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BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University stirs anger and confusion as it opens the door for first LGBTQ student group

“Baylor University is trying to have its cake and eat it too,” said Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, on an episode of his daily podcast. The Post-it notes on her door, Penales said, were in response to her work trying to convince the university to recognize the LGBTQ student group. Earlier this year, Baylor’s Faculty Senate also approved a resolution in support of the chartered LGBTQ student group. In the past few years, the cries for Baylor to approve a LGBTQ group have grown louder among students, faculty and alumni. The school integrated in 1963, eight years after the Baylor Student Congress called on the university to end segregation.

outinsa.com

Baylor University report recommends changing buildings and statues honoring slave owners but gives a pass to school’s founder

A report released Tuesday examining Baylor University’s connections to slavery and racism, is recommending the university relocate some statues and change building names honoring former slaveowners. Students on campus and across Texas demanded university leaders address Confederate symbols and make changes to improve diversity and inclusion. AdAt Baylor, where Black students make up just 6% of the student body, university leaders in July launched a new scholarship program aimed at recruiting more diverse students. The board of regents accepted the commission report at its meeting last month, and charged university leaders with developing an action plan. The group suggests the university commission a new mace that can be used at future Baylor graduation ceremonies.

Several Texas college campuses to keep mask mandates after governor’s order

Graduates at a Texas A&M University's commencement ceremony at Reed Arena in College Station in December. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribuneNeed to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? Greg Abbott announced that he will lift the statewide mask mandate and other COVID-19 restrictions starting Wednesday. Austin Community College, Baylor University, Paris Junior College, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, Southwestern University, the Texas A&M University System, Trinity University, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas at El Paso are keeping their current COVID-19 guidelines — which include mask mandates — in place. Disclosure: Baylor University, Lamar University, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at El Paso and University of Houston have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

UT-Austin won’t require SAT or ACT scores for 2022 applications due testing limitations because of COVID-19

The University of Texas at Austin is suspending the SAT and ACT test score requirement for fall 2022 applicants, citing continued limited access to testing opportunities for students due the COVID-19 pandemic. AdLast year, multiple Texas universities temporarily scrapped the testing requirement for the 2021 applicants, including Texas A&M University, Baylor University, Texas Tech University, Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University. In Austin, St. Edward's University had been planning to permanently waive ACT and SAT requirements for months, Dean of Admissions Drew Nichols told The Texas Tribune last spring. Last year, the University of California system announced its campuses would begin phasing out the ACT and SAT immediately. AdDisclosure: Baylor University, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, St. Edward’s University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Texas universities promised action after summer’s racial reckoning. But they’re still reluctant to shed Confederate relics.

Shifa Rahman, left, and a fellow protestor, hold signs at the base of the William Marsh Rice statue on campus. Students at Rice University demanded removal of the monument of the school founder, William "Willy" Rice, a slave owner. The residence was named after Simkins in the 1950s to intimidate Black students after the Supreme Court decision that integrated schools. But Black students, who total 6% of student body, said administrators were still limiting when it’s appropriate to talk about race. Disclosure: Baylor University, Facebook, Rice University, Texas A&M University, University of Texas - Arlington, University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston and University of North Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Baylor students must test weekly for COVID-19. Those who keep missing tests could lose Wi-Fi access.

Diagnosticians process COVID-19 testing samples at the new state-of-the-art COVID-19 testing lab and research facility in Waco, developed through a new partnership between Baylor University and My Labs Direct. Baylor University began the spring semester on Jan. 19, with weekly testing an important part of comprehensive COVID-19 measures to ensure a safe learning community. If they miss three tests, they’ll also lose Wi-Fi access on campus, with the goal of limiting student activity in campus buildings. Officials would not share how much the multimillion-dollar lab and weekly testing costs. All students, faculty and staff were also required to have a negative COVID-19 test result before returning to campus at Baylor.

San Antonio native, McCollum HS grad performs at 2021 inauguration

During today's inauguration ceremony Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States. SAN ANTONIO – Editor’s note: This story was published through a partnership between KSAT and Live From the Southside, a new local- and Latina-owned magazine that works to improve & expand community relationships through promoting events, stories and businesses. Today, our South Side San Antonio community beamed with pride as we watched McCollum High School graduate Jeremy McBride (Class of 1997) perform at the 2021 inauguration. A huge congrats to you, Jeremy, on all your accomplishments and know that you’re an inspiration to your South Side community. 15 hidden gems on San Antonio’s South SideMiss Plus San Antonio wins Miss Plus Texas, advances to nationalsFlaco Jimenez’s former food truck ‘Tacos Jimenez’ revived by son, will open on South Side next week

UT-Austin's final football game canceled after 9 players, 13 staff members test positive for coronavirus

click to enlarge Courtesy Photo / UT AthleticsThe University of Texas at Austin’s final football game of the regular season, against the University of Kansas, has been canceled because of a COVID-19 outbreak infecting nine players and 13 staff members. UT Athletics did not respond to requests for additional information about the recent outbreak among the football team. The UT-Austin game against Kansas had already been rescheduled due to an outbreak on the Kansas team last month. It’s the only game Texas did not play this fall amid the pandemic. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

sacurrent.com

UT-Austin's final football game canceled after 9 players, 13 staff test positive for coronavirus

The University of Texas at Austin's final football game of the regular season against the University of Kansas was cancelled after a COVID-19 outbreak infected nine players and 13 staff members. The University of Texas at Austin’s final football game of the regular season against the University of Kansas has been canceled because of a COVID-19 outbreak infecting nine players and 13 staff members. The UT game against Kansas had already been rescheduled due to an outbreak on the Kansas team last month. It’s the only game Texas did not play this fall amid the pandemic. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Texas colleges offer free coronavirus tests. Why aren’t more students getting tested?

The University of Texas at Austin said it could test up to 5,000 asymptomatic students, faculty and staff weekly. Texas A&M University trumpeted a similar goal of testing more than 5,000 students each week – about 7% of the student body. UT-Austin, which has more than 50,000 students, has only required students to be tested before attending football games. That included the 1,198 students tested for the first home football game on Sept. 12. Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at El Paso, the University of North Texas and Baylor University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

“It’s like walking into a ghost town”: Under tight pandemic restrictions, college football returns to Austin

“It’s like walking into a ghost town,” Julie Amberg said from behind a burnt orange mask. Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK/REUTERSOutdoor gatherings in Austin are still capped at 10 people or less, but Gov. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribunePregame celebrations near the stadium were virtually nonexistent; university officials banned tailgating on school property. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas TribuneAs students filtered in, staff explained the rules for keeping distanced from each other. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribunePeople generally masked up while walking through the stadium, but many fans ditched their masks once they were seated.

Texas college football returns with thousands of fans in the stadiums as campus cases grow

This weekend marks the start of an unusual season for major college football programs in Texas. UT-Austin game attendees must wear masks in the stadium and there will be signage and floor markings to encourage social distance. “We anticipated a rise in cases as we returned to campus and we took this into account as we made our plans,” Texas Tech spokesperson Matthew Dewey said in an email. Officials blamed off-campus parties hosted by Texas Tech students. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin and University of Texas at El Paso have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Analysis: College football is back — as both a spectacular and a science experiment

Texas’ college football players won’t be the only people with butterflies in their stomachs this weekend. SMU played last Saturday against Texas State University, but the TCU-SMU game would have been the first involving a Big 12 school. This weekend, two Texas schools in that conference will take the field: the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Tech University. A third was supposed to play, but Baylor University postponed its weekend game after several Louisiana Tech players tested positive. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

UT-Austin says it will only require student ticket holders to test negative for COVID-19 before Saturdays football game

A University of Texas football game at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin on Sept. 7, 2019. Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Daily TexanNeed to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? There is no testing requirement for fans who aren't UT-Austin students, nor is there a requirement for visitors from El Paso. Students, however, were not required to test negative before returning to campus or attending in-person classes. Greg Abbott, however, allowed Texas sports to resume with limited fans in the stands. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, University of Texas at Austin and University of Texas at El Paso have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Texas universities blame off-campus parties for rising COVID-19 cases, but few are disciplining students

Students sit outside the Peter T. Flawn Academic Center at the University of Texas at Austin. As Texas college towns see rising COVID-19 cases with the return of hundreds of thousands of students to campus, a small but increasing number of universities are disciplining students who attend or host house parties or Greek rush events. But while reports of those crackdowns are beginning to increase, most Texas universities arent penalizing individual students for partying that takes place off-site. Many of the Greek events have since been halted, he said, but the off-campus parties continue. Penalize organizations, not peoplePerhaps the most power that Texas universities can wield over off-campus student behavior comes through its recognized organizations, from sororities to student government and beyond.

Student athletes get COVID-19 tests three times a week, while experts say testing for other university students is lagging

Public health experts say Texas universities should increase testing of all students to prevent community spread of the coronavirus as classes resume. Texas A&M University reported 327 new positive tests the week ending Aug. 29, down slightly from the 371 it reported a week prior. UT-Austin, Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University encourage participation in asymptomatic testing but stop short of requiring it. Texas Christian University does not offer routine testing for students without symptoms, according to The Dallas Morning News. Disclosure: Baylor University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin and University of North Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Coronavirus cases postpone TCU-SMU game, the season's first college football matchup involving a Texas Big 12 team

The game against Southern Methodist University, scheduled for Sept. 11, was canceled Friday after some TCU football athletes and support staff tested positive for the virus, said Jeremiah Donati, TCUs director of intercollegiate athletics, in a statement. The TCU-SMU game would have been the first Big 12 game of the season. Texas Tech University, Baylor University and the University of Texas at Austin all have games scheduled for Sept. 12. A handful of Texas teams that play outside the Power Five conferences SMU, Texas State University, Houston Baptist University, the University of North Texas, Stephen F. Austin University and the University of Texas at El Paso have games scheduled for Saturday. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at El Paso and University of North Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Big 12 OKs football season, paving way for UT-Austin, Texas Tech, TCU and Baylor to play

The start of the Big 12 Conferences college football season will move forward as scheduled, conference officials said Wednesday, meaning four major Texas football programs are one step closer to playing this fall. Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Austin are Big 12 members. #WeWantToPlay Charlie Brewer (@CBrewer16) August 10, 2020We want to play football in the fall, Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp told The Texas Tribune on Monday. Greg Abbott in a Tuesday interview said while he supported what the student athletes wanted to do. Disclosure: Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Baylor students must test negative for coronavirus before returning to campus this fall, officials say

Baylor University students must test negative for the coronavirus before they can return to campus for the start of the fall semester, school officials said Tuesday. According to an email announcing the policy, students will get results in 48 hours. Requiring negative results before campus entry is a relatively unique policy across Texas universities preparing for a fall return. Testing of all students, faculty and staff for COVID-19 before allowing campus entry (entry testing) has not been systematically studied, the CDC website reads. A Baylor University spokeswoman did not immediately respond to questions about how much testing there would cost officials.

Texas universities are shelving SAT and ACT requirements as coronavirus scrambles admissions process

In response, many Texas universities are becoming test-optional through 2021, waiving the traditional requirement for test scores to gain admission. Baylor University, Texas Tech University, Texas Christian University, Southern Methodist University and St. Edward's University have all temporarily scrapped their testing requirements through 2021. And some universities that were doubting the value of test scores even before the pandemic see an opportunity to change the admissions process altogether. In the absence of scores, school performance will disproportionately count towards an application, he said. My goal is to get him to college, however that happens.Disclosure: Baylor University, Texas Tech University, Texas Christian University, Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Why Community College First?

The question of whether to go to community college first or straight to university is a tug-of-war. Community college should have been the first place to go after high school. Yet, I didnt see community college as a first option because I was compelled to quickly leave the nest and peer-pressured to be prematurely independent, as my friends went away and even out-of-state for college. Compared to public and private universities, community college is a bang for your buck. Students can find their niche and a sense of belonging at community college as easily as at a university.

theranger.org

Brace yourself, Texas: This is what top university, college leaders are getting paid

Recent data shows some of the highest-paid executives at universities around the country are making well into the millions after bonuses and other pay are added to their base pay. The Chronicle of Higher Education gathered data on more than 1,400 chief executives from more than 600 private colleges between the years 2008 and 2016 and close to 250 public universities and systems between 2010 and 2018. Below are the top 10 highest paid leaders at universities in the United States and in Texas. Top 10 highest-paid university/college executives in the United States*Kenneth W. Starr - Baylor University (private): $4,946,996 Lee C. Bollinger - Columbia University (private): $3,927,961 Amy Gutmann - University of Pennsylvania (private): $3,211,681 Victor J. Boschini Jr. - Texas Christian University (private): $2,864,303 Edward Guiliano - New York Institute of Technology at Old Westbury (private): $2,733,651 William H. McRaven - University of Texas: $2,578,609 Nido Quien - High Point University (private): $2,368,358 Stephen C. Ainlay - Union College (N.Y.) (private): $2,289,549 Paula S. Wallace - Savannah College of Art and Design (private): $2,043,120 10. Joel Seligman - University of Rochester (private): $1,990,250Top 10 highest-paid university/college executives in Texas*Kenneth W. Starr - Baylor University (private): $4,946,996 Victor J. Boschini Jr. - Texas Christian University (private): $2,864,303 William H. McRaven - University of Texas system: $2,578,740 Michael K. Young - Texas A&M University at College Station: $1,893,740 Renu Khator - University of Houston: $1,399,581 John Sharp - Texas A&M University system office: $1,358,440 Robert L. Duncan - Texas Tech University system: $1,351,282 David W. Leebron - Rice University (private): $1,333,175 R. Gerald Turner - Southern Methodist University (private): $1,332,101 Louise J. Agnese Jr. - University of the Incarnate Word (private): $1,074,423*Note: Starr did not serve as executive for a full year.

First ID of immigrant remains in Brooks County

Founded by a forensic anthropologist at Baylor University, Reuniting Families has reached a milestone-- its first identification of human remains found in Brooks County, an area notorious for immigrant deaths. She said the remains identified were of a woman who was buried as an "unknown" more than 1,400 miles from her family in Honduras. She said after the woman's remains were unearthed by University of Indianapolis students, they were taken to the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University for analysis. Baker said the DNA match was made possible by an Argentinian forensic team in Honduras that collected a sample from the woman's family. Ad"You can see the extent of the agencies and how they all had to work together," Baker said.

3/20: Malaysia Airlines mystery: Weather adds challenge to search for possible debris; NCAA tournament appearance is special achievement for Baylor player

3/20: Malaysia Airlines mystery: Weather adds challenge to search for possible debris; NCAA tournament appearance is special achievement for Baylor player The search is intensifying for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 after a satellite captured images of two objects in the southern Indian Ocean. Four military search planes have been dispatched to the scene, but the weather has not been kind. Lee Cowan reports. ; and, Baylor University's Isaiah Austin has averaged 12 points a game and blocked 114 shots this season -- the best in his conference -- and he's done it all with one distinct disadvantage.

cbsnews.com

Baylor students begin somber task in Brooks County

FALFURRIAS – Teams of forensic students at Baylor University arrived in Brooks County on Saturday to begin the somber task of exhuming bodies of unidentified immigrants buried in the Falfurrias Cemetery. Related: Students on mission to ID human remains near borderAdTheir mission in Falfurrias will involve exhuming more than 50 grave sites through May 28. Brooks County has experienced a record number of deaths last year, with 129 bodies recovered on area ranches. AdShe said their work will be at no cost to Brooks County, and their expenses will be out of their pocket. However, Baker said in return, the Baylor students will get valuable real-life experience as they prepare for careers using their forensic skills.