Illustration by Wells Dunbar
Texas Lege Roundtable
There are two weeks left in the Texas Legislature’s regular session, meaning there’s a dash to get things done. Despite initial thoughts that the session would a focus on quality-of-life issues related to the pandemic and preventing another deadly winter blackout, it’s taken a sharp right turn to focus on culture war issues instead. We’ll talk to Allie Morris, statehouse reporter for The Dallas Morning News and Jeremy Wallace, political reporter for the Houston Chronicle, about the waning days of the 87th Texas Legislature.
Houston has been an eviction hotspot during the pandemic, with close to 30,000 eviction cases filed since the start of the COVID-19 restrictions. A federal program to pay delinquent rent was supposed to help; in the Houston area, officials are scrambling to hand out more than $150 million. But as Houston Public Media’s Jen Rice tells us, landlords don’t necessarily want that money.
Senators ask for delay in decision on Pa. state university consolidation plan
Updated May 17, 2021;
Posted May 17, 2021
Among those who testified at Monday s Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing on state university consolidation plans were (clockwise from top left) Edinboro University employee Ross Brumagin, Bloomsburg University student Cameron O Neill, State System of Higher Education Chancellor Dan Greenstein and Lock Haven University employee Shawn O Dell.
May 17, 2021
Screenshots from Senator Muth s website
Facebook Share
The leader of Pennsylvania’s state university system made it clear to lawmakers on Monday that a final decision on whether to move forward with a proposed consolidation of six universities into two institutions cannot be delayed.
Guests had to register at two tents before being let into the graduation. Author: Peggy Lee Updated: 11:09 PM EDT May 14, 2021
BLOOMSBURG, Pa. Music filled Bloomsburg University s Redman Stadium as the graduating class of 2021 sat in their chairs.
The graduates are marking a milestone by stepping away from school and into their futures - but the bigger milestone is the graduation itself, as it s a step closer to getting back to normal.
This was the first in-person graduation the school has held since 2019.
“I thought it was going to be online again, yeah, well months ago. Then with it being in-person, it was pretty great,” said graduate Vincent Plesso.
A university spokesperson says the decision was based on repeated violations at sororities and fraternities. Author: Peggy Lee Updated: 8:08 PM EDT May 13, 2021
BLOOMSBURG, Pa. Students on the campus of Bloomsburg University were packing their belongings as the semester is over.
But when students return in the fall, there will be a key element missing from the university, its Greek Life.
Bloomsburg says it is terminating its fraternity and sorority life programs.
Freshman Ashley Wheeler believes this will make potential students choose other universities.
“Because I know a lot of people who just wanted to come here to join sororities. So, them doing that, that s really bad, so,” said Wheeler.
Bloomsburg University slaps immediate ban on fraternities, sororities
Updated 9:32 AM;
After months of keeping the Greek system on probation, Bloomsburg University officials have announced they will terminate all sorority and fraternity programs at the state-run school.
University spokesman Tom McGuire told WNEP that the decision, which took effect Thursday, was triggered by repeated violations by Greek groups.
It came days after sophomore nursing major Leah Burke died following an incident on steps outside a frat house, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Montour County Coroner Scott E. Lynn told the Inquirer Burke’s death “is not considered suspicious nor was it trauma related, and nothing nefarious was involved. We are looking at a potential undiagnosed medical condition which requires further testing.”