2 ministers, one with ties to Baylor University, accused of forcing kids to perform sex acts in sauna at Houston home
A former Houston minister who is a registered sex offender is accused of grooming young people for decades, with the most recent allegations coming from a child who said they were forced to perform depraved sexual acts in front of adults.
Member of Woodlands Elite Cheer Co. in ICU after shot while traveling near Austin; another grazed by bullet
Members of a Houston area cheer team traveling near Austin became victims when a suspect opened fire on their vehicle, shooting two of them, leaving one seriously injured, according to various reports.
As monkeypox spreads, health experts urge Texas universities to prepare for outbreaks
While the risk of exposure to monkeypox remains low, health experts say college students living in close proximity to each other could spur outbreaks. They encourage schools to share their plans and relevant information about the virus.
Baylor will rename campus area and relocate statue of slave-owning former university president
The Baylor Board of Regents approved a four-step plan to change the name of a campus quadrangle named after a slave-owning former university president and add more elements to provide a better representation of Baylorโs history.
UT-San Antonio and Baylor become the latest Texas universities to achieve Carnegie Tier One research status
The Carnegie R1 status is the highest designation for research universities in the country and is viewed as an important step to recruit high-quality faculty and obtain more prestigious research grants.
Texas universities with federal contracts are caught between Greg Abbott and Joe Biden over COVID-19 vaccine mandates
While some universities in other states that hold federal contracts have mandated vaccines for all employees, many Texas universities, which collectively have billions in federal contracts, are still reviewing the executive order before it goes into effect Dec. 8.
From free tuition to concert tickets, Texas colleges lure students and employees to get vaccinated
Texas public universities forbidden from mandating vaccines are trying to entice students and faculty to get the shot. Those moves come as more people ages 18 to 29 years old in Texas are being hospitalized with the virus.
NCAA declines to punish Baylor over handling of sexual assault allegations but criticizes university for โmoral and ethical failingsโ
The report comes after investigations revealed Baylor leaders failed to report allegations of student sexual misconduct and protected football players accused of such behavior.
University of Texas president defends decision to join SEC as lawmakers criticize timing and impact on other schools
Jay Hartzell said the switch to the Southeastern Conference was the best thing for UT-Austinโs student athletes and the university. Texas senators expressed disdain for the move and questioned how it came about.
After UT-Austin signals a Big 12 exit, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick moves to create a Senate panel focused on college sportsโ future
The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Oklahoma are expected to leave the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference. The move throws the athletics future of several other Texas schools into uncertainty.
Baylor University stirs anger and confusion as it opens the door for first LGBTQ student group
The decision to openly consider recognizing an LGBTQ group while simultaneously affirming the university's belief that marriage is between a man and a woman raised concerns among supporters and opponents who say Baylor is trying to "have its cake and eat it, too."
Houston fans express their excitement for Texas college basketball teams in Elite 8 of the NCAA tournament
A March Madness sticker for the NCAA college basketball tournament is placed on a window in downtown Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 17, 2021. As many students walked to class, they told KPRC 2 that they were pumped to watch their menโs basketball team in the Elite 8 take on Oregon State. They say with COVID-19 shutting down last yearโs NCAA tournament, the UH menโs basketball run this year is definitely boosting a lot of spirits. We need something to lift us up, and they made us really proud,โ said UH student Salam Havra. The official University of Houston menโs basketball watch party is being held outside of the George R. Brown Convention Center downtown.
Baylor University report recommends changing buildings and statues honoring slave owners but gives a pass to schoolโs founder
A report released Tuesday examining Baylor Universityโs connections to slavery and racism, is recommending the university relocate some statues and change building names honoring former slaveowners. โJudge Baylor was not a perfect man,โ Mark Rountree, Chair of the Baylor Board of Regents, wrote in a letter to the university community Tuesday. Students on campus and across Texas demanded university leaders address Confederate symbols and make changes to improve diversity and inclusion. AdThe board of regents accepted the commission report at its meeting last month, and charged university leaders with developing an action plan. The group suggests the university commission a new mace that can be used at future Baylor graduation ceremonies.
Several Texas college campuses to keep mask mandates after governorโs order
Graduates at a Texas A&M University's commencement ceremony at Reed Arena in College Station in December. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribuneNeed to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? Greg Abbott announced that he will lift the statewide mask mandate and other COVID-19 restrictions starting Wednesday. Austin Community College, Baylor University, Paris Junior College, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, Southwestern University, the Texas A&M University System, Trinity University, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas at El Paso are keeping their current COVID-19 guidelines โ which include mask mandates โ in place. Disclosure: Baylor University, Lamar University, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at El Paso and University of Houston have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
UT-Austin wonโt require SAT or ACT scores for 2022 applications due testing limitations because of COVID-19
(TEXAS TRIBUNE) โ Need to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? The University of Texas at Austin is suspending the SAT and ACT test score requirement for fall 2022 applicants, citing continued limited access to testing opportunities for students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. AdLast year, multiple Texas universities temporarily scrapped the testing requirement for the 2021 applicants, including Texas A&M University, Baylor University, Texas Tech University, Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University. In Austin, St. Edward's University had been planning to permanently waive ACT and SAT requirements for months, Dean of Admissions Drew Nichols told The Texas Tribune last spring. AdDisclosure: Baylor University, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, St. Edwardโs University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
Texas universities promised action after summerโs racial reckoning. But they're still reluctant to shed Confederate relics.
Shifa Rahman, left, and a fellow protestor, hold signs at the base of the William Marsh Rice statue on campus. Students at Rice University demanded removal of the monument of the school founder, William "Willy" Rice, a slave owner. The residence was named after Simkins in the 1950s to intimidate Black students after the Supreme Court decision that integrated schools. But Black students, who total 6% of student body, said administrators were still limiting when itโs appropriate to talk about race. Disclosure: Baylor University, Facebook, Rice University, Texas A&M University, University of Texas - Arlington, University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston and University of North Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
Baylor students must test weekly for COVID-19. Those who keep missing tests could lose Wi-Fi access.
Diagnosticians process COVID-19 testing samples at the new state-of-the-art COVID-19 testing lab and research facility in Waco, developed through a new partnership between Baylor University and My Labs Direct. Baylor University began the spring semester on Jan. 19, with weekly testing an important part of comprehensive COVID-19 measures to ensure a safe learning community. If they miss three tests, theyโll also lose Wi-Fi access on campus, with the goal of limiting student activity in campus buildings. Officials would not share how much the multimillion-dollar lab and weekly testing costs. All students, faculty and staff were also required to have a negative COVID-19 test result before returning to campus at Baylor.
โWaco is a wonderlandโ: See photos, videos of snow falling at Baylor University
HOUSTON โ Today was a snow day at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. The athletic departments, students, teachers and staff took to social media to spread the joy of the winter wonderland on the campus. Here are some of the photos and videos from Twitter:
UT-Austin's final football game canceled after 9 players, 13 staff test positive for coronavirus
The University of Texas at Austin's final football game of the regular season against the University of Kansas was cancelled after a COVID-19 outbreak infected nine players and 13 staff members. The University of Texas at Austinโs final football game of the regular season against the University of Kansas has been canceled because of a COVID-19 outbreak infecting nine players and 13 staff members. The UT game against Kansas had already been rescheduled due to an outbreak on the Kansas team last month. Itโs the only game Texas did not play this fall amid the pandemic. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
University of Texas Longhorn band wonโt play โEyes of Texasโ this weekend after some members say theyโre unwilling
The Daily Texan reported that a message sent to band members by leader Scott Hanna said the survey results wouldnโt affect whether the band performs at future games. Band members are โevenly dividedโ overplaying the song, the student newspaper reported, but responses from certain instrument sections would prevent the band from playing this week. The message from Hanna said many band members wanted to have further discussions about the song, which he said he would facilitate. Only then can we reimagine its future.โRemoving โThe Eyes of Texasโ song was not the studentโs only demand this past summer. Disclosure: Baylor University, Texas Christian University and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
Texas colleges offer free coronavirus tests. Why aren't more students getting tested?
The University of Texas at Austin said it could test up to 5,000 asymptomatic students, faculty and staff weekly. Texas A&M University trumpeted a similar goal of testing more than 5,000 students each week โ about 7% of the student body. UT-Austin, which has more than 50,000 students, has only required students to be tested before attending football games. That included the 1,198 students tested for the first home football game on Sept. 12. Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at El Paso, the University of North Texas and Baylor University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
What the feces? Houston launches new wastewater monitoring program to help slow spread of COVID-19
HOUSTON โ Mayor Sylvester Turner presented a new initiative Thursday that could serve as a faster method of containing COVID-19. Since May, the Houston Health Department has monitored the wastewater at 38 treatment plants for the presence of the virus. The wastewater monitoring project is a collaboration between the Houston Health Department, Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine. The sewage wastewater is collected at the treatment plan before its process, according to Dr. Lauren Hopkins, of the Houston Health Department. โThis will give us that early warning that we may have otherwise missed,โ said Dr. David Persse of the Houston Health Department.
University of Houston, Baylor postpone football season-opener
HOUSTON โ The anticipated season-opening football game between the University of Houston and Baylor University will no longer be happening, according to the universities. Officials with Baylor and the University of Houston have decided to postpone the game and will make a final determination on if it will be canceled at a later date. โBaylor contacted us Friday afternoon and determined that Saturdayโs game could not be played due to COVID-related issues,โ UH Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman said. โThe highly sought-after match-up between Baylor and Houston has been postponed and will not be played on Sept. 19,โ according to the university website. โThis decision comes as a result of Baylor not meeting the Big 12 Conference COVID-19 game cancellation thresholds.
โItโs like walking into a ghost townโ: Under tight pandemic restrictions, college football returns to Austin
โItโs like walking into a ghost town,โ Julie Amberg said from behind a burnt orange mask. Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK/REUTERSOutdoor gatherings in Austin are still capped at 10 people or less, but Gov. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribunePregame celebrations near the stadium were virtually nonexistent; university officials banned tailgating on school property. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas TribuneAs students filtered in, staff explained the rules for keeping distanced from each other. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribunePeople generally masked up while walking through the stadium, but many fans ditched their masks once they were seated.
UH to open 2020 football season at Baylor next weekend
The University of Houston will open the 2020 season at Baylor University on Sept. 19 at McLane Stadium, both programs announced Saturday. This televised matchup marks the first meeting between the two football programs since 1995. Baylor leads the all-time series, 14-13-1, with the first meeting between the two schools coming in 1950, according to the press release. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.โWe are excited to have the opportunity to open the 2020 season at Baylor,โ UH Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman said. We are excited to give our student-athletes a chance to compete on a national stage to begin a new season.โ
UH vs. Memphis football game postponed
HOUSTON โ The University of Houston football game against the Memphis Tigers on Sept. 18 has been postponed due to COVID-19, according to a release from UH. UH says the decision was made mutually, as Memphis deals with COVID-19 issues. Meanwhile, Bruce Feldman of the Athletic reports UH and Baylor University are discussing a game to fill that week. Baylor was scheduled to play Louisiana Tech but now has an open week.
Texas college football returns with thousands of fans in the stadiums as campus cases grow
This weekend marks the start of an unusual season for major college football programs in Texas. UT-Austin game attendees must wear masks in the stadium and there will be signage and floor markings to encourage social distance. โWe anticipated a rise in cases as we returned to campus and we took this into account as we made our plans,โ Texas Tech spokesperson Matthew Dewey said in an email. Officials blamed off-campus parties hosted by Texas Tech students. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin and University of Texas at El Paso have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
Analysis: College football is back โ as both a spectacular and a science experiment
Texasโ college football players wonโt be the only people with butterflies in their stomachs this weekend. SMU played last Saturday against Texas State University, but the TCU-SMU game would have been the first involving a Big 12 school. This weekend, two Texas schools in that conference will take the field: the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Tech University. A third was supposed to play, but Baylor University postponed its weekend game after several Louisiana Tech players tested positive. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
UT-Austin says it will only require student ticket holders to test negative for COVID-19 before Saturdays football game
A University of Texas football game at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin on Sept. 7, 2019. Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Daily TexanNeed to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? There is no testing requirement for fans who aren't UT-Austin students, nor is there a requirement for visitors from El Paso. Students, however, were not required to test negative before returning to campus or attending in-person classes. Greg Abbott, however, allowed Texas sports to resume with limited fans in the stands. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, University of Texas at Austin and University of Texas at El Paso have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
Baylor-Louisiana Tech season opener postponed due to rising COVID-19 cases
HOUSTON The Baylor University football season opener against Louisiana Tech was postponed due to a rising number of coronavirus cases among student-athletes, Baylor officials announced in a statement Tuesday night. The game was originally going to be played on Sept. 12 but now the two schools have agreed to monitor dates throughout the season to potentially make up the game, officials wrote in the statement. We are incredibly disappointed to announce the postponement of our upcoming football game against Louisiana Tech, said Baylor Director of Athletics Mack B. Rhoades. To the Baylor and Louisiana Tech student-athletes and communities, we share in your disappointment and look ahead to resuming play.As of Tuesday night, there were 334 active cases of coronavirus among the Baylor Unversity community, according to the schools COVID-19 dashboard. We are obviously very disappointed that we will not be able to open the season this weekend at Baylor, said Louisiana Tech Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland.
Texas universities blame off-campus parties for rising COVID-19 cases, but few are disciplining students
Students sit outside the Peter T. Flawn Academic Center at the University of Texas at Austin. As Texas college towns see rising COVID-19 cases with the return of hundreds of thousands of students to campus, a small but increasing number of universities are disciplining students who attend or host house parties or Greek rush events. But while reports of those crackdowns are beginning to increase, most Texas universities arent penalizing individual students for partying that takes place off-site. Many of the Greek events have since been halted, he said, but the off-campus parties continue. Penalize organizations, not peoplePerhaps the most power that Texas universities can wield over off-campus student behavior comes through its recognized organizations, from sororities to student government and beyond.
Student athletes get COVID-19 tests three times a week, while experts say testing for other university students is lagging
Public health experts say Texas universities should increase testing of all students to prevent community spread of the coronavirus as classes resume. Texas A&M University reported 327 new positive tests the week ending Aug. 29, down slightly from the 371 it reported a week prior. UT-Austin, Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University encourage participation in asymptomatic testing but stop short of requiring it. Texas Christian University does not offer routine testing for students without symptoms, according to The Dallas Morning News. Disclosure: Baylor University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin and University of North Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
Coronavirus cases postpone TCU-SMU game, the season's first college football matchup involving a Texas Big 12 team
The game against Southern Methodist University, scheduled for Sept. 11, was canceled Friday after some TCU football athletes and support staff tested positive for the virus, said Jeremiah Donati, TCUs director of intercollegiate athletics, in a statement. The TCU-SMU game would have been the first Big 12 game of the season. Texas Tech University, Baylor University and the University of Texas at Austin all have games scheduled for Sept. 12. A handful of Texas teams that play outside the Power Five conferences SMU, Texas State University, Houston Baptist University, the University of North Texas, Stephen F. Austin University and the University of Texas at El Paso have games scheduled for Saturday. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at El Paso and University of North Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
Baylor orders students in dorm to reside in place after 21 COVID-19 cases on 2 floors
Baylor University ordered students living on certain floors of one dorm, Martin Hall, not to leave their floors for four days while the university conducts contact tracing and rapid COVID-19 testing. Martin Hall residents on the 1st and 2nd floors have been instructed to stay only on their floors and not visit the upper floors for any reason. They also have been instructed to contact Baylor Health Services on Monday morning to schedule a COVID-19 test. If you are a student and feel ill, especially if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please contact Baylor Health Services at 254-710-1010 for testing. The recent developments in Martin Hall do not impact our current plans for on-campus academic instruction and other activities.
Big 12 OKs football season, paving way for UT-Austin, Texas Tech, TCU and Baylor to play
The start of the Big 12 Conferences college football season will move forward as scheduled, conference officials said Wednesday, meaning four major Texas football programs are one step closer to playing this fall. Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Austin are Big 12 members. #WeWantToPlay Charlie Brewer (@CBrewer16) August 10, 2020We want to play football in the fall, Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp told The Texas Tribune on Monday. Greg Abbott in a Tuesday interview said while he supported what the student athletes wanted to do. Disclosure: Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
What losing football to COVID-19 would mean for Texas college towns: "Its like losing Christmas"
Texas five major conference football teams Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Austin are massive economic drivers for their cities of Waco, Fort Worth, College Station, Lubbock and Austin, respectively, generating a flood of seasonal business for hotels, restaurants and bars in a typical year. Across Texas, university leaders have supported allowing football to move forward if conference division leaders allow it. We want to play football in the fall, said Texas A&M System John Sharp in a statement to The Texas Tribune on Monday. For college towns, its like losing Christmas, Berg said. Disclosure: Baylor University, Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
Here are the COVID-19 protocols in place for 16 Texas universities and colleges ahead of the fall semester
Baylor UniversityBaylor is still planning to begin its fall semester on August 24th with strict guidelines in place, and is planning to end the fall semester the first week of December, which is a couple of weeks earlier than usual. Houston Community CollegeHouston Community Colleges fall semester will begin August 24th, but all classes will meet remotely for the first six weeks. Southern Methodist UniversitySMU has outlined its plan for maintaining a healthy environment with its Mustang Strong: Safe Return to Campus guide. Texas Southern UniversityAccording to Texas Southerns COVID-19 guide, classes will begin on August 19th online and continue that way through at least September 14th. Texas State UniversityLike the University of Texas, Texas State is also asking its students to quarantine for 14 days before returning to campus.
Baylor students must test negative for coronavirus before returning to campus this fall, officials say
Shelby Knowles for The Texas TribuneBaylor University students must test negative for the coronavirus before they can return to campus for the start of the fall semester, school officials said Tuesday. According to an email announcing the policy, students will get results in 48 hours. Requiring negative results before campus entry is a relatively unique policy across Texas universities preparing for a fall return. Testing of all students, faculty and staff for COVID-19 before allowing campus entry (entry testing) has not been systematically studied, the CDC website reads. That will cost university officials about $2.25 million a month.
Baylor Commit Heffernan Remains A Georgetown Centerpiece
Georgetown offensive lineman Connor Heffernan has experienced a spike in his football career over the past few months. Heffernan has found a good amount of success in the recruiting process, as evident by his 17 college football offers. He ultimately decided on Baylor over fellow Power Five programs Mississippi State and Syracuse and 14 other opportunities. "Prior to this year, I wasn't ranked very high and I never let that get to me," said Heffernan. "Georgetown is one of the few places that got to have a full strength and conditioning camp this summer," said Heffernan.
Texas universities are shelving SAT and ACT requirements as coronavirus scrambles admissions process
In response, many Texas universities are becoming test-optional through 2021, waiving the traditional requirement for test scores to gain admission. Baylor University, Texas Tech University, Texas Christian University, Southern Methodist University and St. Edward's University have all temporarily scrapped their testing requirements through 2021. And some universities that were doubting the value of test scores even before the pandemic see an opportunity to change the admissions process altogether. In the absence of scores, school performance will disproportionately count towards an application, he said. My goal is to get him to college, however that happens.Disclosure: Baylor University, Texas Tech University, Texas Christian University, Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
Chill out in Waco: Score some B&B bliss at these 6 spots
Waco is home to Baylor University, Cameron Park, and, of course, The Silos at Magnolia Market. 2211 Colcord Ave., WacoThis property features two guest rooms in the two-story Georgian house and a separate carriage house suite. 1945 Fort Graham Road, WacoThis peaceful cottage sleeps five and features a fully-equipped kitchen, fireplace, and patio. 2425 Colcord Ave., WacoThis 1913 home feature two fireplaces, tall ceilings, and hardwood floors. 211 Clay Ave., WacoThis modern hotel has all the amenities one could want, from a resort-style pool to a shuttle service to an on-site bistro.