior news reporter September 9, 2022

Austin firefighters bonded after a February analysis by UT’s Applied Psychology Research Lab, which sought to improve workplace conditions and retention rates of Travis County’s Fire and Rescue Department. Alissa...

Gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke speaks to the Pan American Neighborhood Park crowd on June 26, 2022. O’Rourke held a rally for reproductive rights in response to SCOTUS’ decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke pledges action on gun laws, abortion care at Austin rally

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter September 8, 2022

Gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke addressed potential voters at the Long Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday evening, pledging to make progressive strides on issues including gun control,...

Biden administration to forgive some student loan debt, UT students reflect

Biden administration to forgive some student loan debt, UT students reflect

Ali Juell, Senior news reporter September 2, 2022

President Joe Biden announced Aug. 24 that his administration will cancel up to $10,000 of federal student loan debt for borrowers with an annual income below $125,000. Pell Grant recipients are eligible...

McCombs and TransUnion partnership offers students new opportunities in data science

McCombs and TransUnion partnership offers students new opportunities in data science

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter August 23, 2022

The McCombs Center for Analytics and Transformative Technologies and credit reporting agency TransUnion announced a three-year collaboration this month that aims to provide research and mentorship opportunities...

‘Im here for my community’: Students protest increased fees at Riverside complexes under new management

‘I’m here for my community’: Students protest increased fees at Riverside complexes under new management

Ali Juell, Senior News Reporter August 23, 2022

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article said that the protest was about increased rent prices, but it has been updated to reflect that students protested fees, not increased rent prices. The...

UT alumni selected as grand marshals for Austin Pride Parade

UT alumni selected as grand marshals for Austin Pride Parade

Ali Juell, Senior news reporter August 22, 2022

After a two-year hiatus of Austin Pride due to pandemic-related cancellations, UT alumni Celia Israel and Steven Tamayo served as grand marshals for the 2022 celebration this Saturday. Together, Israel...

You can now look at the world through the eyes of a crab, literally — thanks to UT-Austin researchers

You can now look at the world through the eyes of a crab, literally — thanks to UT-Austin researchers

Ali Juell, News Reporter August 3, 2022

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the August 2, 2022 flipbook. UT researchers helped to develop a method to see through the eyes of a fiddler crab, a creature that has a unique and clear...

University land endowments raise equity, environmental concerns

University land endowments raise equity, environmental concerns

Ali Juell, News Reporters July 28, 2022

Editor's note: This article first appeared in the July 26, 2022 As state-designated land endowments benefit the University of Texas and Texas A&M University systems, a degree of revenue has increased...

Student group works to bring 24-hour contraception vending machines to campus

Student group works to bring 24-hour contraception vending machines to campus

Ali Juell, News Reporter July 7, 2022

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the July 6, 2022 flipbook. Emergency Contraception 4 Every Campus, a cross-university student organization, is working with University officials to implement...

UT study records impact of pandemic on stigmatizing language around opioid use

UT study records impact of pandemic on stigmatizing language around opioid use

Ali Juell, News Reporter May 3, 2022

The language used by health professionals when addressing opioid use on Twitter became increasingly stigmatized during the pandemic, according to a UT College of Liberal Arts study.  Scott Graham,...

UT System, U.S. Army partner to improve trauma care

UT System, U.S. Army partner to improve trauma care

Ali Juell, News Reporter April 27, 2022

The UT System and the U.S. Army plan to advance trauma care science and technology to help both injured soldiers on the battlefield and hospital patients through a new collaboration between the two institutions. The...

UT students concerned about food waste as dining halls shift back to self-serve food stations

UT students concerned about food waste as dining halls shift back to self-serve food stations

Ali Juell, News Reporter April 8, 2022

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the April 5, 2022 flipbook. University dining halls transitioned from staff serving lines to self-serve stations last month in a return to pre-pandemic...

Moody, McCombs collaborate to create Leadership in Global Sustainability minor

Moody, McCombs collaborate to create Leadership in Global Sustainability minor

Ali Juell, News Reporter March 31, 2022

The UT Global Sustainability Leadership Institute, a collaboration between the Moody College of Communications and McCombs School of Business, will launch a leadership in global sustainability minor in...

Study abroad programs canceled in Ukraine and Russia due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Study abroad programs canceled in Ukraine and Russia due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Ali Juell, News Reporter March 10, 2022
Programs in other countries are currently still scheduled to occur as Texas Global continuously monitors the situation, according to an email from Education Abroad director Heather Thompson.
‘Loving your body doesn’t necessarily have to be loving the way you look’: UT Body Project returns to uplift, empower female identifying students

‘Loving your body doesn’t necessarily have to be loving the way you look’: UT Body Project returns to uplift, empower female identifying students

Ali Juell, News Reporter February 25, 2022

The UT Counseling and Mental Health Center is recontinuing a collaboration with University Health Services in March to offer the Body Project, a body acceptance project, to female identifying students. During...

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