Southwest
Texas 'free speech' university's admissions process shuns the DEI blueprint: 'Interested in the mind'
At this Texas university, getting accepted is “mind” over matter.
The University of Austin (UATX) – founded on free speech principles to push back against “woke” ideology – is shunning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies for what some call MEI – merit, excellence and intelligence, and it’s just another way the school is shaking up higher education.
“We don’t take any of that into consideration in admissions,” Pano Kanelos, president of the university, told CBS News of race, ethnicity and gender. “The primary thing that we’re interested in is the mind.”
Merit, excellence and intelligence (MEI) centers on qualifications and abilities, particularly emphasizing the “capacity to think deeply,” according to Kanelos.
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUSTIN OFFERS ‘FORBIDDEN COURSES.’ WHY ARE STUDENTS PRAISING THEM?
The University of Austin offers a free speech alternative to more progressive universities. (iStock, The University of Austin)
It’s an idea that pushes back on increasingly controversial DEI policies that prioritize specific ethnicities, racial backgrounds or other demographics in admissions and hiring processes. Once a staple among many companies and institutions of higher education, the concept appears to be losing steam as some dial back its presence.
The University of Florida, for instance, eliminated all of its DEI positions earlier this year to comply with state law. Universities in Alabama, including the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, also dissolved their DEI offices to comply with state law.
Companies are also backtracking from DEI, including retail giant Walmart, who hopped onboard the trend this week after companies like Ford, John Deere, Toyota and others did the same.
Critics of DEI suggest such policies prioritize appearance and basic qualities over credentials or experience. MEI critics have a different concern, however. “60 Minutes” correspondent Jon Wertheim remarked that UATX’s student body appeared to not be “particularly diverse” as he discussed the admissions policy with some school founders.
TEXAS UNIVERSITY CLEARS DEI OFFICES, LAYS OFF EMPLOYEES IN LIGHT OF NEW STATE LAW: REPORT
Students at The University of Austin are admitted on a merit basis, according to school founders. (iStock)
Diversity looks different at UATX, its founders say.
“We are putting resources into finding talent of an intellectual variety. And if you’re interested in diversity, I recommend you look at the social backgrounds of our students, at the family circumstances of our students,” British-American historian Niall Ferguson, another member of the university’s founding group, responded.
Another of its founders is Bari Weiss, the former New York Times opinion journalist who now runs the independent site The Free Press, which values free speech and debate.
The admissions process – and the school itself – offer a more conservative alternative to the overwhelmingly left-leaning elite universities like Harvard, Yale, Columbia and their public rivals, some of which, like universities in Florida and Alabama, have downsized or entirely dissolved their DEI departments as seasons change.
NEW STUDY FINDS DEI INITIATIVES CREATING ‘HOSTILE ATTRIBUTION BIAS’
DEI policies seek to end racial and other inequities by prioritizing select groups for acceptance. (iStock)
Currently, UATX relies on donor generosity to thrive, but the assumption that all donors are conservative business moguls is flawed. In fact, the free speech policy resonates with liberal donor Nadine Strossen, according to the article.
She insists that “punishing expression” does more harm than good. As she replied to a question about “hateful speech” at UATX, she replied: “My concern is to try to eliminate the underlying discriminatory attitudes. You don’t do that by punishing expression. You do that through education, through more speech, not less.”
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Los Angeles, Ca
Woman killed by driver while crossing PCH in Long Beach
A woman was struck and killed by a driver while crossing the street on Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach.
On June 3, the female pedestrian was using the crosswalk at Pacific Coast Highway and Pacific Avenue around 4:50 a.m.
She had walked against a red light and was hit by a 19-year-old driver in a Chevy sedan, Long Beach police said.
Despite lifesaving efforts, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
“At this time, impaired driving, distracted driving and excessive speed are not believed to be a factor in this collision,” police said.
The woman’s name is being withheld pending identification by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on the incident is asked to call Detective Joseph Johnson at 562-570-7355.
Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Los Angeles, Ca
Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico
A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.
The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024.
Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.
Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan.
The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.
In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.
The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.
The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.
Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved.
Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.
Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest.
“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”
On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge.
“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”
Los Angeles, Ca
NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire
The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]
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