The Latest Breaking News from the University of Texas at Austin

An American Civil Liberties Union of Texas attorney and a UT-Austin professor discussed how free speech has been protected and challenged in campus protests, and what we should all learn from the last few weeks.

As I've noted before, public universities have considerable authority to impose content-neutral rules on demonstrations, for instance prohibiting overnight campouts, restricting sound amplification, and so on. But of course the First Amendment requires such rules to be content-neutral (or, in "limited public forums" on campuses, at least viewpoint-neutral). And even…

University officials banned all students arrested from campus, except for “academic reasons.”

President Jay Hartzell defended the response but faculty criticized the presence of armed state troopers. Fifty-seven people were arrested.

The University of Southern California canceled its main commencement ceremony after dozens of campus arrests. Meanwhile, students at several schools around the country set up solidarity encampments.

Arrests were made at both schools. The LAPD said it would continue patrolling USC's campus into Thursday, while Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the protestors at UT-Austin belong in jail.

Governor Abbott's response to pro-Palestinian protests at UT Austin raises concerns over freedom of speech and antisemitism.

Texas ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in higher education sparks controversy and job cuts across universities.

UT Austin lays off 60 DEI staff due to anti-DEI law SB17, sparking concerns and challenges.

The firings come after state leaders criticized universities for not doing enough to enforce the ban. Students say UT-Austin has already overcorrected.

A nuclear power plant hasn’t been built in Texas in decades because of cost and public fears of a major accident. Now the governor wants to find out if smaller reactors could meet the state’s growing need for on-demand power.