Austin, TX
UT Austin students protest layoffs over new DEI ban
Students at the University of Texas at Austin protested Thursday after the school laid off more than 60 staff members to comply with Texas’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) ban that went into effect earlier this year.
About 200 students at the university disrupted a virtual faculty council meeting conducted by the university’s president Monday to oppose the layoffs, NBC News reported.
The Texas State Employees Union posted on the social media platform X that a rally would be happening on UT Austin’s campus midday Thursday to rally “in solidarity with those who were abruptly fired from positions formerly associated with DEI.”
The decision, the group said, “leaves the staff unemployed as of July and deeply impacts a wide range of programs that serve our campus community.”
The university recently laid off 60 employees who worked in DEI-related fields, including 40 who were in the Division of Campus and Community Engagement.
The layoffs come as the school looks to comply with Senate Bill 17, a law that banned DEI initiatives at public universities in the state that went into effect earlier this year.
The school’s president, Jay Hartzell, said in an email that the institutions knew the changes were coming before the start of the year.
“We knew that more work would be required to utilize our talent and resources most effectively in support of our teaching and research missions, and ultimately, our students,” Hartzell wrote.
The students who disrupted the faculty meeting said they wanted to show Hartzell they want transparency and communication.
Other state public institutions have also faced intense scrutiny to prove compliance with the law. State Sen. Brandon Creighton told university leaders that institutions could lose funding if they don’t follow the law.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
AUSTIN, Texas — APD SWAT responded to a barricaded subject in East Austin Saturday afternoon.
According to police, the incident took place near the 3400 block of Kay St., and officers responded to the call at around 1:30 p.m.
Once officers arrived, they made contact with a victim who “advised of circumstances that met the state law requirement of assault with a deadly weapon family violence.” Shortly after, the suspect barricaded themselves inside the residence.
ALSO: National Weather Service warns of storms with gusty winds
Austin Police officers, SWAT, hostage negotiators, and Austin-Travis County EMS were still on the scene and the suspect was still barricaded as of 6:15 p.m.
People are being encouraged to avoid the area due to increased police presence, or stay in a safe location if they are unable to avoid the area.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (1)
This is a developing story and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
A 27-year-old Pflugerville man faces capital murder charges for allegedly killing his parents and his brother, according to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. The bodies of 62-year-old Armand, 63-year-old Jami and 31-year-old Noah Dahan were found by deputies conducting a welfare check Thursday at their home on Civorno Drive. Deputies said the victims had suffered gunshot wounds. https://www.kxan.com/news/crime/tcso-pflugerville-triple-homicide/
AUSTIN, Texas — The Long Center just dropped details on The Drop-In, a free summer concert series on the outdoor H-E-B Stage.
The Levitt VIBE Austin Music Series, which is partnered with KUTX 98.9, begins May 21 and takes place every Thursday except July 2.
On Friday, the center released the 23 artists performing:
- Bonnie Montgomery
- CAZAYOUX
- Como Las Movies
- Fastball
- Felt Out
- francene rouelle
- Girl Guitar’s Rhinestone Renegades
- Grace Sorensen
- Gus Baldwin & The Sketch
- Hayden Butler
- Jackie Venson
- Je’Texas
- KindKeith
- Lew Apollo
- Lindsay Beaver
- Los Desechos
- LUCIRI
- Mean Jolene
- Paige Plaisance
- Ruthie Craft
- Sue Foley
- Sweet Limb
- The Magic Rockers of Texas
A social media poster for the event also featured a redacted performer’s name, hinting at a surprise guest.
On Monday, the Long Center will open RSVPs for The Drop-In, with Long Center members getting first dibs on those RSVPs. Members also enjoy early entrance and a special lounge.
-
Politics2 minutes agoVideo: The G.O.P. Rush To Break Up Majority-Black Districts
-
Business8 minutes agoHow ‘The View’ Landed at the Center of a Free Speech Battle
-
Science14 minutes agoPentagon Releases Files on U.F.O.s
-
Health20 minutes agoGuava for Weight Loss Is a Real Thing—Here’s the Juicy Truth
-
Culture32 minutes agoWhy Is Everyone Obsessed With Bogs?
-
Lifestyle38 minutes agoHow ‘Mile End Kicks’ Nailed the Indie Sleaze Look
-
Technology50 minutes agoThese great digital gifts will arrive just in time for Mother’s Day
-
World56 minutes agoNorth Korea updates constitution to require automatic nuclear strike if Kim Jong Un is assassinated: report