Higher Education

The ruling comes just weeks after a federal lawsuit was filed in an effort to block the school’s ban on drag shows.

George Stewart sued Texas Tech University Health Science Center and five other medical schools claiming they rejected him in favor of lesser qualified students of color.

The move comes a few weeks after the Texas A&M System issued a similar ban, which is being challenged in court.

The report found that 16 universities qualify as Tier 1 institutions, compared to 14 in California and 11 in New York.

Abbott's comments came after A&M invited staffers and students to attend a conference that a conservative activist said broke the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Faculty senates have long played a key role in developing curriculum and protecting open inquiry. State leaders have also accused them of liberal indoctrination.

State law prohibits schools from making direct name, image and likeness deals with athletes. Texas Tech says it puts them at a disadvantage as the university recruits athletes for fall 2025.

The Legislature banned diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public colleges and universities but the prohibition was not supposed to affect academics. Now, Republicans are suggesting DEI-related content in classrooms is hindering efforts to prepare students for the workforce.

According to the Texas Water Development Board, last month was the driest October since 1952 and the hottest on record since 1895. Texas Public Radio’s Marian Navarro has more on Gov. Abbott saying he will not support tuition increases in public higher education through 2027. The city of Odessa has banned transgender people from using restrooms that align with their gender identity.

The governor’s directive extends a tuition freeze for Texas’ public universities that was approved in the last legislative session.