Higher Education Headlines: March 9
By Sheryl E. Taylor
Novel Coronavirus Prompts Rice University to Cancel In-Person Classes for a Week —Houston Chronicle
A working group formed by the university's crisis management team and faculty senate is preparing for the possibility of classes needing to being taught remotely through a longer time period. [Subscription Required.]
A&M Study: The Future of Texas Depends on Climate Preparedness—The Texas Tribune
A study by five Aggie scientists indicates Texas should prepare for more extreme weather in the coming years — though it offers some glimmers of hope.
No Place to Hide: Colleges Track Students, Everywhere—The Wall Street Journal
Students use tech to follow students online, on the quad and in the football stadium. [Subscription Required.]
One University’s Leadership Crisis Started in Admissions. An Investigation Found Alleged Bribery and Thousands of Dollars Stashed Under a Calendar.—The Chronicle of Higher Education
The scandal appeared to touch off Texas Southern University’s recent leadership crisis — culminating in a vacated presidency, protests against the board, and accreditor questions.
Six at UH Under Coronavirus ‘self-quarantine’ After Traveling Abroad—Houston Chronicle
Six students and faculty members at the University of Houston are self-quarantined after returning from trips to South Korea and Italy — a precautionary measure amid the spreading coronavirus outbreak, the university announced. [Subscription Required.]
Enrollment Headaches From the Coronavirus are Many. They Won’t Be Relieved Soon.—The Chronicle of Higher Education
For American colleges at the height of the admissions season, the outbreak of the contagious respiratory illness is forcing them to work on parallel tracks. On one, it’s business as usual. On the other, they are planning for contingencies, including the possibility that Covid-19could prevent large groups of international students from enrolling next fall.
Who Holds America’s $1.5 Trillion Student-Loan Debt?—The Chronicle of Higher Education
Unraveling the complexity of America’s student-loan debt.
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.
