Higher Education

The University of Texas System Board of Regents this week will consider how controversial topics are taught. It’s a move driven by conservative new laws that critics say target LGBTQ+ students and DEI programs.

A Brooklyn artist told the Denton Record-Chronicle that the University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design was removing an entire exhibit of his work, which was scheduled to open on Feb. 19.

The American Association of University Professors has started a petition against policies that limit classroom discussions about topics including race and gender.

Officials did not say which or how many academic programs were identified as needing further review.

University assistant professor Anna Hinton was put on administrative leave with pay in mid-September after a student’s alleged complaint about an anti-pornography film shown in class.

The governor said public universities and state agencies may not seek new visas without Texas Workforce Commission permission through the end of the 2027 legislative session.

Among other things, the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee is tasked with developing new dietary and nutrition guidelines and new educational requirements. The committee has less than a year to produce a report that could effect all levels of education — including Texas medical schools.

Federal funding cuts and international student enrollment drops are contributing to the university’s budget concerns.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board office of the Ombudsman has opened a new website where people can report alleged violations of state law in colleges and universities.

The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday finalized a tentative opinion issued in September that no longer requires soon-to-be lawyers to attend a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. The power to approve those law schools now rests with the state's highest civil court.

Following the Dec. 1 memorandum from Texas Tech University System Chancellor Brandon Creighton, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression sent letters to each of the five presidents within the Tech system, calling upon them not to restrict academic freedom or classroom instruction based on viewpoint.

The Collin County program only accepts "open-minded" first-time offenders with an eligible case and an attorney. Court records show 12 have been accepted and two more have pending applications.