Latest news with #St.Edward's
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas A&M System bans drag shows at its 11 institutions, citing Trump, Abbott directives
Texas A&M System regents on Friday passed a resolution banning drag shows at the 11 universities they oversee, claiming that the performances would violate President Donald Trump's and Gov. Greg Abbott's orders for public agencies to recognize only two sexes. The resolution states that drag shows will not be permitted on campuses because they do not align with system's values and "may be considered promotion of gender ideology." More: 'We are not going away': Queer joy persists at UT, St. Edward's after Texas DEI ban "The Board finds that it is inconsistent with the System's mission and core values of its Universities, including the value of respect for others, to allow Special Event Venues of the Universities to be used for drag shows that involve biological males dressing in women's clothing," the resolution states. The regents' decision comes at a time when LGBTQ students are still reeling from a 2023 anti-diversity, equity and inclusion law that banned DEI and LGBTQ offices, programs and supports at institutions of higher education, and amid a state legislative session in which queer Texans are bracing for up to 148 LGBTQ-related bills that have been filed, according to the latest count by Equality Texas, an LGBTQ rights advocacy group. Texas lawmakers passed a law banning drag shows in 2023, but a federal judge ruled it was unconstitutional because of its restriction on speech. In the resolution approved during a special meeting Friday, Texas A&M System regents accuse drag performances — or artistic presentations of exaggerated gender expression that originated in the queer community — of creating a "hostile environment for women." LGBTQ and civil rights advocates have denied such accusation and say it echoes GOP arguments being used to implement anti-transgender legislation nationwide. More: 'In crisis mode': Rights groups petition UN to intervene for LGBTQ+ people in Texas The Texas A&M System regents instructed the flagship university to cancel Draggieland, an annual drag show organized by the student Queer Empowerment Council, the student newspaper the Battalion reported. In the resolution, regents said they have the power to limit the use of university venues to events that serve the institution's mission. A Texas A&M System spokesperson declined to answer questions about free speech concerns or the reasons behind the special Friday meeting. "Drag is protected expression. Full stop," JT Morris, a Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression attorney, said in a news release. "Whether drag or Bible study, public universities cannot ban or punish students' protected expression. Banning speech because it might offend someone else is viewpoint discrimination, the third rail of the First Amendment." More: Texas 'most extreme' in anti-LGBTQ bills, advocates say. How supporters plan to fight back In 2023, West Texas A&M President Walter Wendler canceled a student drag charity show because he found it offensive to women, resulting in a vote of no confidence from faculty members and a free speech lawsuit by the student group putting on the performance. The students are being represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a national university campus free speech advocacy group. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M System OKs resolution to ban drag shows at its 11 campuses
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
St. Edward's achieves research university designation
AUSTIN (KXAN) — St. Edward's University announced Thursday that it has achieved a historic milestone by attaining a designation as a research university. The American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognized St. Edward's under the Research Colleges and Universities classification for investing an average of at least $2.5 million per year in research and development opportunities, according to a release from the university. The Carnegie Foundation and ACE recently updated the methodology for Research Activity Designations and announced the changes on Thursday along with a list of institutions that received a designation. The Research Colleges and Universities designation is new this year. The other categories are Research 1: Very High Spending and Doctorate Production and Research 2: High Spending and Doctorate Production. St. Edward's University says over $10M from donors going to School of Health Sciences According to Carnegie, the Research Colleges and Universities designation identifies research happening at colleges and universities that historically have not been recognized for their research activity, including institutions that do not offer many or any doctoral degrees. The new designation includes any non-R1 or R2 institution that spends more than $2.5 million on research annually, accounting for 218 institutions. 'This landmark achievement is a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of our faculty, their scholarship, creative endeavors and research. We have advanced our research mission and our commitment to creating opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in innovative research programs,' said St. Edward's University President Montserrat Fuentes. 'Earning research university status is a significant milestone for our university, reflecting the steadfast support of our faculty, staff and community partners who are devoted to opening doors for students to graduate education and pathways to success in an ever-evolving workforce.' The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education had previously recognized St. Edward's in the Master's Colleges and Universities: Larger Programs category under the Basic Classification Methodology in 2021. St. Edward's will keep its research university status until the next evaluation in 2028. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
St. Edward's University says over $10M from donors going to School of Health Sciences
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Donors gave more than $10.3 million in one year to St. Edward's University in Austin, and the institution said most of that money will support the School of Health Sciences and enhance undergraduate scholarships and scientific research programs. St. Edward's nursing program aims to help with healthcare worker shortage The university said in a press release that the monetary support reflects 'increasing momentum to realize the goals of the St. Edward's University Strategic Plan 2027' and 'strengthens our commitment to the success of our students and to creating a more just world.' St. Edward's shared details about some of the donations and what the money will go toward. According to the release, more than $2 million was from longtime donor and former university trustee Patricia 'Pat' Munday. Of that, $1.5 million will support the Bill and Patricia Munday Endowed Scholarship, which provides tuition assistance for up to 140 students each year, per the release. Part of the total donation will also go toward the Bill Munday Outstanding Business Student Endowed Scholarship. St. Ed's said Munday and her late husband, Bill, are the most generous individual donors to St. Edward's, giving more than $50 million in total gifts. The Ladies of Charity of Austin awarded the university $1 million in the fall of 2024 to support the renovation of the new School of Health Sciences and its state-of-the-art instructional labs. The university said that investment will 'help St. Edward's address a critical industry need while equipping the next generation of leaders with the skills, expertise and ethical foundation necessary to shape the future of healthcare.' The university named The Ladies of Charity of Austin Women, Children and Family Suite in the charity's honor. Kathleen Wilburn, who the university referred to as an esteemed faculty member and continuing benefactor, pledged $1 million to support scholarships, five mission and student-focused initiatives, and an endowed professorship within The Bill Munday School of Business. YMCA and St. Edward's University apply for $20 million climate resilience grant The Welch Foundation, based in Houston, gave the university a $135,000 grant to fund faculty chemical research initiatives and provide hands-on laboratory experiences for students pursuing careers in chemistry. The university added that the Welch Foundation has given over $1.3 million to St. Edward's University since 1990. A gift of more than $112,000 from Roger Thornton, who the university called a friend of the Wild Basin Creative Research Center at St. Edward's, will enhance staffing and environmental educational programs for young learners at Wild Basin, according to the release. 'We are deeply grateful for the continued generosity of our donors and their extraordinary investments in our students and faculty. This funding plays a pivotal role in advancing our commitment to academic excellence and research innovation while further strengthening our university's role as a collaborative partner in the Austin community. With these transformative contributions, we are able to enhance our academic programs, further our commitment to sustainability and enrich the lives of our students.' St. Edward's University President Montserrat Fuentes Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
