Skip to Main Content
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 Neha Madhira
2016-07-10_Tower_Fountain_Stock_Zoe

Fall 2020: Looking Forward

Campus UT will offer almost 60% of spring classes online with a similar number of courses having online, hybrid and in-person modality as in the fall semester. Students living in residence halls may...

2016-07-10_Tower_Fountain_Stock_Zoe

Fall 2020: Looking Back

University The UT System Board of Regents unanimously approved Jay Hartzell as permanent president of the University on Sept. 21 after he served as interim president since June 1.  Campus Due...

2020-10-13_Early Voting_Kirsten

Ballots cast in Travis County jumps by 125,000 in 2020 election compared to 2016

Skye Seipp and Neha Madhira November 5, 2020

Around 125,000 more ballots were cast in Travis County for the 2020 general election than during the 2016 election.  In 2016, 477,588 ballots were cast, while 602,398 were cast this year. Among...

Gina_2016-04-02_Gina_Hinojosa_Juan

Democrat Gina Hinojosa wins Texas House District 49 with 53% of votes

Neha Madhira November 4, 2020

Texas House Member Democrat Gina Hinojosa was winning Texas’s District 49 with 53% as of 11:10 p.m. Tuesday evening, according to Decision Desk.  Hinojosa has represented District 49 for...

2020-10-13_Early Voting_Kirsten

More than 9,000 ballots cast at UT-Austin polling locations during first week of early voting

Neha Madhira October 23, 2020

Around 9,000 people voted at UT’s two polling locations since early voting began Oct. 13, according to the Travis County Clerk website as of Monday evening. Overall, 234,016 people have voted...

1020_Asynch_MeganClarke

French, Italian language departments combine asynchronous, synchronous online class structure

Neha Madhira October 20, 2020

Italian and French departments are teaching their classes through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous class structures and have found mixed results in learning a language online.  Nancy...

electionvote_cynthiatrevino

Texas 2020 General Election: What you need to know to vote early

Neha Madhira October 16, 2020

Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election begins Tuesday, which will include voting for the U.S. presidential election and the U.S. senate election.  Travis County residents can vote at polling...

Senate debate_courtesy of neha madhira

John Cornyn, MJ Hegar discuss COVID-19, Black Lives Matter movement at U.S. Senate debate

Neha Madhira October 10, 2020

Republican incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Democrat candidate MJ Hegar discussed issues such as COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement Friday night during the United States Senate debate. The first...

UTTower_MG_4162_Jamie

UT President Jay Hartzell announces diversity and inclusion updates, ‘Eyes of Texas’ committee

Neha Madhira October 6, 2020

UT President Jay Hartzell announced Tuesday UT’s plans and progress in engaging the University in conversations about campus culture, including creating a committee to “chronicle the full history”...

0505_Mail_in_ballot_ValeriaTrevino

Texas counties can only have one mail-in ballot location, according to new Abbott proclamation

Neha Madhira October 1, 2020

All Texas counties can have only one location for dropping off mail-in ballots by hand starting Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott said in a proclamation Thursday.  The parking garage at 700 Lavaca St. will...

ttf_fauci_screenshot

COVID-19 vaccine to ‘likely’ be available by end of 2020, Fauci says at 2020 Texas Tribune Festival

Neha Madhira September 29, 2020

More uniform government responses to COVID-19 may have helped limit the pandemic’s reach in the United States, infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said Tuesday afternoon during a live recording.  As...

holographic_courtesy_of_CatenyaMchenry

UT-Austin McCombs School of Business implements holographic professors

Neha Madhira September 24, 2020

The McCombs School of Business has partnered with Austin-based company Contextual Content Group to project “holographic professors” into classrooms to make digital learning better for students,...

HARTZELL_2018-12_01_McCombs_Honors_Canfield_Eddie

UT System Board of Regents appoints Jay Hartzell as UT-Austin permanent president

Anna Canizales and Neha Madhira September 23, 2020

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information from a Wednesday afternoon press briefing.  The UT Board of Regents unanimously approved Jay Hartzell as the permanent president...

txtrib

2 state representatives discuss whether Texas House will flip from red to blue at 2020 Texas Tribune Festival

Neha Madhira September 22, 2020

State Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin, said there are over two dozen Democrat-affiliated groups working to flip the Texas House of Representatives from red to blue in the November election. Israel and State...

Cathedral_of_health equity_Courtesy_of_Linda_Burns

Health Equity Strategic Map to be implemented at Dell Medical School

Neha Madhira September 17, 2020

Dell Medical School is implementing the Health Equity Strategic Map, a five-category plan focused on reducing health inequalities in medical education and research, according to its website.  Health...

0911_wampus_clusters_MarissaXiong

About 100 COVID-19 cases reported Thursday in West Campus, UT-Austin says

Neha Madhira and Amanda Figueroa-Nieves September 15, 2020

Editor’s note: This is an update to a story that was originally published on Sept. 10. UT reported three coronavirus case clusters in West Campus with collectively about 100 positive cases on...

TTF_hartzell_courtesy_of_Neha Madhira

UT Interim President Jay Hartzell discusses plans for leading campus at Texas Tribune Festival

Neha Madhira September 14, 2020

Campus life this fall is a little surreal, and it feels like a poorly attended day in the summer, UT Interim President Jay Hartzell said.  Hartzell sat down to talk about his plans for handling...

testing stats_SierraWiggers

UHS says positivity rate from clinical tests too complex to report

Neha Madhira September 10, 2020

Calculating the number of COVID-19 tests administered through University Health Services and their average positivity rate would be too complex because of pop-up testing sites and other rules about self-reporting,...

tribfest house agenda

Texas House Representatives discuss pandemic, 87th Texas Legislature during Texas Tribune Festival

Neha Madhira September 7, 2020

While uncertainty still remains about the next Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, legislators say the first thing to remember for the Texas House is getting things done. To kick off the...

0904_Ventilation_NatHadaway

UT-Austin implements new building certification processes to prevent coronavirus spread

Neha Madhira September 4, 2020

Since the University reopened for the fall semester, new building certification processes were put in place to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, a University spokesperson said.  Every building reopened...

Beanbag_SierraWiggers

‘We started seeing skull fractures and brain bleeding’: Dell Medical School researchers find beanbag rounds cause serious harm

Neha Madhira August 27, 2020

“Less lethal” beanbag rounds Austin Police Department used during protests against police brutality in May and June can cause serious injuries, according to a report Dell Medical School researchers...

Wampus_P1030211_Kirsten

West Campus restaurants adapt hours, close due to COVID-19

Neha Madhira August 27, 2020

Restaurants on The Drag and in West Campus have closed or changed their hours in the past months to accomodate for COVID-19 and the lack of customers.  Many businesses also implemented new guidelines...

0822_Consortium_NatHadaway

Texas Global Health Security Innovation Consortium created to alleviate COVID-19, future pandemic effects

Neha Madhira August 25, 2020

More than 50 organizations across Texas have partnered together to form the Texas Global Health Security Innovation Consortium to alleviate the effects of COVID-19 and future pandemics.  The consortium...

2020_08_13_Screenshot_ACC_meeting

Austin City Council approves city’s annual budget, cutting $150 million from Austin Police Department

Lauren Goodman and Neha Madhira August 13, 2020

Update as of 8/15 at 4:39 p.m.: Austin Police Chief Brian Manley hosted a virtual media briefing Thursday about the new budget passed by the Austin City Council, saying the budget cuts would result...

0428_mutualaid_RockyHigine

How students can receive financial relief amid coronavirus pandemic

Neha Madhira May 1, 2020

Editor’s note: This story is part of The Daily Texan’s coverage of how coronavirus concerns are affecting UT-Austin. Read the rest of our coverage here. UT’s Texas One Stop, the Office...

web-Fricanos_2020-04-22_Fricanos_Jamie

Fricano’s Deli permanently closes amid COVID-19 crisis

Neha Madhira April 23, 2020

Editor’s note: This story is part of The Daily Texan’s coverage of how coronavirus concerns are affecting UT-Austin. Read the rest of our coverage here. Fricano’s Deli, a well-known...

ABBOTT_12PM_PRESSER_Amna

Gov. Abbott announces $50 million loans to small businesses, plans reopening business amid COVID-19

Neha Madhira April 13, 2020

Editor’s note: This story is part of The Daily Texan’s coverage of how coronavirus concerns are affecting UT-Austin. Read the rest of our coverage here. Gov. Greg Abbott announced a partnership...

Orientation_2018-06-12_UT_Orientation_Naveen

UT-Austin moves summer orientation sessions online

Neha Madhira April 8, 2020

Editor’s note: This story is part of The Daily Texan’s coverage of how coronavirus concerns are affecting UT-Austin. Read the rest of our coverage here. UT-Austin has moved all summer new...

title_IX_2019-09-17-Faculty Council Meeting_Jamie

UT-Austin President Gregory Fenves leaving to serve as Emory University president, reports say

Neha Madhira April 7, 2020

UT-Austin President Gregory Fenves is expected to announce his departure from UT to become president of Emory University, according to The Texas Tribune and 247Sports.  Elaine Justice, Emory University’s...

Tower3_Jack

211 UT-Austin students went to Cabo for spring break, 49 tested positive for COVID-19

Neha Madhira April 4, 2020

Editor’s note: This story is part of The Daily Texan’s coverage of how coronavirus concerns are affecting UT-Austin. Read the rest of our coverage here. Forty-nine students who returned...

Abott3_Amna

Gov. Abbott issues executive order that those traveling from New York Tri-State area and New Orleans must self-quarantine

Neha Madhira March 26, 2020

Editor’s note: This story is part of The Daily Texan’s coverage of how coronavirus concerns are affecting UT-Austin. Read the rest of our coverage here. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive...

2015-05-22_Commencement_Daulton

UT-Austin to hold virtual commencement in May, postpones in-person commencement

Neha Madhira March 25, 2020

Editor’s note: This story is part of The Daily Texan’s coverage of how coronavirus concerns are affecting UT-Austin. Read the rest of our coverage here. The University will hold a virtual...

6am_Presser_Adler_Jack

Mayor Adler issues shelter-in-place order for Austin to stop coronavirus spread

Neha Madhira March 24, 2020

Editor’s note: This story is part of The Daily Texan’s coverage of how coronavirus concerns are affecting UT-Austin. Read the rest of our coverage here. Austin Mayor Steve Adler issued a shelter-in-place...

WEB6amPRESSCONFERENCE_Amna

Travis County official confirms community spread of COVID-19 in county

Neha Madhira March 20, 2020

Editor’s note: This story is part of The Daily Texan’s coverage of how coronavirus concerns are affecting UT-Austin. Read the rest of our coverage here. The Austin-Travis County Health Authority...

DRCORONA_6amPressConference_Jack

Austin officials discuss first two positive coronavirus cases in Travis County at press conference

Neha Madhira March 13, 2020

Editor’s note: This story is part of The Daily Texan’s coverage of how coronavirus concerns are affecting UT-Austin. Read the rest of our coverage here. Austin officials held a news...

2016-07-10_Tower_Emmanuel

UT-Austin extends spring break for one week due to coronavirus concerns

Neha Madhira March 12, 2020

The University will extend spring break for students by one week in response to COVID-19 concerns, according to a Wednesday press release. In the release, UT President Gregory Fenves said on-campus...

2020-01-31_Criminal_Justice_Reform_Jacob

José Garza leads Democratic primary for Travis County DA, heading to runoff

Neha Madhira March 4, 2020

The Democratic primary race between incumbent Margaret Moore, 53rd District Attorney, and challenger José Garza will most likely go into a runoff. Although Garza gained a lead as votes tallied...

Homelesscamps_Eddie

Save Austin Now launches coalition to reinstate camping ban in Austin

Neha Madhira March 4, 2020

In an effort to reinstate the ordinance limiting where people experiencing homelessness can camp, an Austin-based nonprofit started a petition Feb. 24 to put the issue on the November 2020 ballot.  Save...

planned_parenthood_dan_martinez

Planned Parenthood location opens less than a block away from campus

Neha Madhira February 26, 2020

Planned Parenthood opened up a new clinic less than a block away from campus, making it the nonprofit’s fourth location in Austin.  Planned Parenthood is a health care provider that delivers...

Blanton Donation_2014-08-29_Blanton_Amy

Blanton Museum of Art to redesign exterior following $5 million donation

Neha Madhira February 17, 2020

The Still Water Foundation donated $5 million to the Blanton Museum of Art to remodel the building’s exterior, according to a UT press release on Tuesday.  The foundation donated an additional...

2020-02-14_Wingstop_Jamie

Wingstop set to open on The Drag in summer 2020

Neha Madhira February 14, 2020

Wingstop, a chicken wing restaurant chain, will open a new location on The Drag in summer 2020.  There are currently eight Wingstop locations in Austin, according to the Wingstop website. As of...

margaret moore 2016-07-10_Tower_Fountain_Stock_Zoe

Judge dismisses lawsuit alleging mishandling of sexual assault claims in Travis County

Neha Madhira February 11, 2020

A federal judge dismissed a two-year class-action lawsuit Monday in which eight women, three of whom are UT alumna, claimed Austin and Travis County officials did not properly handle their sexual assault...

0206_BEES_DestinyAlexander

UT-Austin scientists develop strategy to protect bees from pests, pathogens

Neha Madhira February 6, 2020

UT scientists have engineered strains of bacteria that could live in the guts of honey bees and protect them from mites and viruses, according to a UT press release.  The strains would also protect...

apd_2014-12-2_APD_Jenna

City of Austin reports show racial disparities in vehicle stops by APD

Neha Madhira February 6, 2020

A report from the city of Austin concluded that people of color are stopped in their motor vehicles at disproportionately higher rates than their share of the Austin population.  The report released...

masri_2020-02-04_Geoscience_Aria

Masri Foundation gifts Jackson School of Geosciences $10.5 million endowment

Neha Madhira February 5, 2020

The Jackson School of Geosciences received $10.5 million last week from The Munib and Angela Masri Foundation to create an endowment that will support graduate studies at the school.   The...

DELLMED_2020-02-03_Dell_Foundations_Announcement_Eddie

UT-Austin, Dell Foundation to provide $20,000 to certain Pell-eligible freshmen starting fall 2020

Neha Madhira January 31, 2020

A partnership between UT and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation will provide certain incoming Pell-eligible freshmen with $20,000 in financial support starting fall 2020, according to a UT press release...

0130_AI_CarissaDavis

UT dermatologist uses AI in imaging technology to improve patient outcomes

Neha Madhira January 31, 2020

FotoFinder uses artificial intelligence to track and identify cancerous moles from photographs it takes of patients’ bodies, said Dr. Adewole Adamson, a UT Health Austin dermatologist. UT Health...

0128_Corequisite_StephSonik

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approves proposal of evaluation of co-requisite models required in the Texas Success Initiative

Neha Madhira January 28, 2020

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved an evaluation of co-requisite models Thursday, requiring students to take an additional course to assist them if they have not demonstrated college...

Stock2

UTPD Chief David Carter plans to increase security around campus

Neha Madhira January 27, 2020

UT Police Department Chief David Carter said he plans to increase West Campus patrols and implement a new camera security system near campus at a press conference Monday. This conference came after...

signlanguage_raquel

UT researchers help track sign language evolution over past few centuries

Neha Madhira January 27, 2020

A new study by linguists and biologists from UT and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History tracked the evolution of sign languages around the world over the past few centuries.   The...

Stock2

UT announces increased safety measures following downtown Austin stabbings

Neha Madhira January 27, 2020

UT President Gregory Fenves sent a campuswide email Sunday regarding safety near campus following the stabbing of two UT students last week. “Incidents like this serve as a reminder that we must...

Dewey_Center - Courtesy of Savitribai Phule Pune University

Center for Dewey Studies opens in India

Neha Madhira January 23, 2020

A UT associate professor helped establish the first academic research unit dedicated to the ideas and works of American philosopher John Dewey in India earlier this month. Scott Stroud, a communication...

Don's_2020-01-23_Don's_Food_Truck_Reopening_Jacob

Don Japanese Food Truck reopens

Neha Madhira January 23, 2020

Don Japanese Kitchen reopened its popular food truck behind the University Co-op at noon Wednesday after closing its brick-and-mortar store on Guadalupe Street earlier this month. “(Don) is kind...

uthealth_barbra

Dell Children’s epilepsy program hiring more professionals, expanding

Neha Madhira December 5, 2019

The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas is expanding by hiring more professionals and partnering with pediatric epilepsy leaders throughout the state. The...

bikes_2019-04-24_BIKE_RACKS_Anthony

UT Police Department reports increase in bike thefts in October

Neha Madhira November 21, 2019

After the UT Police Department noticed a spike in bike thefts this fall, they are recommending students register their bikes to keep them safe.  UTPD spokesperson Noelle Newton said 54 bikes have...

wheels_1115_EllaWIlliams_Wheels

Electric bike company Wheels to launch e-bikes in Austin at the end of November

Neha Madhira November 15, 2019

Electric bike company Wheels will launch the operation of their bikes in Austin at the end of November. Todd Maron, chief legal officer at Wheels, said the company has bikes in six major cities throughout...

austin sustainability 2019-11-06-Sustainability_Panel_Ryan

City of Austin, University discuss sustainability, conservation at panel

Neha Madhira November 6, 2019

Austin businesses want to build relationships with the University and understand how important sustainability issues are to the current generation, a UT official said Tuesday at a panel. “BASF,...

RICHARDS_2019-10-31_Advertising_Big_Reveal_Presley

Stan Richards School to build student advertising, public relations lab on BMC fourth floor

Neha Madhira October 31, 2019

To celebrate the five-year anniversary of naming the Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations, the school will add a student advertising and public relations workspace to the Belo Media...

chemical engineer chair_WelchGala_Courtesy of the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering

Welch Foundation donates $2.5 million to establish chemical engineering chair

Neha Madhira October 29, 2019

The McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering will establish the Norbert Dittrich-Welch Chair in Chemical Engineering following a $2.5 million donation by the Welch Foundation, a private funding source...

crickets_2019-10-15-Crickets_Jack

Texas black field crickets swarm UT Austin campus

Neha Madhira October 15, 2019

Along with cooler temperatures, the fall season is bringing swarms of crickets to the UT campus. Alexander Wild, UT curator of entomology, said this mass emergence of crickets occurs annually but is...

Good_sys_2019-10_08_Ethics_And_AI_Chat_Jamie

Good Systems team hosts fireside chat to celebrate launch

Neha Madhira October 8, 2019

UT hosted a fireside chat Monday with former director of the Harvard-MIT Ethics and Governance of AI Initiative to promote their new Good Systems initiative, which focuses on improving aritifical intelligence...

national_2019-10-02-National_Night_Out_Erin

Hundreds of students meet with first responders at National Night Out hosted by SafeHorns

Neha Madhira October 2, 2019

SafeHorns hosted their fourth annual National Night Out in West Campus, where community members met first responders, played games and had free food. Hundreds of people met with the UT Police Department,...

memorial_CourtesyOfZaraNajam

Dr. Aamna Najam Memorial Scholarship established by family to honor UT alumna

Neha Madhira September 18, 2019

UT alumna Dr. Aamna Najam had worked just one week as an audiologist before she died in a motorcycle accident in August. Now, her family is starting a memorial scholarship to honor her.  “Education...

bienvenida_2019-09-06_Bienvenida_Jamie

Latino Studies department welcomes students back with ¡Bienvenida!

Neha Madhira September 6, 2019

The Latino Studies department welcomed students back to classes Thursday with music, a churro bar and free T-shirts. The annual celebration, known as ¡Bienvenida!, is meant to help students socialize...

Activate Search
Neha Madhira