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 Madlin Mekelburg
2015-12-2_Madlin_30_Column_Daulton

Special ventures editor remembers regents, friendships

Madlin Mekelburg December 4, 2015

Of all the pieces I’ve written for The Daily Texan, this is by far the hardest. When you cover a particular beat, you tend to write stories on the same issues over and over again. You find yourself...

Students stage protests, APD receiving body cameras, gender imbalance in Cockrell School

Madlin Mekelburg and Anthony Green December 10, 2014

In this semester finale of The Daily Texan podcast, hosts Anthony Green and Madlin Mekelburg discuss the past week in news including student-led protests against the Eric Garner ruling and UT’s involvement...

SG calls for chief of staff removal, UT criminal trespassing rates, Transfer Student Ad-Hoc Committee established

Anthony Green and Madlin Mekelburg November 25, 2014

In this podcast, Anthony Green and Madlin Mekelburg discuss the week in news including Student Government representatives calling for the removal of SG chief of staff Chris Jordan, criminal trespassing...

LISTEN: Energy conservation, increasing parking rates, bike safety

Anthony Green and Madlin Mekelburg November 19, 2014

In this podcast, Anthony Green and Madlin Mekelburg discuss the University's energy conservation agenda, increasing parking rates and a safety initiative launched by UTPD with guests Alex Wilts and Natalie...

LISTEN: Election results, city council passes Bicycle Master Plan, Board of Regents honor Cigarroa

Madlin Mekelburg and Anthony Green November 11, 2014

In this Podcast, Anthony Green and Madlin Mekelburg discuss election results, city council’s approval of the Bicycle Master Plan, Governor Rick Perry’s court appearance, the TA Task Force’s...

2014-11-06_Greg_Abbott_Marshall_Tidrick28417

Fresh from election night victory, Abbott discusses plans as governor

Madlin Mekelburg November 5, 2014

Governor-elect Greg Abbott reiterated points from his campaign platform and discussed upcoming meetings at a media briefing Wednesday morning.  “It is an honor to have been elected governor...

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Patrick captures lieutenant governor race in big win

Natalie Sullivan and Madlin Mekelburg November 5, 2014

HOUSTON — In a landslide victory, State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, was elected lieutenant governor Tuesday, defeating State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio. Patrick, a Houston radio...

LISTEN: Snapchat introduces new feature, voter ID law upheld, multimillion dollar grant

Anthony Green and Madlin Mekelburg October 27, 2014

In this podcast, Anthony Green and Madlin Mekelburg discuss a $58 million dollar grant given to the Jackson School of Geosciences, the Supreme Court decision to uphold Texas' controversial voter ID...

LISTEN: Voter ID reinstated, Dallas nurses contract Ebola, two provisions of House Bill 2 on hold

Madlin Mekelburg and Anthony Green October 20, 2014

In this podcast, Anthony Green and Madlin Mekelburg discuss the reinstatement of the controversial state voter ID law, the impending launch of Google Fiber in Austin and the ongoing Ebola epidemic in West...

LISTEN: Guaranteed tuition enrollment low, Apollo 12 astronaut visits campus, SG resolutions against sound ordinances, residential burglaries near campus

Anthony Green and Madlin Mekelburg October 5, 2014

In this podcast, Anthony Green and Madlin Mekelburg discuss former Apollo 12 astronaut and UT alumnus Alan Bean’s visit to campus, the auction of Charles Whitman’s sniper rifle and UT's...

LISTEN: JP’s Java closing, GSA appoints Vice President, APD/UTPD tout diversity

Madlin Mekelburg and Anthony Green September 20, 2014

In this podcast, Anthony Green and Madlin Mekelburg are joined by crime reporter Natalie Sullivan to discuss City Council member Chris Riley's attempts to legalize ride sharing services Lyft and Uber,...

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Panelists discuss partisan politics at Tribune Fest

Madlin Mekelburg September 20, 2014

Panelists discussed the current state of American government and the influence of  extreme partisan divides at the "Can the Center Hold?" keynote discussion at the 2014 Tribune Festival...

Speaker Joe Straus criticizes Board of Regents, admissions investigation at Tribune Festival

Madlin Mekelburg September 20, 2014

Joe Straus, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, discussed controversies regarding the UT System Board of Regents and 2015 legislative session at the 2014 Texas Tribune Festival on Saturday. Held...

LISTEN: Department of Mexican American Studies established, MOOC completion rates remain low

Madlin Mekelburg and Anthony Green September 15, 2014

In this podcast, Anthony Green and Madlin Mekelburg discuss the suspension of sophomore basketball guard Martez Walker, the Departmentalization of the Center for Mexican American Studies and "Thread"...

DOM_2014-08-28_Abortion_Protest_Sarah

Protesters arrested for obstructing traffic on the Drag

Madlin Mekelburg August 28, 2014

Five people were arrested on Guadalupe Street on Wednesday for obstructing traffic while protesting looming closures of abortion clinics in Texas.  The protesters are from the activist organization...

2014-04-30_Regents_charlie

Gov. Perry backs Regent Hall as transparency committee discusses articles of impeachment

Anthony Green and Madlin Mekelburg May 21, 2014

While a state legislative committee discussed drafting articles of impeachment against UT System Regent Wallace Hall in exectuive session, Gov. Rick Perry issued a statement in support of Hall . The...

2014-04-30_Regents_charlie

Board of Regents Chairman Paul Foster asks Regent Wallace Hall to resign

Jacob Kerr and Madlin Mekelburg May 15, 2014

In a major step away from the private, behind-the-scenes disagreements among the members of the UT System Board of Regents, board Chairman Paul Foster publicly asked Regent Wallace Hall to resign at the...

2014-05-14_board_of_regents_tuition_meeting_charlie

UT System Board of Regents increase out-of-state undergraduate tuition, hold off discussion of in-state

Jacob Kerr and Madlin Mekelburg May 14, 2014

Two years after freezing in-state tuition for UT-Austin students, the UT System Board of Regents approved tuition increases for out-of-state undergraduate students at the University and tabled the...

2014-05-12_Regent_Hall_Hearing_Amy

Updated: House transparency committee concludes grounds exist for Regent Wallace Hall’s impeachment

Jacob Kerr and Madlin Mekelburg May 12, 2014

Updated (2:56 p.m.): In a statement distributed by attorney Allan Van Fleet, Regent Wallace Hall said his impeachment would not solve the problems he has identified at UT System institutions. "When...

2014-04-30_Regents_charlie

Updated: Co-chair of transparency committee calls Regent Hall’s actions “a slap in the face”

Jordan Rudner and Madlin Mekelburg May 12, 2014

Updated (11:45 a.m.): During the opening remarks of the House transparency committee hearing Monday, Rep. Dan Flynn, committee co-chair and R-Canton, described Regent Wallace Hall’s actions...

2014-05-06_Faculty_Council_Meeting_Jonathan

Faculty Council approves proposal that would start Thanksgiving break on Wednesday

Madlin Mekelburg May 5, 2014

Faculty Council approved a proposal to extend Thanksgiving break by one day at its meeting Monday. The proposal will now be sent for approval by all faculty members. According to the proposal, Thanksgiving...

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Updated: Man dies of self-inflicted gunshot wound at Littlefield Fountain

Update (2:19 p.m.): In response to a man’s death by suicide Sunday night in front of Littlefield Fountain, the Counseling and Mental Health Center is making active attempts to spread word...

2014-02-06_Board_of_Regents_Amy

UT System Regent records executive session meeting

Madlin Mekelburg April 30, 2014

UT System Regent Alex Cranberg recorded a closed session meeting of the Board of Regents in August, without the knowledge of System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa, who was present for the meeting. System...

House transparency committee to vote on whether to recommend Regent Wallace Hall’s impeachment

Madlin Mekelburg April 25, 2014

The Texas House committee investigating UT System Regent Wallace Hall will meet May 12 to vote on whether there are grounds to recommend Hall’s impeachment.  State Rep. Carol Alvarado,...

2014-04-24_Shared_Services_Protest_Sam

Eighteen students arrested after protesting Shared Services Plan

Adam Hamze, Jacob Kerr, and Madlin Mekelburg April 24, 2014

Eighteen Save Our Community Coalition members were arrested while participating in a sit-in against Shared Services in front of President William Powers Jr.’s office, following a more than 200-person...

House transparency committee hearing canceled

Madlin Mekelburg April 23, 2014

The house transparency committee investigating the actions of UT System Regent Wallace Hall canceled a hearing scheduled for Wednesday. The House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations...

2014-04-23_Student_Regent_Max_Richards_charlie

Rick Perry names UT government junior Max Richards as new UT System student regent

Madlin Mekelburg April 22, 2014

Gov. Rick Perry named UT-Austin government junior Max Richards as the student regent for the UT System Board of Regents on Tuesday. Richards will be the second consecutive student regent from the University,...

2014-04-22-Med_School_Groundbreaking_Jonathan

University begins Dell Medical School construction

Madlin Mekelburg April 22, 2014

The University launched construction of the Dell Medical School on Monday during a groundbreaking ceremony with state, city and University officials in attendance. The medical school will feature an...

2014-04-21_UT_System_Pilot_Amy

UT System pilot has best office on and off campus

Madlin Mekelburg April 21, 2014

Rick Khalar is the chief pilot of the UT System’s Beechcraft King Air 350, a nine-passenger airplane with swiveling chairs, tinted windows and a toilet disguised as a seat. “I have the best...

2014-04-18_Shared_Services_Vlach_Miriam

College of Liberal Arts’ centralization leads to layoffs

Madlin Mekelburg April 18, 2014

Though Kevin Hegarty, UT executive vice president and chief financial officer, said no layoffs will occur in UT’s move toward shared services, centralization within the College of Liberal Arts...

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A year after the fertilizer explosion, West rebuilds

Madlin Mekelburg April 17, 2014

WEST — One year after a fertilizer plant exploded, killing 15 people and injuring more than 300, the residents of West are rebuilding.  West, a farming town located approximately 20 miles...

Regent Hall case sent to county prosecutors

Madlin Mekelburg April 15, 2014

Allegations that UT System Regent Wallace Hall mishandled private student information and potentially violated state privacy laws have been referred to Travis County prosecutors, according to reports from...

2014-04-14_Shared_Services_Shelby

More than 100 faculty members oppose Shared Services in letter to President Powers

Madlin Mekelburg April 14, 2014

President William Powers Jr. received a letter signed by more than 100 faculty members opposing Shared Services on Tuesday.  The letter — authored by radio-television-film senior lecturer...

2014-04-10_OBAMA_charlie

In keynote address, President Barack Obama highlights LBJ’s commitment to government as force for good

Madlin Mekelburg April 10, 2014

President Barack Obama applauded the legacy of former President Lyndon B. Johnson and emphasized Johnson’s belief that government plays an important role in promoting equality during his keynote...

2014-04-10_President_Powers_Jonathan

President Powers: UT has historically been on the “wrong side” of civil rights argument

Madlin Mekelburg April 9, 2014

UT President William Powers Jr. said although the University has made great strides in advancing civil rights, historically, UT has been on the “wrong side” of the argument. “The University...

UT System selects architect for new building

Madlin Mekelburg April 9, 2014

The UT System has selected “Page/,” an Austin architectural firm, as project architect for the construction of the new System headquarters downtown.  The System will consolidate its...

Turnout low for first day of Civil Rights Summit

Madlin Mekelburg April 9, 2014

According to individuals at the Civil Rights Summit, attendance was low during the three panels held Tuesday, the first day of the summit. The summit is being held at the LBJ Auditorium, which seats...

2014-04-09_LBJ_Gay_Marriage_Panel_Jonathan

Prop 8 attorneys discuss same-sex marriage during Civil Rights Summit panel

Madlin Mekelburg April 8, 2014

Though attorneys David Boies and Theodore Olson once argued against each other in front of the Supreme Court, they said they are of one mind about the constitutionality of same-sex marriage. Boies and...

Report: Draft of transparency committee report indicates Regent Hall likely committed impeachable offenses

Madlin Mekelburg April 7, 2014

Update (1:16 p.m.): Rusty Hardin, special counsel to the committee, said the draft of the report was sent to state Reps. Dan Flynn, R-Canton, and Carol Alvarado, D-Houston , the co-chairs of the committee,...

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Civil Rights Summit venue leaves large audience vying for relatively few seats

Madlin Mekelburg April 7, 2014

Although more than 9,000 students applied for tickets to the three-day Civil Rights Summit happening this week, it will be held in an auditorium that seats 967 people. Tickets to the summit, which...

Report: Chancellor Cigarroa asked President Powers to resign in summer 2013

Madlin Mekelburg April 3, 2014

UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa asked President William Powers Jr. to step down from his position last summer, according to notes taken during an executive session of the UT System Board of Regents...

President Powers endorses Shared Services recommendations

Madlin Mekelburg April 3, 2014

President William Powers Jr. endorsed the final report and recommendations produced by the Shared Services Steering Committee in a letter dated Monday.  In the letter, addressed to the UT community,...

President Powers endorses Shared Services recommendations

Madlin Mekelburg April 2, 2014

President William Powers Jr. endorsed the final report and recommendations produced by the Shared Services Steering Committee in a letter dated March 31.  In the letter, addressed to the UT community,...

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University unveils new initiatives to increase four-year graduation rates

Madlin Mekelburg April 2, 2014

The University is introducing new efforts to increase four-year graduation rates following the highest freshman retention rates in UT history last fall. David Laude, senior vice provost for Enrollment...

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Student tuition proposal includes guaranteed tuition plan

Madlin Mekelburg April 1, 2014

In their proposal that recommends increasing tuition for all in-state undergraduate students by 2.6 percent and for all out-of-state undergraduate students by 3.6 percent, the seven student leaders on...

Tuition committee receives extension

Madlin Mekelburg March 26, 2014

The UT System extended the deadline for a student ad hoc committee to submit a tuition proposal after UT administrators formally requested an extension.  The proposal, originally due Wednesday,...

UT System continues search for new chancellor

Madlin Mekelburg March 26, 2014

The UT System has not moved any closer to finding a new chancellor since hiring an executive search firm on March 12, according to System spokeswoman Jenny LaCoste-Caputo.  In February, Chancellor...

Updated: UT System granted deadline extension for tuition proposal after a University request

Madlin Mekelburg March 25, 2014

Updated (5:34 p.m.):  According to Kevin Hegarty, the University's executive vice president and chief financial officer, the UT System extended the deadline for the tuition proposal after...

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Adm. William McRaven, leader of raid that killed Osama bin Laden, to deliver spring commencement address

Madlin Mekelburg March 25, 2014

Naval Adm. William McRaven will deliver the address at UT’s Spring Commencement on May 18, the University announced Monday afternoon.  McRaven, known for his leadership of the military operation...

Regents approve $50 million to help construct world’s largest visual telescope

Madlin Mekelburg March 24, 2014

This story was originally written on March 7, 2014. The UT System Board of Regents authorized the University to contribute $50 million from its research reserves to the Giant Magellan Telescope project...

Faculty reviewing changes to course evaluation forms

Madlin Mekelburg March 21, 2014

Faculty Council is continuing discussion on a mandate from a UT System task force to add five questions to course evaluation forms and may approve the changes at its next meeting in April. The System...

UT alumnus, former Democratic chairman Robert Strauss dies at 95

Madlin Mekelburg March 20, 2014

Robert Strauss, UT alumnus and former Democratic Party leader, died in his Washington, D.C., home on Wednesday. He was 95.  Strauss, who received his undergraduate and law degree from UT, worked...

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Facing opposition, Shared Services takes shape at UT

Madlin Mekelburg March 18, 2014

Administrators call the program a cost-saving, centralization initiative. Student protestors and some members of faculty council claim the plan will “dehumanize” certain University services,...

2014-02-06_Board_of_Regents_Amy

Regent Wallace Hall accused of lambasting UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa

Madlin Mekelburg March 18, 2014

In an email to UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa, Paul Foster, chairman of the UT System Board of Regents, suggested Regent Wallace Hall accused Cigarroa of not doing his job weeks before Cigarroa...

2014-03-17_SXSWCrash_Greg_Pu

UT students injured in SXSW crash recount memories of the collision

Jordan Rudner and Madlin Mekelburg March 17, 2014

Just after midnight Thursday, Rashad Owens drove a car through the South By Southwest crowd on Red River Street and hit 23 people in less than a minute, according to police. Three of those victims —...

2014-03-06-cameron_crane_student_regent_Lauren

Biology junior Cameron Crane a finalist for student regent position

Madlin Mekelburg March 6, 2014

Human biology junior Cameron Crane is one of four finalists for the student regent position on the UT System Board of Regents. Crane is the only current UT student who is a finalist, according to the...

Shared Services Steering Committee submits recommendations to President Powers

Madlin Mekelburg March 6, 2014

The Shared Services Steering Committee sent a report to President William Powers Jr. on Wednesday with recommendations for the implementation of the Shared Services Plan.  Powers is currently...

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Former Washington Post editor R.B. Brenner to head journalism school

Madlin Mekelburg March 6, 2014

R.B. Brenner, deputy director of the journalism program at Stanford University, will be the new director of the School of Journalism in the Moody College of Communication starting in August, according...

2014-03-05_Greg_Abott_Shelby

Greg Abbott highlights education, diversity as general election begins

Madlin Mekelburg March 5, 2014

SAN ANTONIO — After securing a predictable win in the Republican gubernatorial primary elections Tuesday night, Attorney General Greg Abbott spoke to a crowd of at least 300 people at his...

New UT System building to lease space to retailers

Madlin Mekelburg March 3, 2014

The UT System will lease out more than 50,000 square feet of its new consolidated building to retailers.  Last week, the System announced administrative services and employees in downtown Austin...

UT System buildings to be consolidated into new $102 million building

Madlin Mekelburg February 28, 2014

UT System employees and services will be consolidated into one new building on Seventh Street between Lavaca and Colorado streets in downtown Austin.  Currently, the System operates out of five...

President Obama to speak at Civil Rights Summit

Madlin Mekelburg February 28, 2014

President Barack Obama will deliver a keynote address at the LBJ Library and Presidential Museum’s Civil Rights Summit in April celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964....

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President Barack Obama to deliver keynote address at on-campus Civil Rights Summit

Madlin Mekelburg February 27, 2014

President Barack Obama will deliver a keynote address at the LBJ Library and Presidential Museum’s Civil Rights Summit in April, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964....

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College of Liberal Arts distances itself from sociology professor Mark Regnerus’ statements

Madlin Mekelburg February 27, 2014

The College of Liberal Arts released a statement stating the opinions presented by associate sociology professor Mark Regnerus do not reflect the beliefs of the University.  Liberal arts...

2014-02-21_Child_Development_Center_Jonathan

Child development center teaches children of students, faculty and staff

Madlin Mekelburg February 26, 2014

While UT students across campus spend their days studying, there are more than 400 children finger painting, solving puzzles, playing catch and eating snacks at the UT Child Development Center.  The...

2014-02-24_Texas_Memorial_Museum_Zoe

Texas Memorial Museum budget restructuring to remain unaffected by Faculty Council resolution

Madlin Mekelburg February 25, 2014

A recent budget cutting decision by the College of Natural Sciences would not only impact the budget of the Texas Memorial Museum but are instead targeted at the entire Texas Natural Science Center, which...

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Registration order to be based on degree progress instead of credit hours starting April

Madlin Mekelburg February 24, 2014

When students register for fall classes starting in April, registration-access time will be determined by how close students are to completing their degree — not their classification. David Laude,...

University energy plant to be expanded

Madlin Mekelburg February 21, 2014

The University will install a new energy plant by 2016 to support the needs of the Dell Medical School. Juan Ontiveros, executive director of Utilities and Energy Management, said the new plant will...

Campus Climate Response Team releases first report

Madlin Mekelburg February 21, 2014

The Campus Climate Response Team, or CCRT, released its first report Thursday of reported bias-related incidents that occurred from August 2012 to August 2013, which revealed nearly half of the reports...

UT System Administration complex to be smoke- and tobacco-free

Madlin Mekelburg February 20, 2014

UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa announced that all System Administration buildings in Austin will be smoke- and tobacco-free, starting March 15. Cigarroa made the announcement Tuesday in...

Graduate Student Assembly requests more information about Shared Services

Madlin Mekelburg February 20, 2014

Graduate Student Assembly passed a resolution requesting more information about the Shared Services Plan at its meeting Wednesday.  The resolution calls for the addition of one graduate student...

University to launch eighth MOOC despite retention challenges

Madlin Mekelburg February 18, 2014

On Tuesday, the University launched its eighth massive open online course — better known as MOOC — “Effective Thinking Through Mathematics,” which will be taught by mathematics...

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Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton to headline Civil Rights Summit at LBJ Library in April

Madlin Mekelburg February 17, 2014

Former U.S. presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton will be among those on campus for a Civil Rights Summit in April to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the LBJ Library...

General counsel Rusty Hardin makes more than $150,000 for work in investigation of Wallace Hall

Madlin Mekelburg February 14, 2014

On Feb. 6, the State of Texas authorized the payment of $157,803 to Rusty Hardin — general counsel for the House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations — for his work in...

2014_02_11_Cigarroa_Shelby

UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa says resignation not result of regent conflict

Madlin Mekelburg and Jordan Rudner February 10, 2014

At a press conference Monday morning, UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa announced he will be stepping down as chancellor because he feels he has completed significant work on the goals he originally...

2013_12_12_Regents_Charlie

UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa to announce resignation

Madlin Mekelburg and Jordan Rudner February 10, 2014

UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa, who has served in the position since 2009, will resign at a specially called press conference Monday. Cigarroa will stay in his current role until a replacement...

2014-02-10_Accenture_Protest_Jenna

Several hundred protest against University’s relationship with Accenture

Nicole Bueno and Madlin Mekelburg February 7, 2014

Several hundred students, faculty and community members marched across campus in protest of the University’s Shared Services Plan, despite campus being closed for “winter weather”...

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Kevin Hegarty responds to Faculty Council request for Shared Services information

Madlin Mekelburg February 7, 2014

Kevin Hegarty, executive vice president and chief financial officer, submitted a response to a Faculty Council resolution requesting more information about the Shared Services Plan on Thursday morning. In...

2014-02-06_Board_of_Regents_Amy

Regents approve Foster’s transparency recommendations

Madlin Mekelburg February 7, 2014

The UT System Board of Regents approved Chairman Paul Foster’s recommendations for transparency and approved the establishment of a Task Force on Intellectual Property at their meeting Thursday. Foster’s...

Record-high four engineering professors elected to National Academy of Engineering

Madlin Mekelburg February 7, 2014

On Thursday, National Academy of Engineering announced that four professors in the Cockrell School of Engineering were elected to the academy this year. Those elected were Gregory Fenves, provost and...

Texas Affordable Baccalaureate Degree Program offers low-cost alternative to college degree

Madlin Mekelburg February 6, 2014

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board announced Wednesday the launch of the Texas Affordable Baccalaureate Degree Program as a “low-cost alternative” to a college degree. The program,...

UT System Board of Regents committee approves medical school plans, computing center project

Madlin Mekelburg February 6, 2014

The Facilities Planning and Construction Committee of the UT System Board of Regents approved plans for the Texas Advanced Computing Center Office Building project and the first phase of the Dell Medical...

2013_12_12_Regents_Charlie

Regents to discuss Dell Medical School, recommendations to improve transparency

Madlin Mekelburg February 5, 2014

At its February meeting Wednesday and Thursday, the UT System Board of Regents is scheduled to discuss plans for the Dell Medical School and recommendations made by Chairman Paul Foster to improve transparency...

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UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa responds to transparency committee’s information requests

Madlin Mekelburg February 4, 2014

In a 22-page letter accompanied by 97 pages of notes made public Monday, UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa responded to requests for System-related information made by the House committee investigating...

Accenture’s role in Shared Services unclear to many

Madlin Mekelburg January 29, 2014

As the University develops its Shared Services Plan, members of the UT community continue to debate the role of management-consulting company Accenture in the plan’s implementation.  The...

2014-01-28_Facultymeeting_Shelby

Faculty Council requests more information about Shared Services

Madlin Mekelburg January 28, 2014

At its meeting Monday, Faculty Council passed a resolution requesting more information about Shared Services, which is a plan to consolidate a number of University services. The resolution, authored...

UT system website catalogues student earnings and debt after graduation

Madlin Mekelburg January 23, 2014

To better understand student earning and debt after graduation, the UT System will be gathering data about students who are one year and five years out of school and publish the findings on a new website,...

2014-01-22_Glynda_Groth_Daniel

Engineering Student Life director retires after 26 years

Madlin Mekelburg January 22, 2014

Although she changed her major in college to avoid taking a single math class, Glynda Groth-Putnam has made a home in the Engineering Student Life office. At the end of January, Groth-Putnam will retire...

2014-01-22_Med_Admin_Shelby

University appoints Clay Johnston as inaugural dean of Dell Medical School

Madlin Mekelburg January 21, 2014

After a nine-month search by a committee including educators, health professionals and students, the University introduced Clay Johnston as the inaugural dean of the Dell Medical School on Tuesday morning. Johnston,...

President Powers attends White House event on college opportunity

Madlin Mekelburg January 17, 2014

UT President William Powers Jr. attended the president’s and first lady’s Call to Action on College Opportunity event Thursday in Washington D.C. According to Gene Sperling, director of...

Blackboard acquires MyEdu preceding UT’s transition to Canvas

Madlin Mekelburg January 17, 2014

MyEdu, a free online platform that helps students organize their classes and view career opportunities, has been acquired by Blackboard, a learning-management system from which the University is in the...

UT System private counsel said Hall did not violate state law

Madlin Mekelburg January 16, 2014

In a report released earlier this week, private legal counsel representing the UT System concluded there was “no credible evidence” that Regent Wallace Hall violated a state law regarding the...

McDonald Observatory announces new director

Jordan Rudner and Madlin Mekelburg January 15, 2014

Astronomer Taft Armandroff was announced as the new director of UT’s McDonald Observatory on Monday. Armandroff will replace current director and astronomy professor David Lambert, who announced...

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Astronomer Taft Armandroff named new director of UT’s McDonald Observatory

Madlin Mekelburg January 14, 2014

Astronomer Taft Armandroff was announced as the new director of UT’s McDonald Observatory on Monday. Armandroff will replace current director and astronomy professor David Lambert, who announced...

2014-01-14_Belo_Fire_Jonathan

Brush fire causes evacuation at Belo Center for New Media

Nicole Cobler and Madlin Mekelburg January 13, 2014

The Belo Center for New Media was evacuated Monday after a bush caught fire outside the building. The fire, which affected several bushes lining the sidewalk on Dean Keeton Street, did not appear to damage...

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UT System Board of Regents approve five-year contract for Charlie Strong

Garrett Callahan and Madlin Mekelburg January 13, 2014

At a specially called meeting Monday morning, the UT System Board of Regents unanimously approved new football head coach Charlie Strong’s five-year contract and authorized President William Powers...

Shared Services subcommittee to explore small-scale implementation

Madlin Mekelburg January 13, 2014

Despite concerns voiced by faculty and staff, the Shared Services Steering Committee will hear recommendations for the implementation of a Shared Services pilot program next week. The Shared Services...

2013-11-15_Regents_meeting_Joe

Transparency committee to monitor UT System through directives

Madlin Mekelburg January 13, 2014

In a letter to UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa, the committee investigating the actions of Regent Wallace Hall stated it will continue to “exercise its oversight authority” over the...

2013_12_12_Regents_Charlie

In testimony, President Powers estimates cost of Regent Hall’s records exceed $1 million

Sarah White and Madlin Mekelburg December 19, 2013

Following testimony from UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa and President William Powers Jr. on Wednesday, state legislators said they would be ready to make a recommendation on Regent Wallace Hall’s...

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