How Republicansโ threats to tenure and diversity might undercut their own efforts to advance Texasโ universities
Texas 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.
University of Houston asked students to wear neon vests after police drew weapon on a Black student
The university distributed vests to theater students after an officer drew a gun on a Black student rehearsing a violent scene last year. Officials walked back the requirement amid recent student criticism.
Settlement with conservative free speech group forces University of Houston to keep amended anti-harassment policy
The conservative group Speech First argued that the anti-discrimination policy restricting โoffensive speech about personal characteristics such race, ethnicity or genderโ violates studentsโ First Amendment rights. The university agreed to keep its amended policy as part of a settlement.
UT 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.
โIโm still trying to recoverโ: Some Texans are still bearing the brunt of the 2021 winter storm
Last Februaryโs winter storm left millions of Texans without power for days in subfreezing temperatures. Watch how one family whose home suffered extensive damage is preparing for the next round of cold weather.
Almost 70% of ERCOT customers lost power during winter storm, study finds
As the updated death toll from Februaryโs winter storm reached 111 deaths last week, the severity of its full force has continued to come into focus. AdThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas manages the stateโs main power grid, which represents 90% of Texasโ electric load and serves more than 26 million customers, according to the agency. Black Texans were โmodestly more likelyโ to have lost power than white Texans, according to the study. The company wants lawmakers to create a revenue stream to Berkshire through an additional charge on Texansโ power bills. AdโIn 2011, when we were asking questions about that winter storm, we were receiving promises and commitments that winterization would occur so that sort of thing wouldn't happen again,โ he said.
Point of Order: Higher edโs gap year
Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune. (Audio unavailable. Disclosure: The University of Houston has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Man accused of making bomb threat against Texas university during Zoom lecture
A man has been arrested after being accused of making a bomb threat against the University of Houston during a Zoom lecture. Ibraheem Ahmed Al Bayati was set to make his initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon, according to U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick. Investigators allege his discussion about the Islamic State was a reference to the terrorist organization. Al Bayati has been charged with making threats or conveying false information to destroy by means of fire or explosives and making a threat over interstate commerce. If convicted, Al Bayati faces up to 10 years in prison.
Houston mourns loss of former assistant coach that died in helicopter crash with Kobe Bryant
HOUSTON โ John Altobelli, a former University of Houston letterwinner and assistant coach, is among the nine people, including NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, that was killed in a helicopter crash Sunday morning in southern California. Altobelliโs wife and his daughter were also killed in the crash, according to the University of Houston. โJohn was a huge supporter of the Cougars and numerous players from Orange Coast College have played for us through the years.โHouston mourns the passing of former letterwinner & assistant coach John Altobelli. Altobelli was entering his 28th season as the head coach at Orange Coast College, where he was the longest-tenured baseball coach in school history. OCC baseball team mourning loss of coach John Altobelli in helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant.