INSIDER
A year into the job, Texas A&M president performs balancing act with growth, tuition, faculty and state leaders
Read full article: A year into the job, Texas A&M president performs balancing act with growth, tuition, faculty and state leadersStaff relations continue to be important for Mark Welsh III as he rebuilds trust after a hiring controversy and universities brace for legislation targeting faculty senates.
Texas A&M marks 25th anniversary of campus bonfire collapse that killed 12
Read full article: Texas A&M marks 25th anniversary of campus bonfire collapse that killed 12Texas A&M University is set to mark the anniversary of the campus bonfire tragedy that killed 12 people and injured dozens more 25 years ago.
Texas A&M regents overrule faculty, cut 52 ālow-producingā programs including LGBTQ+ studies minor
Read full article: Texas A&M regents overrule faculty, cut 52 ālow-producingā programs including LGBTQ+ studies minorAfter conservative criticism over the LGBTQ+ minor, university officials started looking at all its programs. Faculty say they were excluded from the process.
College costs weigh heavily on Texas students as they wait on late financial aid offers
Read full article: College costs weigh heavily on Texas students as they wait on late financial aid offersDelays in the new FAFSA led students to take out debt, enroll in community college over their top-choice universities or opt out of going to college.
Queer students look for alternatives after Texas A&M ends transgender health care services
Read full article: Queer students look for alternatives after Texas A&M ends transgender health care servicesThe students saw the move as part of a political environment that has become increasingly hostile against LGBTQ+ people in Texas.
Weeklong heat wave loosens grip slightly on US Southwest but forecasters still urge caution
Read full article: Weeklong heat wave loosens grip slightly on US Southwest but forecasters still urge cautionThe weeklong heat wave that baked most of the U.S. Southwest in temperatures well into triple digits is on its last legs, but forecasters are still urging people to be cautious.
Texas A&M president says traditional bonfire will not return as part of renewed Texas rivalry
Read full article: Texas A&M president says traditional bonfire will not return as part of renewed Texas rivalryTexas A&Mās president says the traditional bonfire, which ended 25 years ago after 12 people were killed and 27 more were wounded when the log stack collapsed during construction, will not return to campus.
Push to enforce occupancy rule in College Station highlights Texas A&M studentsā housing woes
Read full article: Push to enforce occupancy rule in College Station highlights Texas A&M studentsā housing woesThe new fines underscore the challenges college students face when looking for affordable housing ā and how cities struggle to provide it.
Texans Should Prepare For Hotter Temperatures, Greater Risk Of Fire And Flooding
Read full article: Texans Should Prepare For Hotter Temperatures, Greater Risk Of Fire And FloodingA new Texas A&M climate report shows a dramatic rise in 100-degree days, while the dangers posed by hurricanes, droughts and other extreme weather conditions are growing.
Texas A&M Board of Regents names Mark Welsh III sole finalist for president
Read full article: Texas A&M Board of Regents names Mark Welsh III sole finalist for presidentThe Texas A&M University System Board of Regents named the former dean and four-star general as the sole finalist for president Friday. Many believe Welsh is the right person to move the university forward after a pair of controversies bruised the schoolās morale.
Texas A&M Interim President Mark Welsh will get nod to keep permanent position
Read full article: Texas A&M Interim President Mark Welsh will get nod to keep permanent positionA&M System Chancellor John Sharp will recommend Welsh, a retired Air Force general, as the sole finalist for the job at a Board of Regents meeting later this week. Welsh has held the position in the interim since July.
Texas to get four new maternal health research centers amid mortality crisis for moms
Read full article: Texas to get four new maternal health research centers amid mortality crisis for momsTexas continues to struggle with maternal mortality and morbidity, despite a decade of tracking and reviewing these cases. Four new research centers will pilot innovative solutions.
Proposition 5 on Texas ballot would create new endowment for āemergingā research universities
Read full article: Proposition 5 on Texas ballot would create new endowment for āemergingā research universitiesIf approved, the new fund would provide tens of millions of dollars to the University of Houston, Texas Tech, Texas State University and University of North Texas.
Interim Texas A&M University president sets new tone for reforms planned under his predecessor
Read full article: Interim Texas A&M University president sets new tone for reforms planned under his predecessorMark Welsh said that Texas A&M will stay the course on many controversial changes made by former President Kathy Banks. Professors welcomed Welshās commitment to faculty input moving forward.
Federal judge throws out hiring discrimination lawsuit against Texas A&M
Read full article: Federal judge throws out hiring discrimination lawsuit against Texas A&MThe judge tossed the suit after the university argued a new state law that will go into effect in January, Senate Bill 17, already prohibits preferential treatment in hiring at public universities.
Texas A&M Systemās guidance on the stateās DEI ban shows compliance might be a hard needle to thread
Read full article: Texas A&M Systemās guidance on the stateās DEI ban shows compliance might be a hard needle to threadThe guidance asks universities in the system to avoid using the acronym DEI on their websites and walk a fine line between organizing events that āsupport diversity in a general wayā but donāt āpromote preferential treatment of any particular group.ā
Meet the newest class of Tribune fellows
Read full article: Meet the newest class of Tribune fellowsFellows play key roles in the most important work of the Tribune, helping with The Texas Tribune Festival and covering the biennial legislative sessions, education and the environment, among other important topics.
Texas A&M interim president pledges more transparency after accusations of political interference
Read full article: Texas A&M interim president pledges more transparency after accusations of political interferenceIn his first comments as interim president, Mark A. Welsh IIII cast recent concerns over political interference in Texas A&Mās employment decisions as ācommunication breakdowns.ā
Suspended Texas A&M professor denies saying Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick believes overdose victims ādeserve to dieā
Read full article: Suspended Texas A&M professor denies saying Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick believes overdose victims ādeserve to dieāTexas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham alleged Wednesday that opioids expert Joy Alonzo told students in a guest lecture that āYour Lt. Governor says those kids deserve to die.ā Alonzo denied the claims.
Does Texas A&Mās botched hire spell doom for classroom diversity? Some say yes
Read full article: Does Texas A&Mās botched hire spell doom for classroom diversity? Some say yesTexas A&M University marked its hiring of Kathleen McElroy with great fanfare ā balloons, a banner and a signing ceremony.
Texas A&M University System regents name Mark Welsh interim president of flagship campus
Read full article: Texas A&M University System regents name Mark Welsh interim president of flagship campusThe board also gave university lawyers the green light to negotiate a possible settlement with Kathleen McElroy after the university bungled the hiring of the journalism professor.
Faculty worry about Texas A&Mās future after controversies over higher ed politicization
Read full article: Faculty worry about Texas A&Mās future after controversies over higher ed politicizationThe university has been rattled by two cases in which university officials were apparently rushed into making faculty employment decisions due to political pressure.
Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in lecture
Read full article: Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in lectureThe professor, an expert on the opioids crisis, was placed on paid administrative leave and investigated, raising questions about the extent of political interference in higher education, particularly in health-related matters.
For Black Aggies, questions over professorās botched hiring persist after presidentās departure
Read full article: For Black Aggies, questions over professorās botched hiring persist after presidentās departureIn the fallout from A&Mās failure to hire Kathleen McElroy, students and alumni lament the missed opportunity to revive the universityās journalism program and provide students with mentorship.
Texas A&M University president resigns after Black journalistās hiring at campus unravels
Read full article: Texas A&M University president resigns after Black journalistās hiring at campus unravelsThe president of Texas A&M University has resigned after a Black journalistās celebrated hiring at one of the nationās largest campuses unraveled over criticism of her diversity and inclusion work.
Texas A&M president says she didnāt know about job offer changes that led to professorās botched hiring
Read full article: Texas A&M president says she didnāt know about job offer changes that led to professorās botched hiringM. Katherine Banks told faculty she was unaware of successive, diminished offers to Kathleen O. McElroy, who was recruited to revive a journalism program. Professors demanded an investigation.
A&M faculty leaders decry āappearance of outside influenceā in botched hiring of journalism professor
Read full article: A&M faculty leaders decry āappearance of outside influenceā in botched hiring of journalism professorThe university announced the hiring of Kathleen McElroy, a Black former New York Times journalist, but later backtracked on its offer amid conservative pushback.
Texas A&M recruited a UT professor to revive its journalism program, then backtracked after āDEI hysteriaā
Read full article: Texas A&M recruited a UT professor to revive its journalism program, then backtracked after āDEI hysteriaāThe university celebrated its decision to hire Kathleen McElroy to revive its journalism program. She says sheās staying at UT after she felt judged because of her race and gender.
With race-based admissions no longer an option, states may imitate Texas Top 10% Plan
Read full article: With race-based admissions no longer an option, states may imitate Texas Top 10% PlanNow that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled the practice unconstitutional, admissions experts say other states could look to Texasā Top 10% Plan as a way to diversify their student bodies.
Texas colleges offer job training for students with disabilities. Hereās how to use those programs.
Read full article: Texas colleges offer job training for students with disabilities. Hereās how to use those programs.Students with disabilities can succeed in college with the right kind of help. There are programs that can support them. The programs help them live on their own, find jobs, and make a difference where they live.
Texas colleges provide job training for students with disabilities. Hereās how to access it.
Read full article: Texas colleges provide job training for students with disabilities. Hereās how to access it.Students with disabilities can find success in college, live independently and get jobs with the right kind of help. Here are college programs that provide support.
An effort to ban faculty tenure in public universities has failed in the Texas Legislature
Read full article: An effort to ban faculty tenure in public universities has failed in the Texas LegislatureThe state Senate originally passed a bill to ban tenure, but on Saturday it approved the Houseās counterproposal, which enshrines tenure in state law.
How Republicansā threats to tenure and diversity might undercut their own efforts to advance Texasā universities
Read full article: How Republicansā threats to tenure and diversity might undercut their own efforts to advance Texasā universitiesTexas lawmakers are poised to create a new multibillion-dollar endowment to boost emerging research universities in national rankings. But faculty members say banning diversity offices and tenure would stymie those efforts.
Palo Alto College, Texas A&M University team up to help agriculture students
Read full article: Palo Alto College, Texas A&M University team up to help agriculture studentsThanks to a new partnership between Palo Alto College and Texas A&M University, the transition for an agriculture student will almost be seamless when it comes to school credits and paperwork.
University of Texas System pauses new policies to promote diversity, equity and inclusion
Read full article: University of Texas System pauses new policies to promote diversity, equity and inclusionThe system leadersā decision comes weeks after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to stop considering diversity in their hiring practices. Texas A&M University also recently changed its hiring practices.
Texas A&M Parsons Mounted Cavalry prepares for Western Heritage Parade and Cattle Drive
Read full article: Texas A&M Parsons Mounted Cavalry prepares for Western Heritage Parade and Cattle DriveTexas A&M Universityās 70-member Parsons Mounted Cavalry saddled up for the Western Heritage Parade and Cattle Drive in downtown San Antonio Saturday.
UT Womenās basketball team donates more than $42,000 to help build new elementary school in Uvalde
Read full article: UT Womenās basketball team donates more than $42,000 to help build new elementary school in UvaldeUvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation announced that it has received more than $42,000 in donations from the University of Texas womenās basketball team.
Texas A&M University student from San Antonio wins $100,000 in tuition during football toss competition
Read full article: Texas A&M University student from San Antonio wins $100,000 in tuition during football toss competitionA San Antonio native and Texas A&M University student won $100,000 in tuition from Dr. Pepper this past weekend at the Pac-12 Conference Championship game.
Watch: Texas A&M students accuse Brazos County of voter suppression after moving on-campus voting site
Read full article: Watch: Texas A&M students accuse Brazos County of voter suppression after moving on-campus voting siteThe Texas A&M on-campus early-voting location had the second-highest voter turnout in the county during the 2018 and 2020 presidential elections.
Texas A&Mās early voting location was popular during general elections before it was moved off campus
Read full article: Texas A&Mās early voting location was popular during general elections before it was moved off campusThe Brazos County commissioner who represents the precinct where the university is located cited low turnout as a partial reason for relocating the polling location.
Texas A&M faculty leaders say President Kathy Banks is leaving them out of major decisions
Read full article: Texas A&M faculty leaders say President Kathy Banks is leaving them out of major decisionsFaculty members say Banks could have been more communicative and transparent about a variety of organizational changes she put in motion during her first year as president.
Texas A&M receiver expected to represent team at SEC media days arrested for driving while intoxicated
Read full article: Texas A&M receiver expected to represent team at SEC media days arrested for driving while intoxicatedA wide receiver expected to represent Texas A&M during SEC media days in Atlanta on Thursday was arrested for driving while intoxicated, according to media reports.
Kyle Rittenhouse now says heās going to Blinn College, after Texas A&M said heās not a student
Read full article: Kyle Rittenhouse now says heās going to Blinn College, after Texas A&M said heās not a studentRittenhouse corrected himself on Monday saying he was attending the Brenham-based community college. Over the weekend, he made a splash when Texas A&M refuted his claim he was an incoming Aggie.
More invasive suckermouth armored catfish removed from San Marcos River
Read full article: More invasive suckermouth armored catfish removed from San Marcos RiverTexas Parks and Wildlife officials posted a video to Facebook on Thursday showing divers removing suckermouth armored catfish from the river.
Jury awards UT-Austin professor $3 million in pregnancy and sex discrimination suit against university
Read full article: Jury awards UT-Austin professor $3 million in pregnancy and sex discrimination suit against universityA jury awarded Evdokia Nikolova damages for past and future pain and suffering after finding UT-Austin illegally discriminated against her when the school denied her tenure.
Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp orders school leaders to sever research ties with Russian entities
Read full article: Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp orders school leaders to sever research ties with Russian entitiesThe chancellor instructed universities and agencies in the system to dissolve all agreements, especially those related to academics, research and intellectual property.
Texas A&M students protest after president ends print publication of 129-year-old Battalion newspaper
Read full article: Texas A&M students protest after president ends print publication of 129-year-old Battalion newspaperThe student newspaper will continue as an online-only news organization after the spring semester. But the universityās unilateral decision to end the print edition without student input has students and faculty concerned about its editorial independence.
Texas A&M looms large in primary between GOP incumbent and challenger with strong Aggie ties
Read full article: Texas A&M looms large in primary between GOP incumbent and challenger with strong Aggie tiesJohn Harvey Slocum, the son of a famous A&M football coach, is seeking to unseat state Rep. John Raney, R-College Station.
Texas A&M Study Shows Paternal Alcohol Use Increases Frequency Of Fetal Development Issues
Read full article: Texas A&M Study Shows Paternal Alcohol Use Increases Frequency Of Fetal Development IssuesResearch from the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences found that prenatal exposure to alcohol in males can manifest in the placenta.
Texas A&M Study Shows Paternal Alcohol Use Increases Frequency Of Fetal Development Issues
Read full article: Texas A&M Study Shows Paternal Alcohol Use Increases Frequency Of Fetal Development IssuesResearch from the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences found that prenatal exposure to alcohol in males can manifest in the placenta.
Texas A&M student athlete killed in crash while traveling home for holiday break, university says
Read full article: Texas A&M student athlete killed in crash while traveling home for holiday break, university saysA Texas A&M University cross country and track student athlete was killed in a crash while traveling home for the holidays, according to the university.
Texas scientists search for potentially virulent new omicron COVID-19 variant as state health officials push vaccination
Read full article: Texas scientists search for potentially virulent new omicron COVID-19 variant as state health officials push vaccinationSo much is unknown about the new COVID-19 variant: the severity of the illness it causes, whether it can resist vaccines and natural antibodies and whether itās more contagious than the delta variant that has burned through Texas and the U.S. for months.
Two Texas A&M University students sue fraternity after alleged hazing resulted in āserious bodily injuryā
Read full article: Two Texas A&M University students sue fraternity after alleged hazing resulted in āserious bodily injuryāTwo students at Texas A&M University are suing a fraternity for more than $1 million after they claim they were hazed with substances that caused āserious bodily injury.ā
After Texas A&M student died from COVID-19, students and faculty rally for more safety precautions
Read full article: After Texas A&M student died from COVID-19, students and faculty rally for more safety precautionsUniversity leaders have encouraged mask-wearing and getting vaccinated, but they say Gov. Greg Abbott has prevented them from requiring either.
Researchers Discover Treatment That May Be Viable For Human Brain Cancer
Read full article: Researchers Discover Treatment That May Be Viable For Human Brain CancerA team of researchers at Texas A&M University, Northwestern University, and ImmunoGenesis has discovered a treatment for glioblastoma that has promising implications for the human version of the aggressive cancer form that grows in the brain.
Texas A&M Prof: Afghan Soldiers āNot Willing To Dieā For The U.S-Backed Government
Read full article: Texas A&M Prof: Afghan Soldiers āNot Willing To Dieā For The U.S-Backed GovernmentTexas A&M Today spoke with Gregory Gause, professor of international affairs at Texas A&M Universityās Bush School of Government and Public Service, about the collapse of the Afghanistan government to the Taliban.
Texas universities, committed to full returns, face fall terms with surging COVID-19 numbers and no mask mandates
Read full article: Texas universities, committed to full returns, face fall terms with surging COVID-19 numbers and no mask mandatesMany public university officials say they are moving forward with reopening plans as faculty and students worry about rising COVID-19 cases across the state.
Houston-area COVID-19 outbreak ā including delta variant cases ā should be a wake-up call for Texans, health expert warns
Read full article: Houston-area COVID-19 outbreak ā including delta variant cases ā should be a wake-up call for Texans, health expert warnsThe latest, most transmissible coronavirus variant is spreading rampantly in countries with low vaccination rates, and health experts are bracing for impact in Texas.
Lakers guard Alex Caruso arrested by Texas A&M police on marijuana charges at airport, reports say
Read full article: Lakers guard Alex Caruso arrested by Texas A&M police on marijuana charges at airport, reports sayLos Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso was arrested in College Station on Tuesday after he reportedly tried to board a plane while in possession of marijuana residue and drug paraphernalia.
Texas A&M Lab Identifies New COVID-19 Variant; Genome Suggests Potential Resistance To Antibodies
Read full article: Texas A&M Lab Identifies New COVID-19 Variant; Genome Suggests Potential Resistance To AntibodiesScientists at the Texas A&M University Global Health Research Complex (GHRC) have identified a variant of the COVID-19 virus ā āBV-1ā ā that could present a new challenge to public health.
M. Katherine Banks, Texas A&Mās incoming president, says sheās planning for a campus in ānormal modeā this fall
Read full article: M. Katherine Banks, Texas A&Mās incoming president, says sheās planning for a campus in ānormal modeā this fallSign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
This Jellyfish Can Defy Death And Turn Back Time
Read full article: This Jellyfish Can Defy Death And Turn Back TimeTurritopsis dohrnii, the so-called āimmortal jellyfish,ā can revert to an earlier developmental stage when injured or otherwise threatened. She said that in a few days, that cyst changes into a polyp and eventually these colonies form buds and a new jellyfish. āSo by studying transdifferentiation in T. dohrnii, we can better understand how transdifferentiation works in general.āShe said the process of transdifferentiation is poorly understood. Researchers are analyzing jellyfish for their possible treatments in muscular diseases, genetic disorders and even memory aids. āFrom a scientific point of view, jellyfish are very simple invertebrates that have weird and unique life cycles and capabilities,ā Miglietta said.
COVID-19 UK variant found in animals for the first time by Texas A&M researchers
Read full article: COVID-19 UK variant found in animals for the first time by Texas A&M researchersBRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas ā Editorās Note: This article was published through a partnership between Texas A&M University and KSAT. Testing In TexasTexas has long led the charts in the number of SARS-CoV-2 animal infections, owing in large part to the Texas A&M COVID-19 & Pets study, in which researchers go to the homes of people recently diagnosed with COVID-19 to test their pets. People with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 should avoid contact with pets and other animals to protect them from infection and illness. AdAt this time, routine animal testing for COVID-19 is not recommended, according to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC). Those who have recently tested positive in the Brazos Valley, Texas, region and would like to participate in the research by having their pets tested can learn more at the COVID-19 & Pets research webpage.
Some Texas colleges keep spring break while others adapt due to pandemic concerns
Read full article: Some Texas colleges keep spring break while others adapt due to pandemic concernsPeople gathered on the beach in front of Claytonās Beach Bar during spring break on South Padre Island on Wednesday. In the early weeks of the pandemic in March 2020, colleges across the state extended spring break and then moved to online-only classes afterwards largely due to initial fears about facilitating the spread of the coronavirus. AdBut spring break for many is now coinciding with Gov. AdāWith spring break, the biggest high risks are going to be people who are young adults,ā Cervantes said. āWe encourage you to make good decisions during spring break, just as you did during winter break, and follow the universityās public health guidance: wWear a mask (double up!
Several Texas college campuses to keep mask mandates after governorās order
Read full article: Several Texas college campuses to keep mask mandates after governorās orderGraduates 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 ā which include mask mandates ā 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.
Texas A&M engineering dean M. Katherine Banks named sole finalist for president
Read full article: Texas A&M engineering dean M. Katherine Banks named sole finalist for presidentM. Katherine Banks, dean of the Texas A&M engineering school, has been named the sole finalist for president of the flagship university. M. Katherine Banks, dean of the college of engineering at Texas A&M University, has been named the sole finalist for president of the flagship university based in College Station after a national search. AdIf approved, Banks will become the second woman president in Texas A&M history after Elsa Murano, who served in the role from 2008 to 2009. Texas A&M is one of a kind and thereās nowhere else Iād rather be.āBanks also oversees the Texas A&M Systemās engineering programs. AdWhen Banks started at Texas A&M, the engineering college had a little more than 11,000 students.
Dwindling food, flooded halls, unflushable toilets: Texasā university dorms descend into chaos during winter storm
Read full article: Dwindling food, flooded halls, unflushable toilets: Texasā university dorms descend into chaos during winter stormāI feel like Iām in hell, like Iām in prison,ā said Texas State University freshman Nicholas Ware, who spent three days without heat and power until Wednesday evening. Anh Adams, another freshman at Texas State, was forced to evacuate her dorm Monday morning after a pipe burst on the floor above her. Texas State officials did not return a request for comment. At Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, students have been without water, which has limited their access to toilets. āPeople have just assumed that that's not something they need to worry about right now.āAdDisclosure: Facebook, Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University 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.
āRyan will never be forgottenā: Boerne native, member of Texas A&M Corps of Cadets dies
Read full article: āRyan will never be forgottenā: Boerne native, member of Texas A&M Corps of Cadets diesRyan Boles, a member of the Corps of Cadets, has died, Texas A&M University confirmed. Image: Texas A&M Corps of CadetsSAN ANTONIO ā A Texas A&M University student from Boerne who was a member of the Corps of Cadets has died, according to the university. Ryan Boles, who was a freshman political science major, died on Sunday, according to the Corps of Cadets and Texas A&M Today. It is with extreme sadness I confirm the death of cadet Ryan Boles ā24, a member of the Corps of Cadets. Boles was a member of the Squadron 8 and was also a member of the Fish Drill Team, according to the Corps of Cadets.
Texas A&M again delays decision on moving Sul Ross statue, as committee warns inaction will damage university
Read full article: Texas A&M again delays decision on moving Sul Ross statue, as committee warns inaction will damage universityThe Texas A&M University community has continued to debate whether to move the Sul Ross statue. On Monday, the system Board of Regents approved yet another task force to determine how to tell A&Mās history through symbols on campus. The new āaction orientedā task force will present their recommendations to the president and board this summer. Instead, many Texas universities decided to address diversity and inclusion issues by investing in diversity training, scholarships and professional development to boost diversity. For her, another task force just further proves to her that university leaders are prioritizing donors, while also āsaving faceā with the financial investment.
UT-Austin keeping most classes virtual through January as coronavirus infections soar in Travis County
Read full article: UT-Austin keeping most classes virtual through January as coronavirus infections soar in Travis CountyThe flagship university is keeping most classes online through January as coronavirus infections soar in Travis County. The University of Texas at Austin is shifting more spring semester classes completely online through the end of January as COVID-19 cases continue to ravage the city and state. When UT-Austin shifted entirely online the week of Thanksgiving, average daily cases hovered around 240 in Travis County. Texas A&M University is also requiring students who live on campus to get tested within the first week of classes, on or before Jan 22. Disclosure: Rice University, Texas A&M 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 A&M investigating ālarge scaleā cheating case as universities see more academic misconduct in era of online classes
Read full article: Texas A&M investigating ālarge scaleā cheating case as universities see more academic misconduct in era of online classesThe University of North Texas saw a 20% increase, and Texas State University saw reports of cheating increase by one-third over the previous fall. According to Powersā email, Texas A&Mās online learning platform, Canvas, tracks how long test questions are displayed on a studentās screen. According to its honor code, Chegg prohibits cheating and will share user information and activity with universities if they suspect foul play. Davenport said thereās even websites where students can pay someone to take their entire online class for them. Thereās something questionable there.āDisclosure: Texas A&M 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.
UT, Texas A&M urge students to get tested for COVID-19 before Thanksgiving
Read full article: UT, Texas A&M urge students to get tested for COVID-19 before ThanksgivingStudents who attend the University of Texas and Texas A&M University are being urged to take a COVID-19 test before they leave campus and head home for the Thanksgiving holiday break. Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp said getting tested can help families and communities feel safe and can avoid any unnecessary exposure to the coronavirus. In addition to getting tested, UT officials are also asking students to self-quarantine seven days prior to traveling and seven days once they have reached their destination, according to a report on KXAN.com. UT officials are also strongly recommending campus community members get tested through the universityās Proactive Community Testing program or through other COVID-19 testing resources in Austin. Both Texas A&M and UT will end in-person classes for the fall semester ahead of the Thanksgiving break with only final exams scheduled in December.
Despite rising COVID-19 cases, universities including Texas Tech and Texas A&M are planning in-person fall graduations
Read full article: Despite rising COVID-19 cases, universities including Texas Tech and Texas A&M are planning in-person fall graduationsTexas Tech administrators said last month the university will host multiple in-person commencement ceremonies over a two-day period, as well as a virtual ceremony. At Texas Tech, students helped drive the effort to bring back in-person commencement. Lamar University and Texas Southern University are also planning in-person graduation ceremonies. Other universities plan to hold in-person commencement ceremonies throughout spring 2021 for those who graduated in spring 2020, depending on the status of the pandemic. Disclosure: Lamar University, Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Southern University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at El Paso, University of Texas at San Antonio 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.
Texas A&M's football game postponed after player, staffer test positive for COVID-19
Read full article: Texas A&M's football game postponed after player, staffer test positive for COVID-19Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas TribuneThe Southeastern Conference has postponed this Saturdayās Texas A&M football game against the University of Tennessee to Dec. 12 after an A&M football player and staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the programās total number of positive cases to three. A second player had tested positive prior to the South Carolina game. In June, 13 University of Texas at Austin athletes tested positive for COVID-19. Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University postponed a game in early September. Disclosure: Texas A&M University, Baylor University, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas Christian University, Southern Methodist University, the University of North Texas and the 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.
2021 spring break for Texas A&M students, staff shortened to just 1 day
Read full article: 2021 spring break for Texas A&M students, staff shortened to just 1 dayBRYAN-COLLEGE STATION ā Texas A&M University students will have a shorter spring break than usual in 2021, according to university officials. The spring break changes were announced via email to students and staff Thursday as the university reached its midpoint of the fall semester. āI want to thank and congratulate our staff, students, and faculty for their outstanding work in this very unusual year,ā Fierke said in a statement. Spring break for students and staff will be Friday, March 19. To view the full academic calendar for the spring semester, visit the universityās website here.
Texas colleges offer free coronavirus tests. Why arenāt more students getting tested?
Read full article: Texas colleges offer free coronavirus tests. Why arenāt 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 ā 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.
Student athletes get COVID-19 tests three times a week, while experts say testing for other university students is lagging
Read full article: Student athletes get COVID-19 tests three times a week, while experts say testing for other university students is laggingPublic 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.
Texas A&M President Michael Young says he will retire May 31 to return to faculty
Read full article: Texas A&M President Michael Young says he will retire May 31 to return to facultyMichael K. Young has been president at Texas A&M University since 2015. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas TribuneTexas A&M University President Michael Young will retire at the end of the academic school year, he said in a letter obtained by The Texas Tribune. Young has expressed a desire to retire and return to teaching and research as a tenured faculty member of the Bush School, Sharp wrote in another letter obtained by the Tribune. The creation of the Institute not only achieves President Youngs desires, it also will allow for an orderly transition from President Young to his eventual successor, Sharp wrote. Our hope is to have the new President chosen and in office by June 1, 2021, Sharp wrote at the time. Disclosure: Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M University System 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 A&M professor, NASA researcher accused of concealing China ties
Read full article: Texas A&M professor, NASA researcher accused of concealing China tiesThe Trump administration has been particularly concerned that professors could exploit their ties to China, and their participation in talent recruitment programs, to steal intellectual property for Beijing's economic benefit. NASA is restricted from using fund for any collaboration or coordination with China, Chinese institutions or any Chinese-owned company. No one in higher education takes security as seriously as we do at The Texas A&M University System, Sharp said in a statement. U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick, the top federal prosecutor for the Southern District of Texas, said the talent recruitment programs exploit our open and free universities." China is building an economic and academic institutions with bricks stolen from others all around the world," Patrick said in a statement.
Were being treated as guinea pigs: Faculty members fear in-person return to Texas universities
Read full article: Were being treated as guinea pigs: Faculty members fear in-person return to Texas universitiesIf faculty members didn't fit in those categories and still wanted to teach remotely, they were asked to have conversations with their department heads about specific accommodations. Texas A&M will have around 1,800 faculty members teaching courses with an in-person component and 1,300 teaching online-only classes, Fierke said. But allowing faculty members to work from home because of individual safety concerns does not seem to be the norm, Kelchen said. There will be around 1,200 faculty members teaching courses with an in-person component. Disclosure: Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University, the Texas A&M University System, Texas Christian University, Texas State University, the University of Texas at Austin and The New York Times 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 A&M can't remove Sul Ross statue without the Legislature's approval, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says
Read full article: Texas A&M can't remove Sul Ross statue without the Legislature's approval, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton saysThe Lawrence Sullivan Sul Ross statue on the campus of Texas A&M University. Shelby Knowles for The Texas TribuneOnly the Texas Legislature has the authority to permanently remove the Lawrence Sullivan Ross statue at Texas A&M University, Attorney General Ken Paxton said in an opinion released Friday. Those task forces will ultimately make a recommendation on how best to address concerns about Sul Ross and other monuments, Young said. A&M System Chancellor John Sharp previously opposed removing the statue, then later said that he supported the task forces' review. "While my personal opinion has not changed about the importance of Lawrence Sullivan Ross to Texas A&M, we Aggies must stand united against racism and love one another," Sharp's statement said.