Concealed handgun license holders could carry on university campuses if the Texas Legislature approves a bill going before the House of Representatives on Saturday.
The bill, authored by State Rep....
Investigators may find the cause of the fire and subsequent explosion in West by May 10, the state fire marshal told lawmakers Wednesday.
The West Fertilizer Co. plant explosion killed 15 people, injured...
The Texas House of Representatives tentatively approved a bill Wednesday requiring universities to offer students the option of a four-year fixed tuition plan in a move similar to one taken by the UT System...
Nearly two weeks before the April 17 explosion in West killed 15 people, including 12 volunteer first responders, Texas lawmakers voted against providing additional funds to the state’s 1,505 volunteer...
WACO — President Barack Obama told mourners remembering the 12 first responders killed in the explosion in West last week that the country stands with them as they attempt to restore their town.
“You...
Universities would not be able to prohibit students with concealed handgun licenses from storing handguns and ammunition in their vehicles on university property if a proposed law passes the Texas Legislature.
The...
The Texas House of Representatives’ chief budget writer said Wednesday he intends to keep amendments to the proposed state budget limiting the spending power of the UT System Board of Regents and...
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said last week the Texas Legislature would support West in the aftermath of the explosion, but the region’s representatives said they are waiting for more answers before submitting...
When marketing senior Hannah Hutyra got a call from her mom, who said there had been an explosion, Hutyra said she didn’t understand why her mom sounded upset.
“Nothing ever happens in a...
Student leaders and a Texas-based gay rights advocacy group voiced opposition Wednesday to a bill that would allow student organizations to exclude members based on race, gender or sexual orientation.
As...
The UT System Board of Regents’ increased involvement in UT affairs may be influenced by events at other universities, according to education analysts.
Controversies such as the 2011 sex abuse...
The UT System Board of Regents’ decision last week to disclose information requested by Texas lawmakers has not stopped legislative efforts to clarify regents’ proper adherence to the state’s...
Conflicts between members of the UT System Board of Regents and the Texas Legislature are nothing new to the two bodies, but their relationship changes with differing political and economic climates, according...
Complying with requests from several Texas lawmakers, the UT System Board of Regents unanimously voted Thursday to release documents requested by legislators and allow the Texas Attorney General’s...
Environmental groups and governmental agencies are wrestling with how to properly protect a type of lizard that resides on oil-producing lands owned by the UT System.
The 3-inch dunes sagebrush lizard...
UT administrators continue their opposition to allowing concealed handguns on campus after a House committee approved a bill Thursday to permit licensees to carry on university grounds.
The House Homeland...
Under legislation filed Monday in the Texas Senate, the UT System Board of Regents would have to disclose information to legislators despite objections by regents that disclosure may hinder their investigative...
Austinites hit by the downpour this week may not realize Texas faces a water shortage that threatens the state’s long-term ability to provide water for citizens and businesses.
Dan Hardin, water...
The Texas Legislature is trying to ensure UT can pursue diversity if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a portion of its admissions policy that considers race.
The Senate Higher Education Committee...
The Senate Higher Education Committee voted 4-1 Wednesday to move a bill before the Texas Senate that would limit the power of university boards of regents over individual institutions within a system.
The...
The state’s troubled cancer agency suffered another blow Tuesday after the foundation that supports the agency announced it would close its doors within 60 days.
The CPRIT Foundation, which is...
Following controversy surrounding the UT System Board of Regents’ alleged micromanagement of President William Powers Jr., Texas lawmakers must navigate differing philosophies about the proper governance...
While university presidents and the chancellor may be the public faces in front of the Texas Legislature, one UT System official plays a more behind-the-scenes role in the lawmaking process.
Since 2006,...
Students who receive forgivable loans under the B-On-Time program receive something in addition — an income tax form.
Under federal law, forgivable loans such as the B-On-Time loan count as taxable...
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said Wednesday that Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office should conduct a “duplicative investigation” of the UT Law School Foundation’s relationship...
The Senate of College Councils showed unanimous support Thursday for legislation to limit the powers of university system boards of regents across the state and elected a new president after the previous...
When a drunk driver killed David Dewhurst, Jr., his 3-year-old son, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, was deprived of the opportunity to learn about his father’s past. Nearly 60 years after the accident,...
A joint legislative committee announced Tuesday that they have requested information from the UT System Board of Regents necessary to investigate allegations that the board is “micromanaging”...
The Texas House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill Tuesday to establish a new UT System university in the Rio Grande Valley.
Lawmakers voted 149-0 to combine UT-Brownsville, UT-Pan American...
Members of a joint legislative committee announced Tuesday that they have requested information from the UT System Board of Regents necessary to investigate allegations that the board is “micromanaging”...
Two days before the 10th anniversary of the start of the Iraq War, a conflict that resulted in the deaths of 4,488 U.S. soldiers and thousands of civilians, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reaffirmed...
Spring break saw a reaffirmation of the UT System’s opposition to guns on campus and legislative action that may determine how the state would fund UT. This week, the Texas Legislature will decide...
The Texas Legislature could boost TEXAS Grant funding to historical levels if it follows recommendations unanimously approved by the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday.
The committee approved...
The University’s work-study program may face cuts after the federal government failed to agree to a plan that would forestall $85 billion in automatic budget cuts, commonly referred to as sequestration.
In...
Texas lawmakers will consider consolidating UT System institutions in South Texas after two legislative committees unanimously approved it Wednesday.
The bills, approved separately by the House and...
Austin’s recent bag ban could face an early demise if the Texas Legislature approves a bill that would abolish it.
The bill, filed by freshman state Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, would invalidate...
Texas voters are largely split on whether or not to allow concealed handguns on college campuses, according to a poll conducted by UT and The Texas Tribune.
Three bills in the Texas Legislature would...
A law school may join the proposed consolidated UT System institution in the Rio Grande Valley despite claims by the state’s higher education agency that Texas does not immediately need another law...
In January, UT and Austin Community College announced a partnership that would allow students who transfer from ACC to the University to earn an associate degree from their previous institution.
Now,...
Fixed-rate tuition has been implemented at UT System institutions with varying success, UT System officials told Texas lawmakers Wednesday.
The Texas House Higher Education Committee considered a bill,...
A brief survey of some peer institutions’ policies regarding consensual romantic relationships between university employees and students found that universities discourage student-employee relationships...
Capping off a week of drama between the Texas Legislature and the UT System Board of Regents, board chairman Gene Powell released a statement saying Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst’s remarks that the regents...
After allegations arose earlier this week that the UT System Board of Regents is micromanaging President William Powers Jr., the Texas Legislature took steps Wednesday to limit regents’ powers over...
Consolidating UT System institutions in the Rio Grande Valley would greatly benefit the economy of South Texas, UT System officials and Texas lawmakers said Wednesday.
The Texas Legislature is considering...
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is expected to release details Wednesday on the Texas Legislature’s involvement in the ongoing tension between President William Powers Jr. and members of the UT System Board...
At a time of strain between President William Powers Jr. and members of the UT System Board of Regents, Texas lawmakers defended Powers’ record and heaped praise upon him at a ceremony on the floor...
Restoring state funding cuts to UT may best be done through funding research projects at the University, President William Powers Jr. told Texas lawmakers Friday.
Powers told a subcommittee of the House...
While Texas is currently on track to reach targets intended to improve higher education in the state, some hurdles remain.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is the state agency charged with...
A bill to consolidate three UT System institutions in the Rio Grande Valley into one university will be the first piece of legislation considered by the Texas House Higher Education Committee during this...
Texas could expand access to a financial aid program that benefits thousands of low-income students at UT if it enacts recommendations passed down by the state’s higher education agency.
Raymund...
Texas lawmakers are grappling with how to properly fund a state financial aid program that benefits thousands of UT students.
Current funding proposals to the TEXAS Grant Program, which supplies financial...
Texas lawmakers heard testimony Thursday about the impact of a proposed consolidated UT System school in the Rio Grande Valley on a state fund intended for institutions in the UT and Texas A&M systems.
Bills...
University officials are still unsure of how proposed funding cuts to a troubled state agency would affect the $30 million to $40 million in cancer research grants it has recieved from the agency.
The...
After hours of testimony and extensive questioning, lawmakers did not receive a clear answer about how a $25.2 million grant awarded to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston wound...
Bills filed in both houses of the Texas Legislature on Monday would lead the UT System to consolidate its institutions in the Rio Grande Valley into one entity.
The bills would bring UT-Brownsville,...
City and transportation officials released a transit plan intended to unite the Central Texas region Friday.
At a press conference Friday, Mayor Lee Leffingwell said within 15 years, the city will link...
A mix of old and new faces will fill the House Higher Education Committee, which was announced Thursday.
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus renamed state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, chairman of the committee....
Gov. Rick Perry reaffirmed his support for freezing four-year tuition rates for incoming freshmen in his biannual State of the State address yesterday.
Perry first proposed fixed four-year tuition...
The University of Texas and Texas A&M University would be forced to hit the field together once a year if the Texas Legislature approves a bill filed Monday.
The bill, filed by Rep. Ryan Guillen,...
University of Texas at Austin and UT System officials outlined major initiatives — including the consolidation of three System schools in the Rio Grande Valley and the construction of a new building...
Universities would be required to freeze tuition for the duration of students’ undergraduate degree plans if the Texas Legislature approves a bill filed in the House of Representatives.
The bill,...
A freshman representative’s bill gives the Texas Legislature a bill in both houses that would allow concealed firearms on university campuses.
State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake,...
On Friday, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst named the seven members of the Senate Higher Education Committee, which is expected to deal with topics that will directly impact the University.
UT spokesman Gary...
The University would face a cut of almost 3 percent in state funds if Texas legislators follow budget recommendations released last week, although the budget may change during the legislative process.
The...
UT officials are closely watching a number of bills in the Texas Legislature that could impact the University’s long-term planning.
UT spokesman Gary Susswein said the University is paying close...
Members of the UT community are revisiting the issue of guns on campus after a state senator introduced a bill Thursday that would allow concealed firearms on university grounds.
The bill, filed by...
Higher education institutions would face a 2 percent funding decrease during the 2014-15 biennium if the Texas Legislature passes preliminary budget proposals filed Tuesday.
However, funding may...
President William Powers Jr. has not signed a petition circulated by university presidents around the country that seeks to encourage lawmakers to place restrictions on firearms, but a spokesperson said...
The Texas Legislature would adopt a budget of about $187 billion for the upcoming biennium, according to budget proposals released by the Texas Legislative Budget Board on Monday.
The Texas Legislative...
President Barack Obama’s nomination of a former UT student to lead the CIA may prompt a public debate about the United States’ increased reliance on drone strikes in the War on Terror and past...
UT aims to hire a nationally-recognized medical professional as the inaugural dean for a planned medical school by fall 2013.
Hiring a dean to administrate the medical school and help oversee its...
A state Senate bill, which aims to alter the amount of funds distributed through a state program intended to establish the next major national research university in Texas, would not immediately affect...
A bill in the Texas Senate could help fund the construction of a new building for the Cockrell School of Engineering by allowing the UT System Board of Regents to issue bonds for the project.
The...
A bill in the state Senate seeks to improve a zero-interest loan program that forgives loans for students who complete their degrees in a timely fashion.
The B-On-Time loan program was established in...
A bill in the Texas Senate would allow students to purchase textbooks without paying sales tax during two 10-day periods every year.
The bill, introduced by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo,...
Texas Gov. Rick Perry filled two positions Tuesday by appointing a longtime campaign donor as secretary of state and UT alumna as the governor’s chief
of staff.
Perry appointed Ann Bishop,...
Editor’s note: We will feature higher education bills filed for Texas’ 83rd legislative session, which begins Jan. 8, every day until the end of the semester.
A series of bills...
Texas Gov. Rick Perry appointed Jeff Boyd, his chief of staff, to a vacated position on the Texas Supreme Court on Monday.
Boyd is Perry’s 11th appointment to the Supreme Court since he took...
A U.S. district court ruled Thursday to deny a portion of a lawsuit that would prevent UT from receiving revenue University officials say is necessary to establish a proposed medical school and teaching...
A U.S. district court is expected to rule soon in a lawsuit that could deprive UT of revenue that UT officials say it needs to fund a proposed medical school and teaching hospital in Austin.
U.S. District...
A fraternity may pay a local private school up to $25,000 to relocate the former home of a UT physics professor to the school’s property.
Phi Gamma Delta would pay between $20,000 and $25,000 to...
A federal court will hear arguments today over a lawsuit that could prevent the implementation of a tax increase which would help fund operations at a proposed UT medical school and teaching hospital.
On...
The union representing bus drivers on about half of Capital Metro’s 83 routes voted last week to authorize a potential strike, citing unfair labor practices allegedly committed by the contractor...
The Austin City Council voted to postpone the implementation of a new regulating plan for development in the East Riverside Corridor at its regular
meeting Thursday.
Citing the late hour and council...
The Austin City Council unanimously approved amendments to a city ordinance passed earlier this year banning businesses’ use of plastic bags at the council’s regular meeting Thursday. In March...
The University of Texas at Austin may break ground on a new UT medical school in 2013 after voters approved a property tax increase that will help fund the school and associated teaching hospital, UT officials...
UT is one step closer to establishing a medical school after voters approved a ballot initiative Tuesday that will increase property taxes to partially fund a proposed UT medical school and teaching hospital.
55...
Voters decided to move the City of Austin’s general election from May to November and institute new term limits for the mayor and city council members after voters approved two ballot initiatives...
The City of Austin’s general election may move from May to November and institute new term limits for the mayor and city council members if voters approve two ballot initiatives Nov. 6.
Proposition...
After Austin City Council denied historical status to the former home of a UT physics professor Thursday, the fraternity that owns the house will seek alternatives before it demolishes the building.
The...
Student Government voted Tuesday to make way for a new effort that will support Proposition 1, a Nov. 6 initiative that would bring UT a step closer to a medical school and teaching hospital.
Student...
State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, former chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, expressed support Tuesday for a Nov. 6 ballot initiative that would increase property taxes in order to help...
The founder of a political action committee that opposes Proposition 1 said UT could fund its proposed medical school and teaching hospital without the property tax increase proposed in Proposition 1.
Don...
UT President William Powers Jr. said Monday that UT will not be able to establish a medical school and teaching hospital without the property tax increase proposed by Proposition 1.
In a statement emailed...
Representatives from 20 UT student organizations and the alumni assocation Texas Exes rallied to express support Friday for a contentious Nov. 6 property tax increase UT officials say is the deciding factor...
Parking options for UT home football games remain limited for students and the general public, but Parking and Transportation Services has strategies in place to ensure parking is available for concerts,...
The St. David’s HealthCare network, a Central Texas hospital system with branches in Travis County, will not support a ballot initiative that would help fund a proposed UT teaching hospital and medical...
The Austin City Council will decide whether to implement a new regulating plan for development that could change the face of the East Riverside Corridor.
At its meeting this week, the Austin Planning...
A lawsuit could prevent voting on a ballot initiative that seeks to help fund operations at a proposed UT teaching hospital if a federal court sides against Central Health, Travis County’s hospital...
Austin City Council members may avoid prosecution for allegedly violating the Texas Open Meetings Act by entering into an agreement with the Travis County Attorney’s Office.
Mayor Lee Leffingwell...
