As monkeypox spreads, health experts urge Texas universities to prepare for outbreaks
While the risk of exposure to monkeypox remains low, health experts say college students living in close proximity to each other could spur outbreaks. They encourage schools to share their plans and relevant information about the virus.
Carolyn V. McKee
Carolyn V. McKee Carolyn Vickery Biediger Barnes McKee, 79, passed away quickly on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022, which is fitting since Easter caps Holy Week, when we celebrate Christ’s life, death, resurrection and our salvation in Christ. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 24, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Uvalde,
uvaldeleadernews.comUT Austin will allow students to live together on campus regardless of gender or sexual identity
The two-year pilot program comes after at least 15 years of students asking for the change. It will allow UT-Austin students to live together in certain residence halls with students of any gender or sexual identity.
Texas universities with federal contracts are caught between Greg Abbott and Joe Biden over COVID-19 vaccine mandates
While some universities in other states that hold federal contracts have mandated vaccines for all employees, many Texas universities, which collectively have billions in federal contracts, are still reviewing the executive order before it goes into effect Dec. 8.
From free tuition to concert tickets, Texas colleges lure students and employees to get vaccinated
Texas public universities forbidden from mandating vaccines are trying to entice students and faculty to get the shot. Those moves come as more people ages 18 to 29 years old in Texas are being hospitalized with the virus.
Businesses near Texas Tech worry Big 12 shakeup will stir financial trouble, even if Lubbock’s economy isn’t in danger
Lubbock is one of the few sports hubs in West Texas, meaning college football games draw out-of-town crowds that fill local shops, restaurants and hotels. Some business owners and leaders there worry about lost revenue once the University of Texas and University of Oklahoma stop playing there.
University of Texas president defends decision to join SEC as lawmakers criticize timing and impact on other schools
Jay Hartzell said the switch to the Southeastern Conference was the best thing for UT-Austin’s student athletes and the university. Texas senators expressed disdain for the move and questioned how it came about.
Lawmakers concerned about UT leaving Big 12 conference make their case to Gov. Greg Abbott's office
As the college athletics world roils over the possibility of the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma leaving the Big 12 conference, a group of Texas legislators with ties to other unive[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] Sports San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comSome Texas colleges keep spring break while others adapt due to pandemic concerns
People gathered on the beach in front of Clayton’s 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. Ad“With spring break, the biggest high risks are going to be people who are young adults,” Cervantes said. “We encourage you to make good decisions during spring break, just as you did during winter break, and follow the university’s public health guidance: wWear a mask (double up!
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.
Scholar Athlete: Kylie Mask, Lytle High School
Kylie Mask of Lytle High School is awarded the Scholar Athlete of the Week for Instant Replay. SAN ANTONIO – Meet Instant Replay’s newest Scholar Athlete of the Week, Kylie Mask of Lytle High School. Kylie is the captain and four-year member of the varsity basketball team. She’s a member of the National Honor Society, the Drama club and is the editor-in-chief of the school’s yearbook. Kylie has already been accepted to Texas Tech University where she plans to compete on Tech’s collegiate rodeo team.
UT-Austin keeping most classes virtual through January as coronavirus infections soar in Travis County
The 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.
One wanted normalcy and one went remote: How two West Texas universities operated in COVID-19 hot spots this fall
This fall, two Texas universities found themselves in regions of the state engulfed in some of the worst coronavirus surges seen across the nation: the University of Texas at El Paso and Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Texas Tech also bucked national trends and allowed tailgating to continue before football games, which had fewer spectators. At its peak, 415 Texas Tech students tested positive for the virus in one week in late August. Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec talks to Keith Kiser before Texas Tech’s homecoming game against West Virginia. Texas Tech officials said they are going to be stricter about enforcing mask policies throughout the games than they were during the football season.
Despite rising COVID-19 cases, universities including Texas Tech and Texas A&M are planning in-person fall graduations
Texas 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.
In Lubbock, pandemic fatigue sets in as hospitalizations rise
LUBBOCK — Rambunctious drinkers fill a row of bars just off Texas Tech University’s campus Saturday. Shelby Mayfield, a Texas Tech senior, was at Little Woodrow’s bar in southwest Lubbock with a few friends and one of their mothers Saturday. The chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, a physician, tested positive this month. Texas Tech is one of the few state universities that has allowed tailgating to continue with safety restrictions in place. And this really isn't normal yet is it?”Disclosure: Texas Medical Association, Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University System and 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.
Coronavirus is surging in college towns. The worst spot? Texas
Texas Tech fans file into the Red Raiders’ Jones AT&T Stadium, where they were required to wear masks until seated. AdvertisementAt Texas Tech, though the traditional homecoming parade was called off, last year’s king and queen still met this year’s winners in person wearing masks for the crowning. Flores said she was aghast seeing this season’s Texas Tech football crowds on television. At least one Texas Tech student posted a video on Twitter this fall in which she claimed to be partying after testing positive for the virus. With the holiday season approaching, experts worry that college students returning home could spread the coronavirus to family members.
latimes.comAs Texas college towns emerge as coronavirus hot spots, universities try to keep students from infecting locals
Fans walk toward the stadium for the first home football game of the season at the University of Texas at Austin. That’s compared to 23% in counties with a smaller proportion of students, including larger metropolitan areas like Houston and Dallas that also house universities. The Texas counties where university students make up the biggest share of the population are home to Texas State University, Texas Tech University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Sul Ross State University, Sam Houston State University, and several A&M campuses, including the flagship in College Station, Tarleton State University, Prairie View A&M University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Texas A&M University-Commerce. “It’s not about me,” Cook said, in a mantra he has repeated to college students. Disclosure: Prairie View A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Sul Ross State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University System, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas System, 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.
As Texas college towns emerge as coronavirus hot spots, universities try to keep students from infecting locals
That’s compared to 23% in counties with a smaller proportion of students, including larger metropolitan areas like Houston and Dallas that also house universities. The Texas counties where university students make up the biggest share of the population are home to Texas State University, Texas Tech University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Sul Ross State University, Sam Houston State University, and several A&M campuses, including the flagship in College Station, Tarleton State University, Prairie View A&M University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Texas A&M University-Commerce. It will take time for data to show the extent to which campus cases have spread into broader local communities — as long as a month, Kissler said. Since Aug. 1, Texas Tech has logged more than 1,400 cases of COVID-19, including at least 1,266 among students. “It’s not about me,” Cook said, in a mantra he has repeated to college students.
sacurrent.comTexas college football is limiting stadium capacity, mandating masks and testing athletes. Heres what you need to know.
Many athletics officials seized on that number, including UT-Austin Athletics Director Chris Del Conte as recently as last week. At Texas Tech University, officials are also looking at capping stadium capacity at 25%. The Texas Tech athletics department is projecting a loss of $14.1 million from interrupted ticket sales and other pandemic-related expenses, athletics director Kirby Horcutt has said. The Big 12 Conference which includes Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech and the No. Disclosure: Texas A&M, Baylor 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.
Free laptops, esports and tuition cuts: How one Dallas college is pivoting during the pandemic
Paul Quinn College in Dallas. Eddie Gaspar/The Texas TribunePaul Quinn College students will not return to the Dallas school's campus this fall, President Michael Sorrell announced Thursday. The university also plans to provide Wi-Fi hotspots and laptops to every college student in need. Paul Quinn has also joined a historically Black college and university esports network to replace canceled fall sports. Even as colleges continue to move more classes online, tuition rates for many of Texas largest universities, including the University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston, University of North Texas and Texas Tech University, will stay the same.
Texas Tech tests the waters for fall semester by bringing 350 students to campus for summer classes
The 350 students returning to the Texas Tech campus represent a small fraction of the 10,278 who are enrolled in the second round of summer courses, university President Lawrence Schovanec told The Texas Tribune. Texas Tech UniversityAround 350 students returned to Texas Tech Universitys sprawling grounds in Lubbock on Tuesday, resuming in-person classes for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic closed the campus in March. As late as July 1, Texas State University in San Marcos was set to open doors for an in-person summer session beginning earlier this week. Garrett Casey, a rising senior at Texas Tech, said hes viewing in-person classes with some trepidation. Texas Tech staff members like Ian Barba are also wary of students being back on campus.
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.
In rural Texas, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought more accessible mental health care
But in some ways, people in rural Texas have better access to health care than theyd ever had before. Greg Abbott temporarily waived restrictions on telehealth, allowing mental health care providers and local mental health authorities to broadly expand services and collect reimbursement for online appointments more easily. The state also implemented a mental health hotline in March that offers free over-the-phone support and provides resources and information to callers who need help. About 440,000 of the half-million Texas households without access to broadband are in rural Texas. For now, experts are hopeful for telehealths potential to improve mental health care in rural Texas.
East Central all-state lefty ready to take next step
East Central all-state lefty ready to take next stepMatthew Luna delivers a pitch in the first inning for the Hornets as Canyon hosts East Central in boys baseball last March. Matthew Luna delivers a pitch in the first inning for the Hornets as Canyon hosts East Central in boys baseball last March. Photo: Tom Reel /Staff Photographer Photo: Tom Reel /Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close East Central all-state lefty ready to take next step 1 / 1 Back to GalleryWhen you scroll through East Central senior pitcher Matthew Lunas Twitter account, you notice that he celebrates others college signings as enthusiastically as his own. Luna himself signed a national letter of intent to attend Texas Tech University on Nov. 13. First-year East Central coach Eric Vasquez anticipates that Luna could be a Texas Tech starter in 2021.
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