https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kate-mcgee/The latest news by Kate McGee.enWed, 13 Dec 2023 14:06:37 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/13/elon-musk-austin-texas-university/The Tesla CEO and Texas resident’s charitable foundation filed an application to create the new school “dedicated to education at the highest levels.”Kate McGeeWed, 13 Dec 2023 14:06:37 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/13/elon-musk-austin-texas-university/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/11/mark-welsh-texas-am-president/Welsh served as interim president of the flagship university for a little over four months after the prior president resigned in the midst of a hiring scandal that drew national attention.Kate McGeeTue, 12 Dec 2023 13:29:42 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/11/mark-welsh-texas-am-president/The Texas A&M University System approved Tuesday Gen. Mark A. Welsh III to become permanent president of the system's flagship university.Texas A&M interim president Ret. Gen. Mark A. Welsh III speaks with student leaders before addressing the senior class during Elephant Walk on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Aggie Park in College Station.Meredith Seaver for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/28/university-of-austin-pano-kanelos/UATX was launched by a group of higher education critics, including Kanelos, who believe universities have abandoned their commitment to open inquiry, free speech and civil discourse.Kate McGeeTue, 28 Nov 2023 09:44:08 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/28/university-of-austin-pano-kanelos/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/17/tamu-mark-welsh-president-vote/The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents named the former dean and four-star general as the sole finalist for president Friday. Many believe Welsh is the right person to move the university forward after a pair of controversies bruised the school’s morale.Kate McGeeFri, 17 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/17/tamu-mark-welsh-president-vote/Texas A&M interim President Mark A. Welsh III during Elephant Walk on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Aggie Park in College Station.Texas A&M interim President and Ret. Gen. Mark A. Welsh III during Elephant Walk on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Aggie Park in College Station.Meredith Seaver for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/14/collin-college-free-speech-lawsuit/The professor alleged the North Texas school violated his First Amendment rights when he advocated for the removal of Confederate statues and criticized the college’s COVID-19 plans. A jury disagreed.Kate McGeeTue, 14 Nov 2023 11:14:51 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/14/collin-college-free-speech-lawsuit/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/13/mark-welsh-texas-a-m/A&M System Chancellor John Sharp will recommend Welsh, a retired Air Force general, as the sole finalist for the job at a Board of Regents meeting later this week. Welsh has held the position in the interim since July.Kate McGeeMon, 13 Nov 2023 14:59:36 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/13/mark-welsh-texas-a-m/Mark A. Welsh III, interim president of Texas A&M University, speaks at a press conference in the Flag Room of the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M campus in College Station, on Aug. 2, 2023.Retired General Mark A. Welsh III, interim president of Texas A&M University, speaks at a press conference in the Flag Room of the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M campus in College Station, on Aug. 2, 2023.Courtesy of Meredith Seaver/The Eaglehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/12/jimbo-fisher-buyout/The buyout amount is the largest in college sports history.Kate McGeeSun, 12 Nov 2023 09:37:16 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/12/jimbo-fisher-buyout/Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher reacts to a call during the second quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kyle Field in College Station on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher reacts to a call during the second quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kyle Field in College Station on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY SportsMaria Lysaker/USA TODAY Sports via REUTERShttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/08/university-austin-uatx-launch-2024/The university was started by a group of higher education critics who believe traditional higher education has abandoned its commitment to open inquiry, free speech and civil discourse.Kate McGeeWed, 08 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/08/university-austin-uatx-launch-2024/The University of Austin has space in the Scarborough Building in downtown Austin. The new university based in Austin announced Wednesday that the state has granted it the authority to award degrees, clearing a major hurdle to opening.The University of Austin in downtown Austin on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/texas-research-universities-carnegie-tier-one/Texas universities trying to earn the coveted Carnegie “R1” title might be closer than before after a major overhaul this week.Kate McGeeThu, 02 Nov 2023 12:44:29 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/texas-research-universities-carnegie-tier-one/Yellow leaves fall on a gusty day at Baylor University in Waco on Dec. 23, 2020. Recently announced changes to the rules for universities to obtain the coveted top research institution designation would carve a clearer path for Texas schools to gain the status. Baylor officials said the university would retain the designation under the new rules.Yellow leaves fall on a gusty day on the campus of Baylor University in Waco, TX on Dec 23, 2020.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/26/texas-proposition-5-research-fund/If approved, the new fund would provide tens of millions of dollars to the University of Houston, Texas Tech, Texas State University and University of North Texas.Kate McGeeThu, 26 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/26/texas-proposition-5-research-fund/The University of Houston is among four state universities that would qualify for additional research funding if Texas voters approve Proposition 5.University of Houston students back on campus in Houston Tuesday, September 5, 2017 after the labor day holiday and Tropical Storm Harvey. Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/25/texas-dei-ban-rice-university/DEI efforts have become a lightning rod for debate in American higher education. At the private Houston university, officials admit impact is hard to measure — but they also see progress from their work.Kate McGeeWed, 25 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/25/texas-dei-ban-rice-university/Alexander X. Byrd, the vice provost for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Rice University, poses for a portrait on campus.Alexander Byrd, the vice provost for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Rice University, poses for a portrait on campus in Houston, Texas, US, on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. In June, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that prohibits diversity, equity and inclusion offices in Texas public colleges and universities starting in 2024.Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/17/trump-train-san-marcos-lawsuit-settlement/Four people on a Biden campaign bus accused police of ignoring requests for help as they drove on Interstate 35 surrounded by Trump supporters. They alleged that officers “joked about the victims and their distress.” A second lawsuit related to the incident remains pending.Kate McGeeWed, 18 Oct 2023 09:28:50 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/17/trump-train-san-marcos-lawsuit-settlement/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/04/west-texas-am-hill-institute/University leaders say the new Hill Institute will promote values like family life, the free and open exercise of faith, and rugged individualism.Kate McGeeWed, 04 Oct 2023 17:24:23 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/04/west-texas-am-hill-institute/The West Texas A&M University on March 23, 2023.Clock tower on campus at West Texas A&M University on March 23, 2023. David Bowser for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/04/texas-am-mark-welsh-kathy-banks-path-forward/Mark Welsh said that Texas A&M will stay the course on many controversial changes made by former President Kathy Banks. Professors welcomed Welsh’s commitment to faculty input moving forward.Kate McGeeWed, 04 Oct 2023 16:15:42 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/04/texas-am-mark-welsh-kathy-banks-path-forward/Retired General Mark A. Welsh III, interim president of Texas A&M University, said Wednesday he would largely continue with many unpopular changes started under his predecessor, but he promised to closely monitor their implementation and gather feedback.Retired General Mark A. Welsh III, interim president of Texas A&M University, speaks at a press conference in the Flag Room of the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M campus in College Station, on Aug. 2, 2023.Meredith Seaver/The Eaglehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/02/john-sharp-tamu-chancellor/The savvy ex-lawmaker has expanded the Texas A&M University System and mollified state leaders. Some faculty, alumni and students say that accommodation has come at a cost.Kate McGeeMon, 02 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/02/john-sharp-tamu-chancellor/Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp in his office on March 27, 2023, in College Station.Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp poses for a portrait in his office on Monday, March 27, 2023 in College Station, TX.Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/29/texas-am-discrimination-lawsuit-dismissed/The judge tossed the suit after the university argued a new state law that will go into effect in January, Senate Bill 17, already prohibits preferential treatment in hiring at public universities.Kate McGeeFri, 29 Sep 2023 16:05:08 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/29/texas-am-discrimination-lawsuit-dismissed/Students walk to class on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station on Nov. 15, 2022.Students walk to class on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station on Nov. 15, 2022.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/28/texas-am-student-president-impeached/The 35-15 vote by the student senate was based on accusations that Hudson Kraus changed a job description so his brother could qualify for a cabinet post.Kate McGeeThu, 28 Sep 2023 13:26:41 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/28/texas-am-student-president-impeached/The Texas A&M Student Senate meets in College Station on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023.The Texas A&M Student Senate meets in College Station on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023.Courtesy Kyle Heise/The Battalionhttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-kelly-hancock-robert-nichols/Kelly Hancock and Robert Nichols broke from the rest of their party, but longtime observers said they weren’t surprised.Kate McGeeSat, 16 Sep 2023 19:26:38 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-kelly-hancock-robert-nichols/Sens. Kelly Hancock, left, and Robert Nichols were the only Republican Texas senators to vote for articles of impeachment against Attorney General Ken Paxton on Saturday.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-senate-votes/Democrats, however, said their GOP colleagues “caved” to outside pressure in voting to acquit and return Ken Paxton to his job as attorney general.Kate McGee and Neelam BohraSat, 16 Sep 2023 16:50:04 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-senate-votes/State senators file into the Texas Senate to cast their votes on the articles of impeachment on Sept. 16, 2023.State senators file into the Texas Senate to cast their votes on the articles of impeachment on Sept. 16, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-vote-deliberations/Other public officials have begun weighing in after the attorney general was returned to his post as the state’s top lawyer.Kate McGee and Robert DownenSat, 16 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-vote-deliberations/Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, hugs defense attorney Tony Buzbee after the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate on September 16, 2023.Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, hugs defense attorney Tony Buzbee after the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate on September 16, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune