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In an unprecedented decision, the UT System Board of Regents declined part of the University’s recommendation to increase tuition at a meeting Thursday, but did not do so for any other UT System institution. The regents froze tuition for in-state undergraduates for the next two academic years and raised tuition for all other students.
LONDON — A committee of British lawmakers called Rupert Murdoch unfit to run his global media empire — a finding that reflects just how deeply the phone hacking scandal born of his defunct News of the World has shaken the relationship between the press and politics.
The divisive ruling Tuesday against Murdoch, his son James and three of their executives also exposed the waning influence of the media tycoon, and could jeopardize his control of a major broadcaster.
Earlier this month, the Faculty Council sent a letter to UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa to convey its “strong support” of the tuition increases proposed by the Tuition Policy Advisory Committee (TPAC) and President William Powers Jr. The letter was distributed to members at the council’s meeting on Monday.
Academi, the private military company formerly known as Blackwater USA that was contracted to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq, has acquired a new director with close ties to UT.
WASHINGTON — The General Services Administration inspector general said Monday that he’s investigating possible bribery and kickbacks in the agency, as a central figure in a GSA spending scandal asserted his right to remain silent at a congressional hearing.
Inspector general Brian Miller, responding to a question at the hearing, said, “We do have other ongoing investigations, including all sorts of improprieties, including bribes, including possible kickbacks.”
For Republicans, redistricting is a coveted opportunity to fracture Austin’s predominately liberal vote between safely conservative seats. But sometimes, their meddling backfires.
Shaped like a crude dragon, Texas’ new 21st congressional district stretches from the edge of Hill Country toward Austin before touching down in northern San Antonio. West Campus, parts of Red River and the majority of Downtown comprise the head of the beast.
UT alumnus and lifelong philanthropist Bernard Rapoport passed away Thursday after decades of service to the University.
Armed with a website and a petition, Abolish SG has taken on the Jeffersonian “obligation” to cleanse Student Government of its alleged impurities or dismantle it entirely.
Editor’s note: From a change in automotive topography to Bibles and pornography, these are among our favorite quotes from the past several days.
A Travis county judge ruled today in favor of the University of Texas in a lawsuit against ESPN involving the privacy of the school's conference realignment documents from 2010.
The newly renovated Clark Field is now reserved for about 10 hours per week for the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams, leaving students unable to use the field during team practice.
HOUSTON — The Texas agency that oversees oil and gas drilling in the state has elected a new chairman who will oversee a thorough review ordered by the Legislature.
Barry Smitherman was elected Tuesday chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. He replaces Elizabeth Ames Jones who recently resigned.
The Railroad Commission approves oil and gas drilling permits, and oversees other aspects of the state’s energy field. It does not oversee railroads.
SAN ANTONIO — Clearing the way for the twice-delayed Texas primaries to finally land in May, a federal court on Tuesday handed the state new voting maps for the 2012 elections that satisfied Republicans who flexed their majority but soured Democrats who wanted more seats.
The political repercussions rippled across the state almost instantly. Candidates dropped out of races, incumbents resigned themselves to difficult re-election bids, and GOP leaders renewed hope that Texas may have a say in deciding the Republican presidential nominee after all.
An event organized by numerous University volunteer organizations teamed with the Texas Exes to orchestrate the largest day of community service in UT history.
The Project, which took place on Saturday, involved more than 2,000 participants and focused specifically on the Dove Springs and Onion Creek communities. There were 12 work sites throughout the two areas where volunteers painted murals, planted gardens and performed other beautification tasks.
WASHINGTON — Democrats are playing defense in governors’ races in 2012, protecting eight seats — some in conservative states like North Carolina and Montana — while Republicans are safeguarding just four. But one of those is in Wisconsin, where a recall effort against incumbent Scott Walker has emerged as a national test of the confrontational measures many GOP governors have taken to balance state budgets.
Pressure has mounted on faculty in the semesters following the last Texas legislative session, but endowments can ease the increasing financial burdens that may otherwise push faculty away from the University.
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is sending Congress a new budget that seeks to achieve $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade through cuts in government spending and higher taxes on the wealthy. At the same time, he wants to boost spending in key areas such as transportation and education.
The spending blueprint is certain to spark an election-year battle with Republicans, who are vowing to oppose Obama’s tax hikes. They contend the president is not doing enough to attack a dangerous deficit problem.
Editor’s note: From developments in the Occupy movement to Willie Nelson’s endorsement of Mayor Lee Leffingwell, the following quotes are among the best from the last few days.
At its meeting Monday, Faculty Council discussed a new University policy, issued Jan. 11, prohibiting camping on University property. Few in attendance doubted what triggered the policy change: the Occupy movement, which is moving nationwide to campuses.
WASHINGTON — Ignoring a presidential veto threat, the Democratic-controlled Senate moved methodically Thursday to complete a massive defense bill that would deny suspected terrorists, even U.S. citizens seized within the nation’s borders, the right to trial and subject them to indefinite detention.
With finals far from her thoughts, Charity Chukwu dodged a joust from Amber Olivas and rushed forward to knock her opponent from her pedestal. She paused, caught her breath and stood in victory as her opponent lay in defeat.
The dedication of Caven Lacrosse and Sports Center at Clark Field is the silver lining that emerged from tragedy, said former Board of Regents chairman Scott Caven Jr.
At a dedication ceremony for the center Friday, Caven said the naming of the field in honor of his family would forever serve as a reminder of the four generations of his family that attended the University as well as his son, who died in a car accident shortly before beginning at UT.
A New York Times reporter who interviewed former NASDAQ chairman and financial criminal Bernie Madoff said Madoff was able to perpetrate an international Ponzi scheme in part because of his unique approach to potential investors.
Diana Henriques, senior financial writer at the New York Times, spoke to about 150 people as part of a symposium on law and financial markets hosted by the School of Law.
After the death of his father from heart failure and diabetes, David Bales began advocating responsible stem cell research for the health benefits which it promotes. He is now the chairman of Texans for Stem Cell Research, a charitable pro-life foundation which encourages adult stem cell research.
Texans for Stem Cell Research sponsored a speech by Dr. Emerson Perin, an expert in heart treatment through stem cell therapy at the AT&T Conference Center on Tuesday.
Editor’s Note: The following quotes are from the second hearing of the Legislature’s Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency held Monday at the Capitol.
