Higher Education Headlines: Jan. 3
By Sheryl E. Taylor
Get your daily dose of higher ed headlines. Just a click away.
So Long, Erwin Center: Texas Expects New Basketball Arena to Open in 2021—Houston Chronicle
The University of Texas system board of regents gave unanimously passed a motion to allow UT-Austin and a faction led by Oak View Group (OVG) to build a new on-campus arena that will house Texas men's and women's basketball games, graduations, concerts, and other events.
UT-Austin Says that Evidence “does not support a finding” that Charles Schwertner Violated Title IX by Sending Lewd Texts—Texas Tribune [Editor’s note: This story contains explicit language.]
An executive summary of the report, said Schwertner had not fully cooperated with investigators, but that it was “plausible” a third party had sent the lewd messages from an application that both that party and the senator had access to.
Texas Makes Public Colleges Forbid contractors to Boycott Israel. A Lawsuit Says that Violates the First Amendment.—The Chronicle of Higher Education
A University of Houston contractor who has supported the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement against Israel said in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday that he had lost out on paid work because of his political views.
Lone Star Kingwood Nearing Completion of Post-Harvey Renovations—Houston Chronicle
Many Lone Star College stakeholders are excited to return to Kingwood after six out of the nine campus buildings flooded during Harvey, causing about $60 million in damages.
Lone Star College System to Appeal Findings that It Owes $14 Million in Federal Funds—Houston Chronicle
During a program review of the college, the Department of Education found that more than 6,000 students received Pell Grants, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants and federal loans over a four-year period, which made up about 2 percent of the almost $663 million awarded from 2012 to 2016.
University of Missouri Enters World of Competitive Gaming—Houston Chronicle
The University of Missouri is taking video gaming to the next level. The school recently became a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports, which is the largest college-level competitive gaming scene in the country.
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.
