Texas
Is banning DEI in college courses the next step for Texas?
Texas lawmakers are eyeing how DEI is woven into college courses and how much influence faculty senates have on campuses.
A group of senators met on Monday to debate two issues that are some of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s legislative properties for next year’s session.
Patrick wants legislators to review the role of faculty senates and enforce Texas’ ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs at state colleges and universities.
The DEI ban, which passed last year, has exceptions for research and course instruction. However, during Monday’s hearing, lawmakers suggested that instruction might be targeted next.
“While DEI-related curriculum and course content does not explicitly violate the letter of the law, it indeed contradicts its spirit,” said Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, who authored the DEI ban and oversees the Senate higher education subcommittee.
Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, who opposes the DEI ban, said as colleges have reviewed programs, they have “revealed no so-called smoking gun, proving that DEI is racist or exclusionary as some of my colleagues continue to suggest.”
West emphasized that while many associate DEI with race, DEI programs eliminated to comply with the new law included those for veterans and various faculty support groups.
He questioned Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh III on academic minors that were cut last week, including one for LGBTQ studies.
The Dallas senator asked whether political motivation was behind the decision to cut that specific minor. Welsh denied any.
A&M faculty members have complained about the way university officials cut these programs without consulting them. Welsh agreed that faculty was not “sufficiently” involved in that decision but will participate moving forward.
Creighton said he received multiple reports about college courses that have DEI content woven in across various fields of study. The subcommittee’s goal is to examine programs and certificates that “perpetuate any discriminatory efforts within diversity, equity and inclusion,” he said.
Courses that have such lessons in them do not “reflect the expectations of Texas taxpayers and students who fund our public universities,” Creighton said.
Much of the day’s focus explored how the politics of faculty senate members potentially play a role in what’s taught on campuses.
He asked repeatedly whether political interference from faculty members influence decisions and votes for the approval of programs.
Jay Hartzell, president of the University of Texas at Austin, stressed that new courses are implemented based on market demand.
Holley Love, faculty senate president at the University of Houston, said faculty’s political leanings do not impact decisions on what’s taught. Creighton pressed asking if she has seen any example of faculty developing curriculum based on political leanings. She said no.
During public testimony, dozens spoke in support of DEI and faculty senates. Most were current and former students of Texas colleges, as well as professors.
Many asked lawmakers to reverse the state law that now prevents public colleges and universities from having DEI offices and programs that are specific to certain races or genders, arguing DEI creates an inclusive environment for students who historically were excluded from higher education.
Critics of DEI say DEI favors race or gender over merit and stifles freedom of speech by compelling people to believe in the same belief system.
Invited panelists who oppose how DEI is included in various college courses included Sherry Sylvester of the Texas Public Policy Foundation and Nick Down of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.
Sylvester said the culture on Texas campuses “revolve around identity politics, gender and race theory and a bedrock belief that America’s built and maintained on systemic racism, oppression and privilege.”
It’s critical that the subcommittee look into what’s being taught in university classrooms, Sylvester added.
The DEI ban was passed last legislative session and went into effect Jan. 1 and has impacted DEI offices, LGBTQ centers, scholarships, programs for immigrant students and others.
The group of senators will “review how these programs and their curricula are misaligned with the workforce demands of our state and recommend reforms to ensure that universities are educating students in ways that meet current Texas workforce needs,” Creighton said.
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.
Texas
Tre Johnson, Texas Longhorns Scrape Past Saint Joseph’s to Win Legends Classic
The Texas Longhorns are heading back to Austin with some early-season tournament hardware in hand.
Tre Johnson battled through another poor shooting night but closed the game out for Texas once again, scoring a game-high 17 points to lead the Longhorns to a 67-58 win over Saint Joseph’s at the Legends Classic championship round in Brooklyn Friday night.
Transfer guard Julian Larry sparked the Longhorns late, scoring all 12 of his points in the second half. Arthur Kaluma added 14 points, four rebounds and four assists while Kadin Shedrick had 10 points and six rebounds.
The Hawks were led by Rasheer Fleming, who stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, 20 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and three steals. Xzayvier Brown added 15 points on 4 of 7 shooting.
The Longhorns jumped out to an 11-6 lead after seven early points from Kaluma. St. Joe’s started out cold from the field but controlled the game with hard-nosed defense and the occasional press while dominating the offensive glass. This was highlighted by a possession where the Hawks got four consecutive offensive rebounds but only scored one point as a result.
Johnson stayed aggressive on offense for Texas but was off on his shot and was impacted by the on-ball defense of St. Joe’s.
Mark, Pope and Johnson all hit a triple for Texas in about a two-minute span ahead of halftime to give the Longhorns their biggest lead at 32-26 but the Hawks responded with a free throw from Haskins 3-pointer from Brown before halftime to cut the lead to 32-30.
The defense from the Hawks ramped up even more, as the Longhorns were stuck in the mud on offense and had little to no ball movement. St. Joe’s was hardly much better, but its defense continued to set the tone and eventually swung the momentum.
Larry then hit back-to-back triples as the two teams traded buckets on five straight possessions. Consecutive dunks from Ajogbor and Fleming but the Hawks in front 50-46 with 8:25 to play, but Larry continued to take over. He hit 1,000 career points with a driving layup before finding Kaluma for a corner triple to put Texas back in front at 51-50.
It didn’t stop there for Larry, who found a cutting Shedrick for a dunk before diving on a loose ball down at the other end to secure possession for Texas, which had built a 55-52 lead with 3:13 left. The Longhorns used the momentum to put together an 8-0 run, which essentially sealed the win in a game where scoring felt hard to come by.
Johnson then closed the game out with six points in the final 4:11 of action, including a pullup jumper at the foul line to put Texas up 63-55 with 1:19 left.
Texas will host Delaware State on Nov. 29.
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Texas
UT System’s free tuition plan sparks resistance from some Texas lawmakers
WASHINGTON — State Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, said Friday he plans to meet with top University of Texas System officials after they announced a plan to provide free tuition and waived fees to students whose families make $100,000 or less.
While many elected officials have praised the initiative, Harrison criticized it as an “abuse of power” that makes Texas higher education “more socialist than California.”
Harrison said Friday he’s unswayed by statements from the system and supporters who say the move will be funded from university endowments, not taxpayers.
Harrison compared such statements to someone saying they’re removing water from the shallow side of a pool, not the deep end. It’s all the same water.
“Money is fungible, so that doesn’t satisfy me in the slightest,” Harrison said.
The new initiative is an expansion of the Promise Plus Program, a needs-based financial aid initiative, and comes amid widespread concerns about the impact of inflation and college costs on families. Gov. Greg Abbott recently prohibited Texas colleges and universities from raising tuition for the next two years.
UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken hailed the expansion as a “game changer” that will make “enormous, real difference” to improve college access for all Texans.
Not everyone is a fan.
Harrison and like-minded House colleagues have compared it to President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan that drew intense blowback from conservatives and was largely struck down by the courts. They also said such a consequential change in policy should come from the elected lawmakers serving in the Legislature.
“There must be consequences,” Harrison said on X. “UT’s budget must be cut, and bureaucrats should be fired.”
He led 10 Republican lawmakers, most of them incoming freshmen, in a letter to the regents demanding answers to a litany of questions, including the price tag of the expansion and the source of that money.
“What specific statutory authority did the regents rely on to make a decision this consequential, which will have direct financial consequences for our constituents, many of whom are already struggling to put gas in their tanks and food on their tables?” the lawmakers wrote.
UT System spokesman Paul Corliss has said the program is not funded through taxes or any kind of public subsidy.
“Rather it is funded through existing UT System endowments,” Corliss said.
Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, hammered that point in a response to Harrison on social media.
“There are no tax dollars involved,” Howard said on X. “Higher Ed institutions are already helping families afford college. This expands philanthropic endowments and helps meet affordability goals of [Abbott and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board].”
Harrison and his colleagues will have to contend with many members of the public embracing a plan that already is encouraging young people to adjust their higher education aspirations.
Frank Whitefeather, a high school senior, stayed up until 2:30 a.m. Friday working on his college application essay.
He was freshly motivated after the announcement that students whose families make less than $100,000 annually will get free tuition and waived fees at the University of Texas at Austin and other schools in the UT System.
“I wouldn’t be in debt,” said Whitefeather, 17. “I wouldn’t have to have student loans.”
Whitefeather, who attends Dallas ISD’s Sunset High School, thinks the UT news also could change many of his peers’ lives. It’s already changing his plans. Whitefeather hopes to study engineering and be his own boss one day. Texas A&M and UT Austin were his top two choices, but the free tuition announcement has pushed UT ahead.
Harrison said the university system is being contradictory by simultaneously saying it has enough money to offer tuition-free education, but also that a tuition freeze could leave it cash strapped and require more funding from the Legislature.
“I guarantee you they’re going to be requesting more tax money from the Legislature next session,” he said.
Texas
What to know about the newly named leader of Texas DPS
The Public Safety Commission has unanimously approved Freeman Martin to lead the Texas Department of Public Safety, tapping a top lieutenant of outgoing Director Steve McCraw.
Here’s what to know about the incoming head of the state law enforcement agency:
Martin, 56, is senior deputy director of DPS, where he has a “crucial role” in planning, directing, managing and overseeing the agency’s activities and operations, according to his staff biography.
DPS has more than 11,000 employees and a $3.5 billion biennial budget.
His career at DPS began as a Highway Patrol trooper in 1990. He has been a Highway Patrol corporal, narcotics service sergeant and a sergeant, lieutenant, captain and major with the Texas Rangers, the agency’s elite investigative division. He also has been regional commander for the Central Texas Region and deputy director of DPS, a post he was appointed to in 2018.
He has expertise in executive protection, violent crime prevention operations, intelligence, counterterrorism and homeland security, and he led the DPS response to the Sutherland Springs mass shooting, Hurricane Harvey and Operation Lone Star.
Martin established a Texas Anti-Gang Center in San Antonio, helped develop the Texas Rangers Major Crime Scene Response Team and runs a number of initiatives to support local law enforcement agencies.
He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.
The Public Safety Commission, which oversees DPS, conducted a national search after McCraw announced his retirement in August.
The five-member commission is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. At a Sept. 6 meeting, the commission set minimum requirements for the position, opened a four-week window for resumes and letters of interest through Oct. 4, and created a subcommittee to vet applicants and make recommendations.
The subcommittee selected three finalists for in-person and virtual interviews conducted Oct. 16 and Oct. 24. At its meeting Wednesday, commissioners deliberated privately for nearly 2½ hours before returning to announce Martin as its undisputed choice.
His appointment is effective Dec. 1. He will be sworn in the following day at a ceremony at DPS headquarters.
McCraw, whose retirement takes effect next month, led the department for the past 15 years, calling it “the greatest honor of my life.”
He rose from Highway Patrol trooper in 1977 to narcotics agent in 1983, when he left DPS to join the FBI. McCraw left the federal agency in 2004 to become Texas’ homeland security director until he was named to lead DPS in 2009.
McCraw was heavily scrutinized over the police response to the May 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, including the inaction of dozens of DPS troopers who responded. Officers from multiple agencies waited more than an hour to enter a classroom to confront and kill the gunman who killed 19 students and two teachers.
McCraw was not in Uvalde at the time. He later called the police response an “abject failure” but resisted calls to step down. McCraw blamed the delayed police response on the local school police chief.
In his retirement note to staff, McCraw didn’t say what’s next for him. Instead, he expressed his “deep pride and heartfelt gratitude” to his employees.
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