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 Eleanor Dearman
2016-05-02_ELLY_30_Rachel

Special ventures editor says goodbye in less than 1000 words

Eleanor Dearman May 6, 2016

Editor’s note: A 30 column is a chance for departing permanent staff to say farewell and reflect on their time spent in The Daily Texan’s basement office. The term comes from the old typesetting...

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University continues to address gender pay gap within faculty, staff

Eleanor Dearman December 2, 2015

Out of UT-Austin’s 100 highest paid employees, only 20 are women, according to data from the Texas Tribune Government Salaries Explorer. In November, Chancellor William McRaven announced...

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UT Green Fee, supported student programs threatened by funding uncertainty

Eleanor Dearman November 6, 2015

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Senate committee sends open carry bill to Senate floor

Eleanor Dearman May 19, 2015

A Texas Senate committee voted Monday to send the House’s open carry bill to the Senate floor for consideration. HB 910, which Rep. Larry Phillips (R-Sherman) authored, would allow licensed gun...

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Attorney General: Regents do not have authority to limit information requests

Eleanor Dearman May 13, 2015

Attorney General Ken Paxton said UT System regents do not have the authority to limit information requests Tuesday, in response to an appeal to Paxton by Regent Wallace Hall last month. “Unless...

2015-05-01_Fenves_Griffin

LISTEN: Daily Texan NewsCast for May 8, 2015

On this week's episode of the Daily Texan NewsCast we discuss Gregory Fenves', the next president of UT Austin, goals as president, an update on regent Wallace Hall's records requests, proposed...

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UTUnrated exposes graphic content

Jackie Wang and Eleanor Dearman May 7, 2015

UTUnrated, a Snapchat account that receives hundreds of submissions from University students, publishes a daily Snapchat “story” that includes, on an average day, nude photos, videos of people...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Bill to renew green fee considered in Legislature

Eleanor Dearman May 7, 2015

Hundreds of students across campus working on green fee-funded projects have helped reroute over 27,000 pounds of UT’s compost from landfills, plant over 75,000 seedlings and grow about 250 pounds...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Lawmakers propose halving UT-System’s portion of Permanent University Fund for University of Houston

Eleanor Dearman May 5, 2015

UT’s portion of the Permanent University Fund (PUF) might be cut in half to help fund The University of Houston.  Last week, Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Houston) laid out a bill and constitutional...

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LISTEN: Daily Texan NewsCast for May 1, 2015

On this week's episode of the Daily Texan NewsCast we discuss the universities plans to expand into East Campus, a bill in the Texas Legislature to limit tuition increases, the Longhorn Band coach...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Senate passes bill tying tuition raises to “performance measures” including graduation rates, administrative costs

Eleanor Dearman May 1, 2015

The Texas Senate voted to place certain limits on Texas public universities’ tuition rates Thursday. The bill, authored by Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo), would set certain “performance measures”...

2015-04-29_Supported_Living_Rachel

Student volunteers disappointed by potential closure of Austin State Supported Living Center

Rachel Lew and Eleanor Dearman April 29, 2015

On Sundays, social work senior Denisse Calderon wakes up and visits the Austin State Supported Living Center (ASSLC) to meet with residents and accompany them to a church service. “My work...

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Alcohol vending machines: the future of your Friday night

Eleanor Dearman April 28, 2015

Buying a beer could be as easy as pressing a button after this legislative session. Rep. Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) is working to legalize the sale of alcohol in vending machines at certain establishments...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Lawmakers initially approve bill to set sexual assault guidelines

Eleanor Dearman April 28, 2015

State lawmakers are working to set state guidelines for how universities handle sexual assault.  The House gave initial approval Monday to a bill requiring universities to set definitions of sexual...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Senate committee hears bill limiting abortion coverage under Affordable Care Act

Eleanor Dearman April 28, 2015

The Senate State Affairs Committee heard a bill Monday that, if passed, would remove abortion coverage from the Affordable Care Act.  The Affordable Care Act, often referred to as “Obamacare,”...

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LISTEN: Daily Texan NewsCast for April 24, 2015

Dan Resler, Samantha Ketterer, and Eleanor Dearman April 24, 2015

On this week's episode of the Daily Texan NewsCast we discuss the Student Government assembly's vote against a divestment resolution, Wallace Hall's appeal to the Attorney General, the results...

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Proposed bill will require universities to increase off-campus work-study positions in the private sector

Eleanor Dearman April 23, 2015

Lawmakers are working to increase the number of off-campus work-study opportunities in the private sector. On Wednesday, the House Higher Education Committee heard HB 2365, which, if passed, would expand...

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Legislators try to name cowboy hat Texas’ official headgear

Eleanor Dearman April 22, 2015

When liberal arts sophomore Madi Maino, originally from Virginia, prepared to move to Texas for college, her image of the state boiled down to one thing: a cowboy wearing boots and a hat.   “When...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Bill could allow voters to use cell phones at polling locations

Eleanor Dearman April 21, 2015

For the next round of elections, voters might be able to cast their ballots with a cell phone in hand. Current state law prohibits voters from having their cell phones within 100 feet of the voting...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Texas House gives initial approval to open carry bill

Eleanor Dearman April 17, 2015

The open carry of handguns state-wide is one step closer to being legal. The Texas House gave initial approval to its version of the open carry bill, HB 910, on Friday. The Texas Senate approved its...

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LISTEN: Daily Texan NewsCast for April 17, 2015

Dan Resler, Samantha Ketterer, and Eleanor Dearman April 17, 2015

On this week's episode of the Daily Texan NewsCast we discuss President Powers' record on improving graduation rates, the Jefferson Davis statue being vandalized, potential changes to the Hazlewood...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Committee hears two tuition-regulation bills

Eleanor Dearman April 16, 2015

The Senate Committee on Higher Education heard bills Wednesday to limit tuition increases in higher ed. In 2003, legislators deregulated tuition, granting universities control of tuition rates. Since...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Committee hears Hazlewood exemption bills

Eleanor Dearman April 16, 2015

Last fiscal year, UT excused about $9.7 million in tuition revenue for 1,034 student veterans and their families as part of the Texas Hazlewood Act tuition exemption, according to a Legislative Budget...

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Open carry bill delayed in House because of technical error

Eleanor Dearman April 15, 2015

The Texas House’s open carry bill, originally scheduled for a review on the House floor Tuesday, was delayed in the Senate because of a technical error. The bill, which Rep. Larry Phillips (R-Sherman)...

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Students testify in opposition of senate bill that could repeal Texas Dream Act

Eleanor Dearman April 14, 2015

Authors of the original Texas Dream Act, HB 1403, gathered at the Capitol on Monday to advocate for the policy — originally passed in 2001. The bill, which is at risk of removal this session,...

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Activists rally outside Capitol against proposed anti-LGBT legislation

Eleanor Dearman April 14, 2015

With signs reading “Don’t Indiana My Texas” in hand, more than 100 people rallied outside the Capitol for Freedom Advocacy Day to lobby against certain anti-LGBT measures proposed this...

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UT students share their experience with sex ed in Texas

Jackie Wang and Eleanor Dearman April 14, 2015

When radio-televisionfilm sophomore Holly Cook first came to UT, she had never taken a formal health or sex education course. Cook, who attended Clear Lake High School in Houston, learned what she knew...

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LISTEN: Daily Texan NewsCast for April 10, 2015

Dan Resler, Samantha Ketterer, and Eleanor Dearman April 10, 2015

On this week's episode of the Daily Texan NewsCast we discuss a bill to repeal the Texas Dream Act, a bomb threat at the Butler School of Music, student organizations advocacy for divestment related...

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Legislators debate city’s power to regulate Lyft, Uber

Eleanor Dearman April 10, 2015

Uber and Lyft, ride-sharing companies popular with many UT students, may soon be regulated on a state level in a shift from the current policy. Lawmakers on the House transportation committee heard...

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Music professor Robert Duke wins teaching fellowship

Eleanor Dearman April 9, 2015

The Friar Society, the oldest honor society on campus, selected music professor Robert Duke as the recipient of the Friar Centennial Teaching Fellowship (FCTF) on Wednesday.  Each school year,...

2014-04-07_Dreamers_Capitol_Carlo

Senate committee hears bill to eliminate in-state tuition for undocumented students

Eleanor Dearman April 7, 2015

Update: After over 13 hours of an emotional Senate hearing, the subcommittee on border security voted 2 to 1 to send the committee substitute for SB 1819 to full committee for review, with the recommendation...

2015-04-07_Bass_Ellyn

UTPD, APD clear Butler School of Music after bomb threat

Eleanor Dearman and Wynne Davis April 7, 2015

Bass Concert Hall and Texas Performing Arts Center were evacuated Monday after a bomb threat was reported to the Butler School of Music. UTPD responded to a call that reported a bomb threat in...

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LISTEN: Daily Texan NewsCast for April 3, 2015

Dan Resler, Samantha Ketterer, and Eleanor Dearman April 3, 2015

On this week's episode of the Daily Texan NewsCast we discuss Shaka Smart as the Longhorns' new head basketball coach, the results of the Wallace Hall grand jury, and a recap of last weekend's...

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Committee hears bills to increase criminal responsibility age from 17 to 18

Eleanor Dearman April 3, 2015

Under Texas’ current legal system, 17-year-olds accused of crimes are usually tried as adults — but lawmakers are working to raise that age by one year. On Wednesday, the Juvenile Justice...

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Committee votes revenue bonds bill to Senate floor

Eleanor Dearman April 2, 2015

The Senate is set to hear a bill that would provide UT-Austin with $67,500,000 for renovations at Welch Hall as well as construction on other facilities within the UT System and across the state. On...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

House discusses proposed $210 billion state budget

Eleanor Dearman April 1, 2015

The Texas House of Representatives started its discussion Tuesday of an approximately $210 billion budget. At print time, the discussion over HB 1, which lays out the House’s proposed state budget,...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Lawmaker files budget amendment requesting University report on-, off-campus discrimination

Eleanor Dearman March 31, 2015

Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (D-San Antonio) submitted an amendment to the House budget which would place university organizations, including fraternities, under close watch.  The amendment —...

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Six months after dramatic budget cuts, Texas Memorial Museum continues to operate

Eleanor Dearman March 30, 2015

Six months after having its budget gutted, the Texas Memorial Museum is improving its financial situation, and attendance is slowly rising. In September 2014, the University pulled funding for...

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LISTEN: Daily Texan NewsCast for March 27, 2015

Dan Resler, Samantha Ketterer, and Eleanor Dearman March 28, 2015

On this week's episode of the Daily Texan NewsCast we discuss Greg Fenves who has been named the sole finalist for the position of UT Austin President, campus-carry, roundup, and SG advocating the...

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Texas lawmaker proposes bill limiting citizens’ ability to record police officers

Eleanor Dearman March 27, 2015

One Texas legislator is aiming to limit citizens’ ability to record police officers from close distances, but the bill has generated significant opposition. Thursday, Rep. Jason Villalba...

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Texting while driving ban initially passes in House

Eleanor Dearman March 26, 2015

The House gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a statewide ban on texting while driving. HB 80 was approved with a 102–40 vote. The bill would ban text-based communication while driving in the...

Bill to end B-On-Time loans held pending in committee

Eleanor Dearman March 26, 2015

Rep. Helen Giddings (D-DeSoto) filed a bill, HB 700, that would eliminate the state’s B-On-Time student loan program. The B-On-Time loan is a state forgivable loan funded by 5 percent of student...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

SG leaders plan to lobby in opposition to campus carry at Texas House

Eleanor Dearman March 23, 2015

Over spring break, the Texas Senate gave final approval to SB 11, a campus carry bill for public universities. In response, members of the UT Student Government said they will intensify lobbying efforts...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Campus carry bill given final approval in Texas Senate

Eleanor Dearman March 19, 2015

The Texas Senate gave a final vote in favor of campus carry, a bill that would allow concealed handguns to be carried in college and university buildings. No debate preceded the passage of Senate...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Texas Senate gives campus carry bill initial approval

Eleanor Dearman March 18, 2015

The Texas Senate gave inital approval to its campus carry bill after it was brought to the floor Wednesday for its second reading. Campus carry would allow licensed handgun owners over 21...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

UT students and professors testify against campus carry

Eleanor Dearman March 17, 2015

College students and professors, including several from UT, attended a House committee hearing Tuesday to express opposition to campus carry. Grant Willson, a UT chemistry and chemical engineering...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Texas Senate clears open carry bill

Eleanor Dearman March 17, 2015

  Update (2:59 p.m.): The House Homeland Security and Public Safety committee left bills regarding campus carry and open carry pending in committee Tuesday. Guests attended a public hearing...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Lawmakers file more than 900 bills Friday

Eleanor Dearman March 14, 2015

More than 900 bills were filed Friday, as lawmakers scrambled to get their final pieces of legislation submitted before the 6 p.m. filing deadline.  In total, over 6,300 bills were...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Lawmakers file more than 900 bills Friday

Eleanor Dearman March 14, 2015

More than 900 bills were filed Friday, as lawmakers scrambled to get their final pieces of legislation submitted before the 6 p.m. filing deadline.  In total, over 6,300 bills were...

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LISTEN: Daily Texan NewsCast for March 13, 2015

On this week's episode of the Daily Texan NewsCast we discuss Xavier Rotnofsky and Rohit Mandalapu winning the Student Government executive alliance election, a religious freedom bill, SAE, the new...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Members rush to file higher education bills before legislative filing deadline Friday

Eleanor Dearman March 13, 2015

As last-minute bills rush in before the 6:00 p.m. filing deadline Friday, House and Senate committee chairs said they consider higher education funding to be this session’s legislative priority. Members...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Senate committee holds bill regarding regent operations

Eleanor Dearman March 12, 2015

The Senate Committee on Higher Education left a bill regarding board of regent operations pending in committee to adjust the language of the bill. SB 177, which Sen. Kel Seliger (R–Amarillo) filed,...

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State representative advocates removal of daylight saving time in Texas

Eleanor Dearman March 11, 2015

Texas Rep. Dan Flynn (R-Canton) wants daylight saving time removed in the state. Flynn filed a bill in November calling for legislators to end daylight saving time, and the public hearing for his bill is...

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Executive alliance candidates use baby goats for votes

Eleanor Dearman March 11, 2015

Executive alliance candidates Xavier Rotnofsky and Rohit Mandalapu used kids to gain votes Tuesday — baby goats, that is. Hundreds of students lined up at the Student Activity Center to see the...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Rep. White files bill that would allow business owners to refuse service based on religious grounds

Eleanor Dearman March 10, 2015

Rep. Molly White (R-Belton) filed a bill that, if passed, would allow private business owners to refuse business to people based on the owner’s religion or on “conscientious grounds.”  HB...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Rep. Molly White files bill to allow business owners to refuse service based on religion

Eleanor Dearman March 9, 2015

State Rep. Molly White (R-Belton) filed a bill that, if passed, would allow private business owners to refuse business to people based on the owner's religion or on “conscientious grounds.”  HB...

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LISTEN: Daily Texan NewsCast for March 6, 2015

Dan Resler, Samantha Ketterer, and Eleanor Dearman March 7, 2015

March 6, 2015: On this week's episode of the Daily Texan NewsCast we discuss the Student Government Executive Alliance runoff, a Texas marijuana bill, the UT Austin presidential search, and the...

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University Writing Center will move to Perry-Castañeda Library

Eleanor Dearman March 6, 2015

In 2014, the University Writing Center provided 11,105 one-on-one writing consultations for undergraduate students in only 1,500 square-feet of space.  The center’s tight quarters are...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Jose Menéndez swears into Senate seat representing San Antonio

Eleanor Dearman March 5, 2015

The Texas Senate gained a new member Wednesday as Sen. José Menéndez took over Leticia Van de Putte‘s seat representing San Antonio. Menéndez, a House member representing...

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Representative files bill to legalize marijuana in Texas

Eleanor Dearman March 4, 2015

Rep. David Simpson (R-Longview) filed a bill Monday to legalize marijuana in Texas. If passed, HB 2165 would repeal offenses related to possessing, selling and growing marijuana in Texas. The bill retracts...

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Representative proposes bill to change Advanced Placement required scores

Eleanor Dearman March 4, 2015

The four or five required on the Advanced Placement tests to claim college credit will be reduced to a three if a bill that Rep. John Zerwas (R-Richmond) proposed in the Texas House passes.  If...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Bipartisan bill, HB 11, addresses border security

Eleanor Dearman March 4, 2015

A bill proposed Monday would set new procedures for border security, including outbound checkpoints along the border.  Texas legislators proposed a multifaceted bill, HB 11, that would permit the...

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LISTEN: Daily Texan NewsCast for February 27, 2015

February 27th, 2015: On this week's episode of the Daily Texan NewsCast we discuss University Democrat's Student Government endorsements, developments in the ongoing campus carry debate, and...

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Students hold vigil for death row inmate Rodney Reed

Eleanor Dearman, Wynne Davis, and Samantha Ketterer February 27, 2015

One week before Rodney Reed’s scheduled execution, students and community members gathered on the steps of the Tower to hold a vigil for Reed and to protest Texas’ judicial system.   Students...

2015-02-26_regents_confirmation_Andy

Senate committee questions Board of Regents nominees

Josh Willis and Eleanor Dearman February 27, 2015

The Senate Committee on Nominations questioned Gov. Greg Abbott’s three regent appointees for more than five hours about admissions, open records requests, and other issues that have prompted conflict...

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If passed, ‘campus carry’ could bring cost UT System $39 million

Eleanor Dearman February 26, 2015

The UT System estimates “campus carry,” if passed, would cost UT campuses $39 million in additional security measures, but a UT-Austin fiscal note said the bill would have no significant fiscal...

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Legislature proposes bills to include class median grade on transcripts

Eleanor Dearman February 25, 2015

Bills proposed in the state House and Senate would require a class’s median or average grade be posted alongside a student’s individual score.  Rep. Scott Turner (R-Frisco), the...

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Sen. Van de Putte retires from Senate, plans to run for Mayor of San Antonio

Eleanor Dearman February 25, 2015

State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio) stepped down Friday after 24 years in the senate. Van de Putte announced she would leave the Capitol in January, after loosing the race for lieutenant...

2015-02-19_Same_Sex_Marriage_Mariana

Same-sex marriage stay to continue until US Supreme Court ruling, says Texas Supreme Court spokesperson

Jackie Wang and Eleanor Dearman February 24, 2015

The Texas Supreme Court’s stay on the state’s same-sex marriage ban may remain in effect until the expected Supreme Court ruling this summer, according to Osler McCarthy, staff attorney for...

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McCombs, LBJ deans to step down

Eleanor Dearman and Josh Willis February 24, 2015

Two UT deans will step down at the end of the semester, according to a blog post released Friday by UT President William Powers Jr. Robert Hutchings, dean of the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and...

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Texas attorney general asks state Supreme Court to declare same-sex marriage invalid

Eleanor Dearman February 23, 2015

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton petitioned the state Supreme Court on Friday to declare a single marriage license issued to one same-sex couple invalid.  Paxton asked the Supreme Court...

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LISTEN: Daily Texan NewsCast for February 20, 2015

Dan Resler, Samantha Ketterer, and Eleanor Dearman February 20, 2015

February 20, 2015: In the first Daily Texan NewsCast of the semester Eleanor Dearman and Samantha Ketterer discuss the first same sex marriage in Texas, Student Government elections, a campus-wide blackout,...

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Gov. Abbott prioritizes higher ed in first State of the State address

Jackie Wang and Eleanor Dearman February 17, 2015

Gov. Greg Abbott made higher education research an “emergency item” in his first State of the State address Tuesday. In his speech at the Capitol, Abbott urged lawmakers to prioritize...

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Proposed bill requires SG approval of student regent

Eleanor Dearman February 17, 2015

The Texas Legislature is working to redefine the student regent application process, requiring student regents to apply through student government before applying to the governor’s office. If...

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Over student opposition, state Senate committee votes to recommend “campus carry” bill

Eleanor Dearman February 13, 2015

Despite student opposition, the State Affairs committee voted to recommend that the Texas Senate pass SB 11, a bill allowing students, faculty and staff to carry concealed handguns on campus, with a vote...

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House Speaker Straus visits UT to discuss higher education

Eleanor Dearman February 12, 2015

Campus carry, in-state tuition for undocumented students and tuition regulation were major points of focus during an on-campus interview with House Speaker Joe Straus. At the talk, Straus stressed...

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Protesters show support for Texas Dream Act at the Capitol

Eleanor Dearman February 12, 2015

Hundreds of rally attendees chanted, “Sí, se puede,” or “Yes, we can,” at the Capitol on Wednesday to support a pro-immigration legislative agenda. Legislators, including...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Chancellor McRaven, state lawmakers clash in tuition regulation debate

Josh Willis and Eleanor Dearman February 11, 2015

Texas legislators and UT System administrators are squaring off over the role of the legislature in setting — or limiting — University tuition rates. Six separate bills in favor of...

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Texas state capitol hosts exhibit honoring civil rights activist Barbara Jordan

Eleanor Dearman February 11, 2015

An exhibit honoring Barbara Jordan, civil rights activist, congresswoman and former UT professor, opened at the Capitol on Tuesday to chronicle her life and work.  The exhibit, which will be open...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Bill offers sexual harassment protection for unpaid interns

Eleanor Dearman February 10, 2015

In Texas, unpaid interns do not have legal protection against sexual harassment in the workplace. Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) filed HB1151, which would work to provide unpaid interns with sexual...

UT, A&M meet at the Capitol to discuss higher ed funding

Eleanor Dearman February 5, 2015

UT and Texas A&M set aside a long-standing rivalry and worked together on the seventh Orange & Maroon Legislative Day to advocate for the schools’ common legislative priorities, such as state...

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Community college students advocate for tuition affordability

Eleanor Dearman February 4, 2015

Freezing rain did not stop hundreds of Texas community college students, many of whom hope to transfer to four-year institutions like UT, from meeting outside of the Capitol to discuss their policy priorities...

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Gov. Greg Abbott declares Feb. 2 ‘Chris Kyle Day’

Eleanor Dearman February 3, 2015

Gov. Greg Abbott declared Feb. 2 “Chris Kyle Day” in Texas to honor the decorated ex-Navy SEAL sniper killed last February. Abbott and legislators gathered at the Capitol on Monday to sign...

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Muslim Students’ Association teaches students about the meanings behind hijab

Eleanor Dearman February 3, 2015

Students of all races, genders, cultures and religions tried on hijabs — traditional headscarves worn by Muslim women — for an event the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) held Monday...

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Legislator, protesters disrupt Muslim Capitol Day

Eleanor Dearman January 30, 2015

State Rep. Molly White (R-Belton) drew criticism Thursday after asking Muslim visitors to the Capitol to “renounce Islamic terrorist groups” during an event UT students helped plan.  About...

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Perry says indictment doesn’t faze him as he considers a presidential run

Eleanor Dearman January 29, 2015

Former Governor Rick Perry said his recent indictment will not derail the possibility of a 2016 presidential campaign.  Perry discussed his future plans at a press conference Wednesday, which he...

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Republicans fire first shot in campus carry debate

Eleanor Dearman January 28, 2015

State legislators in the House and Senate filed identical bills Monday that would allow University students, faculty and staff with proper licenses to carry concealed handguns in campus buildings. Under...

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Activists, legislators unveil plaque honoring Holocaust survivor

Eleanor Dearman January 27, 2015

Members of the Global Embassy of Activists for Peace unveiled a plaque honoring Holocaust survivors in the Texas Capitol on Monday.  Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. (D-Brownsville) and his son, Rep....

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Legislators work to provide tax exemption for textbooks

Eleanor Dearman January 26, 2015

In a continued effort to prioritize higher education in this year’s legislative session, a group of six legislators are working to provide a tax exemption on certain textbooks.  Rep. Mary...

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Four Texas legislators push to make student ID acceptable as voter ID

Eleanor Dearman January 26, 2015

Four Texas lawmakers are making voter turnout among college students a priority by proposing bills that would make university-issued ID cards an acceptable form of voter ID. The bills, filed in both...

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Updated: Gov. Greg Abbott appoints two new UT System regents, reappoints Steven Hicks

Eleanor Dearman and Julia Brouillette January 22, 2015

On his second full day in office Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott appointed two new members to the UT System Board of Regents and reappointed Vice Chairman Steve Hicks for another term. Abbott’s two...

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Texas Senate changes 68-year-old procedural rule, lowers number of senators needed to bring bill for debate

Eleanor Dearman January 22, 2015

The Texas Senate adopted a three-fifths rule, lowering the number of senators required to bring a bill to the floor for debate, after a heated discussion Wednesday. The procedural shift will effectively...

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Abbott, Patrick focus on education and border security in inauguration speeches

Eleanor Dearman January 21, 2015

As Texans from across the state gathered at the Capitol to watch Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s inauguration Tuesday, the duo emphasized their goals of limiting government involvement...

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Recap: Abbott, Patrick inaugurated at Texas Capitol

Eleanor Dearman January 20, 2015

Texans from across the state gathered in front of the Capitol Building Tuesday to watch Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick take their oaths of office as Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Texas. Abbott...

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UT interns help behind the scenes of the 84th Legislative session

Eleanor Dearman January 20, 2015

Hundreds of UT students will work alongside state lawmakers in the 84th Texas Legislature to craft policies the lawmakers will propose during the 140-day legislative session.  “Have you ever...

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In farewell speech, Perry touts Texas’ economic success

Eleanor Dearman January 15, 2015

With five days left in office, Gov. Rick Perry, the longest-serving governor in Texas history, delivered a farewell speech Thursday before a joint session of the Legislature. Perry credited the private...

Texas Legislature brings new leadership, renewed debates

Eleanor Dearman January 14, 2015

Texas lawmakers returned to work Tuesday to commence the 84th legislative session and take their oaths of office. Amid the usual pomp and circumstance of opening day ceremonies, the House floor voted on...

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie

Higher ed bills to be proposed in 84th Texas Legislature

Eleanor Dearman January 13, 2015

The Texas Legislature opens its 84th 140-day session Tuesday at noon. Here are a few bills related to higher education that, if passed, could affect university students statewide. SB No. 22: Introduced...

University establishes Center for Sports Leadership and Innovation

Eleanor Dearman December 15, 2014

President William Powers Jr. and other University representatives announced Monday the formation of the Center for Sports Leadership and Innovation. Directed by Daron Roberts, a lecturer in...

College of Natural Sciences to offer fewer summer courses

Eleanor Dearman and Alex Wilts December 13, 2014

The College of Natural Sciences will be offering about one-third fewer courses in summer 2015, according to the college's dean, Linda Hicke. Last week, the Office of the Executive...

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Eleanor Dearman