Higher Education Headlines: Dec. 6
By Sheryl E. Taylor
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Rice University Will Investigate Professor Who Said He Worked on First Genetically Altered Babies—The Chronicle of Higher Education
The professor, Michael W. Deem, told the news service that he was in China when participants gave their consent for the experiment, which his collaborator, He Jiankui, has said resulted in the birth of twin girls.
With $10M gift, UH Data Science Institute to craft Houston’s Tech Identity—The Houston Business Journal (Subscription access only)
“Not everyone has to be an expert data scientist, but everyone should have an idea.”
The Higher-Education Legacy of Pres. George H.W. Bush—The Chronicle of Higher Education
In his single term as the 41st U.S. president, from 1989 to 1993, Bush’s role proved significant for the academy.
In Unusual Letter, Democratic Senators Ask “U.S. News” to Change Emphasis of College Rankings—The Chronicle of Higher Education
Six senators wrote in a letter to U.S. News & World Report, compiler of the most prominent college rankings in the country, that more weight should be given to institutions that open their doors to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Lone Star College Probing Details of Grants Awarded to Ineligible Students—Houston Chronicle
The Lone Star College System announced that a federal audit determined it gave out $13.8 million of financial aid to ineligible students over a four-year period.
Texas Tech, New Mexico Junior College sign transfer deal—Houston Chronicle
The Albuquerque Journal reports the deal between the Lubbock, Texas, school and the Hobbs, New Mexico, college will allow New Mexico transfer students to qualify for Texas in-state tuition.
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
