As the deadline for Texas public universities to eliminate diversity offices draws closer, there are growing concerns from students, faculty and staff at Texas Tech about the university’s efforts to comply.
The proposal recommends spending billions on programs including property tax cuts, teacher pay raises, mental health services and border security. It leaves out pay raises for retired state employees, rent relief and childcare programs.
As Texas lawmakers consider what to do with an unprecedented $32.7 billion state surplus, leaders of the state’s six largest public university systems are pitching that nearly $1 billion be allocated toward higher education. If lawmakers agree, these university chancellors pledge to hold tuition flat for all undergraduate students for the next two academic years.