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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 Liz Farmer
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The UT System Board of Regents makes tuition increase decisions

Liz Farmer May 4, 2012

In an unprecedented decision, the UT System Board of Regents declined part of the University’s recommendation to increase tuition at a meeting Thursday, but did not do so for any other UT System...

University’s racial history traces back generations

Liz Farmer May 4, 2012

Editor’s note: This story is the eighth in a series exploring race, racism and diversty on the UT campus. The following stories are meant to be historical snapshots of the University of Texas at...

Regents discuss curricula, real estate

Liz Farmer May 3, 2012

UT System Board of Regents met Wednesday to discuss developments in new curriculum programs along with local real estate deals and the future of MyEdu. The meeting was one of about six regular meetings...

Meeting expected to decide two year tuition rate

Liz Farmer May 1, 2012

The UT System Board of Regents is expected to decide tuition rates for the next two academic years at its meeting Thursday. This is the latest that the regents have set tuition rates for the 15 UT System...

UT reaches million-dollar deal for Players’ land

Liz Farmer April 30, 2012

The University reached a multi-million dollar deal with Players restaurant to purchase its land near the UT AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center. Eventually the University may construct a...

Student Regent Purgason sits down with Daily Texan

Liz Farmer April 27, 2012

The newly appointed UT System Student Regent hopes to improve communication for students between campuses and the UT System Board of Regents. During her college career, she has spent a total of nine years...

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Memorial held for long-time University benefactor

Liz Farmer April 23, 2012

Alumnus Howard Terry, whose foundation has donated millions of dollars worth of University scholarships, died Friday. A group of scholarship recipients gathered at the stadium Sunday to pay tribute to...

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12 hours with Bill Powers

Liz Farmer April 16, 2012

From meeting with big Texas characters to enjoying delicate appetizers, President William Powers Jr. worked from sunrise to sunset Friday, and The Daily Texan went along for the ride. Meetings, speeches...

Board of Regents’ upcoming meeting delays setting tuition rates

Liz Farmer April 12, 2012

The UT System Board of Regents will not set tuition rates for the next two academic years at Thursday’s special called meeting, contrary to the expectations of University administrators. If the...

Committee to review University efficiency

Liz Farmer April 10, 2012

President William Powers Jr. formed a committee this week consisting of 13 business leaders to analyze the University’s efficiency and make cost-cutting recommendations. Three subcommittees will...

UT’s law school ranking drops two positions

Liz Farmer April 6, 2012

The UT law school dropped back out of the prestigious top 14 law schools compiled by the U.S. News & World Rankings, but officials say the drop is not a result of controversial administrative decisions...

Report critiques B-On-Time loan, offers recommendations for promotion

Liz Farmer April 4, 2012

The Texas B-On-Time Loan program is facing criticism and recommendations for possible changes that could make it more widely available depending on the program’s funding. The Sunset Advisory Commission’s...

UT System Board of Regents’ donations cause worry

Liz Farmer March 28, 2012

The UT System Board of Regents’ personal donations to the Texans for Rick Perry campaign totaled more than $1.9 million from 2000 to Jan. 1, according to a Daily Texan analysis of financial reports...

Finalists for VP of Student Affairs office announced

Liz Farmer March 22, 2012

The search committee for the new vice president for Student Affairs has chosen four finalists out of 77 applicants to visit campus in April. The position became available when vice president for Student...

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Clark Field reserved for lacrosse team practice following renovations

Liz Farmer March 21, 2012

The newly renovated Clark Field is now reserved for about 10 hours per week for the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams, leaving students unable to use the field during team practice. Renovations...

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Secretary of Education praises Austin Community College, addresses concerns

Liz Farmer March 9, 2012

The U.S. Secretary of Education praised Austin Community College when he spoke to ACC students and faculty on Thursday. Students asked U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan questions about affordability...

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Army Under Secretary visits UT campus, tours research facilities

Liz Farmer March 9, 2012

The second highest serving U.S. Army adviser visited the University to speak with faculty Thursday about brain and energy research that could help the Army. U.S. Army Under Secretary Joseph Westphal’s...

Groups debate quality, profit in universities

Liz Farmer March 6, 2012

Cost. Affordability. Four-year graduation rates. These buzzwords continue to fly around in the state higher education debate. One group is looking to turn focus to another buzzword ­— excellence. The...

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Texans gather to celebrate Texas Independence Day

Paxton Quade and Liz Farmer March 5, 2012

From readings of Alamo letters to dancing by a folklorico troupe, families celebrated Texas Independence this weekend at the state Capitol and other locations around the state. The non-profit corporation...

Board of Regents to vote on proposed tuition increase at next meeting

Liz Farmer March 2, 2012

The Office of Student Financial Services must use current tuition rates to determine financial aid because the Board of Regents has yet to set a date for its 2012-2014 tuition setting meeting. That means...

Dismissal procedure sheds light on recent UT resignations

Liz Farmer February 29, 2012

The University's forced resignation of two former administrators falls under University employment rules that give the president the power to hire and fire. However, a vice president took the dismissal...

Safety report exposes concerns about UT Southwestern teaching hospital

Liz Farmer February 24, 2012

Numerous safety issues plague the teaching hospital for UT Southwestern Medical Center, according to a recent safety report. Parkland Hospital serves as a workplace for UT Southwestern faculty and as...

U.S. Supreme Court to hear case on UT admission policies

Liz Farmer February 22, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court announced that it will hear a case involving the University’s use of race in undergraduate admissions decisions. The case, Fisher v. Texas, was filed against UT when two white...

Endowments help decrease UT’s financial burdens

Liz Farmer February 20, 2012

Pressure has mounted on faculty in the semesters following the last Texas legislative session, but endowments can ease the increasing financial burdens that may otherwise push faculty away from the University. Endowments...

Plan to increase UT graduation rates realeased

Liz Farmer February 16, 2012

The incoming freshman class has not yet received their acceptance letters, but the University already has a mighty goal for them: to increase four-year graduation rates by about 20 percent. The current...

Board of Regents impose controversial post-tenure review process

Liz Farmer February 10, 2012

The UT System Board of Regents voted to alter the post-tenure review process for faculty members, despite strong opposition from some faculty. The Regents approved the provisions at their Thursday meeting,...

UT Regents approve renovation project for Jester West

Liz Farmer February 10, 2012

Renovations are set to begin on Jester West Residence Hall in 2013 after the UT System Board of Regents approved the $36 million project at the Regents meeting on Thursday. The plan is to renovate two...

University in negotiations to purchase Players land

Liz Farmer February 9, 2012

The University is in negotiations with Players Restaurant to purchase its land near the UT AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center. The UT System Board of Regents approved the University to...

Tuition discussions stay closed to committee members despite requests to open them

Liz Farmer February 6, 2012

The UT System Board of Regents are not set to discuss making Tuition Policy Advisory Committee meetings open to the public as requested by the Young Conservatives of Texas. TPAC is a nine-member committee...

To solve a problem, some task forces are just reactionary

Liz Farmer February 2, 2012

Whenever a controversial issue “hits the fan,” it can seem like UT administrators form a task force to confront the issue head on. But faculty members sometimes wonder if these groups improve...

Student debt incites debate

Liz Farmer January 30, 2012

President Barack Obama proposed incentive-based federal aid in which more affordable colleges receive more aid. UT President William Powers Jr. said the plan is sound, but kinks need to be worked out to...

Mack Brown receives contract extension

Liz Farmer January 27, 2012

After two bumpy years on the field, UT head football coach Mack Brown will remain at the University until at least 2020 after a contract extension approved Thursday. The UT System Board of Regents unanimously...

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Diversity remains issue despite efforts

Maja Dordevic and Liz Farmer January 27, 2012

UT President William Powers, Jr. vowed to make University diversity a priority and work to make the student body better reflect the state population. However, from 2010 to 2011, enrollment of Hispanic...

Conservative group promotes open tuition meetings

Liz Farmer January 25, 2012

The Young Conservatives of Texas called for the UT System Board of Regents to redo the current tuition-setting process at the University and ensure the Tuition Policy Advisory Committee will hold open...

Students dismayed over camping ban on campus

Liz Farmer January 24, 2012

Students and faculty criticized University administration for a new rule restricting camping on campus and questioned the motivation at a time when camping is a prime symbol of the Occupy movement at a...

Student Government hopes to increase graduate representation

Liz Farmer January 23, 2012

 The Student Government president expects to start appointing representatives this week to fill four available graduate student seats in an organization lacking in graduate student members. The student...

Conflict of interest causes UT chief commercialization officer’s resignation

Liz Farmer January 18, 2012

The University’s chief commercialization officer resigned after he followed University advice to avoid conflict of interest when licensing UT technology. His resignation left an empty role in the...

Powers talks tuition in Q&A

Liz Farmer January 17, 2012

The Daily Texan sat down with President William Powers Jr. to discuss the tuition-setting process and his recommendations to increase tuition for the 2012-2014 school year. The UT System regents have the...

Powers recommends maximum tuition increase

Liz Farmer January 17, 2012

President William Powers, Jr. asked the UT System Board of Regents for the largest tuition increase the UT System will allow over the next two academic years. The regents will meet in February or March...

Powers recommending rise in tuition

Liz Farmer December 16, 2011

President William Powers, Jr. asked the UT System Board of Regents on Thursday for the largest tuition increase the UT System will allow during the next two academic years. Students could pay hundreds...

Miscalculation means less financial aid for students

Liz Farmer December 7, 2011

Hundreds of UT undergraduate students did not receive need-based financial aid this fall because of a $3.2 million miscalculation by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, said Tom Melecki, director...

Powers to consider students’ opinion on tuition increases

Liz Farmer December 1, 2011

[Updated at 3:02 p.m: Corrected name of student in caption] Several students demanded President William Powers Jr. explain possible tuition increases. Powers said, “I’ll take the input that...

UT partners with MyEdu despite familial connection

Liz Farmer November 29, 2011

UT System officials were aware of a familial connection between a MyEdu Corp. executive and a former chancellor, according to emails obtained by The Daily Texan through the Texas Public Information Act. The...

Committee sends tuition recommendations to Powers

Liz Farmer November 28, 2011

President William Powers Jr. will receive recommendations today to ask the UT System Board of Regents for the largest tuition increase the regents will allow during the next two academic years. If the...

UT System invests $200 million in oil, gas

Liz Farmer November 22, 2011

The investment firm for the UT System committed $200 million to Post Oak Energy Capital, a company that invests in the North American oil and gas industry. Last week, The University of Texas Investment...

Powers: UT System administration should give clearer academic goals to UT campuses

Liz Farmer November 21, 2011

A state senator said the UT System chancellor did not defend UT-Austin during last spring’s higher education controversy in which faculty productivity came under fire. President William Powers Jr....

Students concerned over possible tuition increase

Liz Farmer November 17, 2011

Students have voiced concerns about possible tuition increases which are intended to improve four-year graduation rates and worry that those goals favor timely graduation rates over quality education. About...

Students may face largest tuition jump

Liz Farmer November 16, 2011

Students may face higher tuition for 2012-2014 as the Tuition Policy Advisory Committee considers increases. The committee is considering recommending the largest tuition increases that the board will...

UT professor authors study examining staff efficiency

Liz Farmer November 14, 2011

On average, University faculty members generate more money than they make with their research and teaching, according to a UT professor who authored a study on faculty instructional and grant-based productivity. The...

State looks to eliminate excess university reports

Liz Farmer November 8, 2011

In partial response to the decrease in state funding, the University is now clarifying and cutting operational reports to government agencies that were previously excessive and confusing, said Mary Knight,...

Budget cuts cause registration difficulties

Liz Farmer November 7, 2011

High demand for classes makes registration a hassle for students, but recent budget cuts make it more difficult for students to get into classes necessary for graduation. Limited classroom space and lack...

English proficiency levels vary among teaching assistants

Liz Farmer November 3, 2011

[Updated at 9:56 p.m., corrected misspelling] To work as a teaching assistant, most international graduate students have to pass an English assessment, but language still creates a disconnect in UT classrooms. Graduate...

UTMB-Galveston taking stand to keep treating Texas inmates

Liz Farmer November 1, 2011

The UT Medical Branch at Galveston’s contract to provide medical care to state inmates may continue with altered conditions or be terminated as the institution extends negotiations involving the...

Board of Regents forms partnership with MyEdu, flusters University faculty

Liz Farmer November 1, 2011

University faculty raised concerns about inconsistencies with the interactive MyEdu website and about how student feedback on the site will be used in faculty evaluations. Multiple faculty members voiced...

Three plans aim to improve higher education

Liz Farmer October 31, 2011

Each party in the Texas higher education debate presents their plan as the correct answer. But are the plans really that different? The Daily Texan compares the three plans meant to enhance the efficiency...

Texas education board adopts new regulations, affecting UT courses

Liz Farmer October 28, 2011

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopted changes to required courses at state institutions at a meeting Thursday. The board denied UT Executive Vice-President and Provost Steven Leslie’s...

University board moves to make in-state transfers easier

Liz Farmer October 28, 2011

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopted changes to required courses at state institutions at a meeting Thursday. The board denied UT Executive Vice-President and Provost Steven Leslie’s...

Graduate students make shift to teaching assistants

Liz Farmer October 27, 2011

As undergraduate students scramble to get spring classes on their schedules, graduate students apply to serve as teaching assistants for those same classes. Each college and school undergoes a different...

Students use Quizlet to aid study

Liz Farmer October 25, 2011

When faced with more than 900 terms to learn for a pharmacy class, one UT student turned to the use of online flashcards that he can distribute among his study group. Pharmacy student Richard Sabel said...

UT Health Science Center SA program put on probation

Liz Farmer October 24, 2011

The undergraduate medical educational program at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio is on probation and must address curriculum issues to remain accredited. After a regular eight-year review...

Rare earthquake surprises San Antonio

Liz Farmer, Jillian Bliss, and Nick Hadjigeorge October 21, 2011

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck 103 miles south of Austin in Karnes County yesterday morning at 7:24, sending tremors throughout downtown San Antonio and as distant as Round Rock. Earthquakes of this...

UT System launches MyEdu partnership to increase efficiency

Liz Farmer October 20, 2011

The UT System announced a partnership Tuesday with the interactive website MyEdu to increase online advising efforts across UT institutions.  The partnership is part of UT System Chancellor Francisco...

President Powers’ job safe after controversy

Liz Farmer October 18, 2011

The UT-Austin president and UT System chancellor’s jobs are safe, according to a statement made by the UT System Board of Regents chair during a Monday forum designed to address questions regarding...

Students who study abroad tend to graduate faster, study finds

Liz Farmer October 17, 2011

Sixty percent of UT students who study abroad graduate in four years, compared to 45 percent of non-participants, according to a study by the assistant director of the Study Abroad Office. A University...

Think tank director defends positions on higher education, research

Liz Farmer October 14, 2011

The Texas Public Policy Foundation, an Austin-based conservative think tank, hired Tom Lindsay as director for their Center for Higher Education. The think tank has suggested that public universities...

Potential tuition increase causes controversy

Liz Farmer October 13, 2011

Students voiced concerns over potential tuition increases at the Tuition Policy Advisory Committee’s first open forum of this tuition-setting term Wednesday. This is the first year the committee...

RAs encounter problems with maintenance, coordination

Liz Farmer October 7, 2011

Environmental safety concerns, a string of burglaries and building disrepair prompted a group of summer resident assistants based in Brackenridge, Roberts and Prather residence halls to submit a report...

Transfer students do not factor into graduation rates

Liz Farmer October 6, 2011

The UT System measures efficiency by calculating the number of students who complete a degree exclusively at specific institutions, but this approach does not account for transfer students. State pressure...

UT Security and Fire Safety reports may indicate greater willingness to report sexual offenses

Nick Hadjigeorge and Liz Farmer October 4, 2011

The number of reported sex offense crimes increased between the years 2008 and 2010, according to the annual UT security and fire safety reports. The report also said 35 fire alarms were activated in 2010,...

Philanthropy crucial to supporting UT system

Liz Farmer October 3, 2011

Editor’s note: This is the last in a four-part, weekly series examining System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa’s plan to increase efficiency across UT institutions. Each of the UT institutions...

Executive vice chancellor for academic affairs resigns

Liz Farmer September 29, 2011

The UT System executive vice chancellor for academic affairs resigned Wednesday. Geosciences professor David Prior has held the position since June 2007 and has been asked to remain in the position until...

Alumni information used to distribute credit card offers

Liz Farmer September 29, 2011

[Corrected Sept. 30: Changed headline] Customer usage of a Longhorn silhouette credit card generates $875,000 per year for the Texas Exes alumni association. The almost 20-year-old corporate agreement...

UT, state officials discuss opening medical school in Austin

Liz Farmer September 26, 2011

[Corrected Sept. 26: Changed cost of educating a resident] Editor’s note: This is the third in a four-part, weekly series examining System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa’s plan to increase...

UT Admissions case appealed to U.S. Supreme Court

Liz Farmer September 21, 2011

A court case about UT’s use of race in the admissions process is being appealed for review by the U.S. Supreme Court. The lawsuit, Fisher v. Texas, was filed against UT when two white students were...

Regents authorize President to negotiate conference realignment

Liz Farmer September 20, 2011

The UT System Board of Regents voted to give the UT-Austin president authority to negotiate entrance into another conference or to remain in the Big 12. The decision was made over a special telephone...

Online presence may trim University fat

Liz Farmer September 19, 2011

Editor’s note: This is the second in a four-part, weekly series examining System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa’s plan to increase efficiency across UT institutions. Online advising will increase...

Campus pays more for Longhorn Network

Liz Farmer September 16, 2011

ESPN is paying the University $300 million over the next 20 years so they can produce the Longhorn Network, but to watch it on campus, students may have to absorb an extra fee being paid to the campus...

System Chancellor emphasizes generating revenue from patents

Liz Farmer September 12, 2011

Editor’s note: This is the first in a four-part, weekly series examining System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa’s plan to increase efficiency across UT institutions. In an effort to increase...

UT alumnus earned Pulitzer Prize for expert 9/11 reporting

Liz Farmer September 9, 2011

While most of the UT community was in shock as they saw the 9/11 attacks, one UT alumnus scrambled to write an article about aviation security that would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize. At the time of...

Task force sets out to improve four-year graduation rate

Liz Farmer September 8, 2011

High school students who are less prepared for college tend to add to an already low four-year graduation rate, according to a recent study by a UT professor. Fifty-one percent of UT students graduate...

UT employs efficiently, needs to work on graduation rates

Liz Farmer September 2, 2011

UT ranks second among public research universities for the number of faculty it employs for every public dollar it receives, according to a study conducted within the University and released Thursday. President...

With construction abound, funds from donors not flowing fast enough

Liz Farmer September 2, 2011

With less than three years remaining, UT’s fundraising effort is behind in meeting its $3 billion goal. UT’s Campaign for Texas began Sept. 1, 2006, with an Aug. 31, 2014, deadline and is...

Board of Regents to build medical school in Lower Rio Grande Valley

Liz Farmer August 31, 2011

UT System Board of Regents allocated a part of a $30 million fund last week to build a medical school in the Lower Rio Grande Valley area to provide education and training for medical students. The process...

Board strives for academic efficiency, UT System collaboration

Liz Farmer August 26, 2011

The UT System Board of Regents approved a framework for increasing institutions’ financial and academic productivity today and allocated $105 million in funding for a new engineering building on...

UT plans to invest in technology commercialization

Liz Farmer August 25, 2011

The UT System Board of Regents convened Wednesday to develop ways to generate more revenue by utilizing technology and research through entrepreneurial outreach. The plan was discussed during the board’s...

Beat the heat

Liz Farmer August 24, 2011

Today will be the 70th day this year with a temperature in the triple digits in Austin, breaking the record of 69 set in 1925, according to the National Weather Service website. These sustained high temperatures...

Board of Regents awards unique, outstanding educators

Liz Farmer August 24, 2011

The University of Texas System will distribute $1.8 million in awards for excellence in teaching to 72 educators, including 33 UT faculty members, today during an on-campus ceremony. Each award presented...

University Health Services cutting costs for budget shortfall

Liz Farmer August 11, 2011

University Health Services has about $230,000 less for the 2011-12 budget than the current year’s budget, said Sherry Bell, senior program coordinator for University Health Services. Bell...

Texas Student Media suffers from budget cuts, low revenue

Liz Farmer August 11, 2011

Many media outlets are experiencing decreased ad revenue, including Texas Student Media, which also faces budget cuts from the state. Jennifer Hammat, assistant vice president of student affairs...

Hogg Foundation funds grant to aid mental health non-profits

Liz Farmer August 5, 2011

Workers who help low-income Houston youth will better understand children’s mental health thanks to grants from UT’s Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. The workers who will be trained...

Additional women’s sexual, reproductive health services to be covered under insurance

Liz Farmer August 4, 2011

Women’s health advocates are celebrating a new set of guidelines from the Obama Administration that require insurance providers to cover a slew of sexual, reproductive and mental health services...

Austin’s proposed budget could cause increase in energy costs, property taxes

Liz Farmer July 28, 2011

The combined utility rate and property tax increase for “typical” Austin residents this year will be approximately $22 more per month, according to the proposed city budget. The Austin...

Flynt’s promotional event for his book faces protesters

Liz Farmer July 27, 2011

Pornography industry leader Larry Flynt met fans and protesters Tuesday night at an event to promote his new book. Flynt, publisher of the pornographic magazine Hustler, spoke about his new book...

Manor Garage solar panels to benefit UT energy research

Liz Farmer and Allison Harris July 25, 2011

Construction on the first large solar panel installation on the main UT campus began Friday. Crews began putting up a support system for the installation on top of Manor Garage on Robert Dedman...

UT researchers explore reasons for Latina teen pregnancy rates

Liz Farmer July 22, 2011

UT research into Latina teen pregnancy rates in Texas shows little difference between attitudes in different ethnic groups about the best time to have a first child, about talking to kids about sex...

Vice president of Student Affairs steps down to focus on teaching

Liz Farmer July 22, 2011

Vice President of Student Affairs Juan González announced that he will no longer serve in an administrative capacity so he can focus on teaching in the College of Education. According to...

Dewhurst announces run for US Senate

Liz Farmer July 22, 2011

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has announced he is running for the U.S. Senate in 2012. Dewhurst announced his campaign Tuesday through an online video in which he focuses on concern with national debt...

‘Gone With the Wind’ dresses undergo restoration at Ransom Center

Liz Farmer July 21, 2011

In “Gone With the Wind,” Scarlett O’Hara braved the Civil War in fashion, but the lavish dresses she donned haven’t retained their rich color. UT’s Harry Ransom Center,...

Sexual assault cases subject of scrutiny by UT researchers

Liz Farmer July 14, 2011

Forensic evidence in sexual assault cases often sits in evidence rooms unexamined, and UT’s School of Social Work professors are doing research for a Justice Department initiative to determine...

Permits grant permission to start building Formula 1 race track in Austin

Liz Farmer July 14, 2011

Circuit of the Americas received permits from Travis County on Wednesday to start construction on buildings for its race track. In 2012, the track is scheduled to host the first Formula 1 race in the...

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