Higher Education

An event organized by a student group intended to discuss abortion was cancelled by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center late last month, after backlash from conservative activists and Turning Point USA at Texas Tech. Now, another free speech group is calling on the TTUHSC to allow them to reschedule the event.

The system’s chancellor meant to instill clarity and accountability, but three weeks into the spring semester, some instructors say the standards have led to “censorship.”

The Texas governor expects an action plan later this week, saying he doesn't see "any reason" visa holders should be employed in schools.

As students return to colleges and universities across Texas, questions remain regarding discussions of gender and race in the classroom and on campus. Our Samantha Larned reports on the latest from the Texas Tech and Texas A&M university systems.

As students return to colleges and universities across the state, questions remain regarding discussions of gender and race on Texas campuses. Faculty with the Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University systems are dealing with the impact of new policies on their class curriculums, as West Texas A&M continues to face legal challenges to its drag performance ban.

Legal questions remain in the “resign-to-run” disagreement between Lubbock County Precinct 2 Commissioner Jason Corley and County Judge Curtis Parrish. Corley was restored to the commission, at least temporarily, at the end of December, while the case for his possible replacement is under review by the Texas Supreme Court. Meanwhile, KERA's Bill Zeeble reports that the state has launched a website where folks can file complaints about public colleges and universities, tied to recent laws like anti-DEI legislation.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board office of the Ombudsman has opened a new website where people can report alleged violations of state law in colleges and universities.

A recent study finds rural nurses have to navigate a lack of resources and support when training to provide specialized sexual assault care. And Texas is officially the first state to stop relying on the American Bar Association to approve law schools. KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports an order this week gives that responsibility to the Texas Supreme Court. Meanwhile, flu cases in Texas continue to surge, reaching their highest numbers so far this flu season.

The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday finalized a tentative opinion issued in September that no longer requires soon-to-be lawyers to attend a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. The power to approve those law schools now rests with the state's highest civil court.

Following the Dec. 1 memorandum from Texas Tech University System Chancellor Brandon Creighton, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression sent letters to each of the five presidents within the Tech system, calling upon them not to restrict academic freedom or classroom instruction based on viewpoint.