https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/sneha-dey/The latest news by Sneha Dey.enTue, 14 May 2024 12:58:08 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/14/texas-senate-higher-education-dei-ban-antisemitism/Tuesday’s Texas Senate hearing comes as lawmakers are expected to propose new laws next year to enforce the DEI ban and prevent antisemitism.By Sneha DeyTue, 14 May 2024 12:58:08 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/14/texas-senate-higher-education-dei-ban-antisemitism/The Senate Committee on Education held a hearing on antisemitism, free speech and compliance with the state's DEI ban on May 14, 2024.Seats fill in the hearing and overflow room at the Texas Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education on free speech on May 14, 2024.Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/10/ut-austin-latinx-graduation-dei-ban/Graduating students raised funds and took the lead organizing smaller ceremonies meant to highlight their identities and cultural heritage.By Sneha DeyFri, 10 May 2024 20:36:17 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/10/ut-austin-latinx-graduation-dei-ban/Graduates take a selfie prior to the University of Texas at Austin Latinx Graduation on May 9, 2024 in Austin. The graduates received orange chords, a nod to the color of monarch butterflies that symbolize the resilience of Latinx immigrants.Latinx graduates take a selfie prior to University of Texas at Austin Latinx Graduation on Thursday, May 9, 2024 in Austin. Graduates took time prior to the ceremony to talk with friends, take photos with each other and fix their hair and regalia.Maria Crane/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/08/university-houston-encampment-arrests/The University of Houston joins other Texas colleges that have cracked down on recent campus protests.By Sneha Dey and Alejandro SerranoWed, 08 May 2024 13:36:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/08/university-houston-encampment-arrests/Protesters gather outside the Harris County Joint Processing Center in Houston following the arrest of two University of Houston students and the dismantling of an on-campus encampment in support of Palestinians on Wednesday.University of Houston students protest outside of the Harris County Joint Processing Center following the arrest of two students at a on campus protest to defend the UH encampment in Houston, Texas, US, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/03/ut-austin-finals-protest-fallout/Many students participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations fear their involvement might affect their plans for after college.By Sneha Dey and Ikram MohamedFri, 03 May 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/03/ut-austin-finals-protest-fallout/Protesters chant at Texas Department of Public Safety troopers during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on April 24 at the University of Texas in Austin.Protestors chant at Texas Department of Public Safety troopers as they begin to push students towards Guadalupe Street from the South Lawn during a demonstration in support of Palestine Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the University of Texas in Austin.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/30/ut-austin-protest-arrests/Authorities and protesters clashed during the latest pro-Palestinian demonstration at the university on Monday.By Stephen Simpson, Sneha Dey and William MelhadoTue, 30 Apr 2024 12:03:11 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/30/ut-austin-protest-arrests/Protesters chant “off our campus” to law enforcement at the University of Texas at Austin on Apr. 29, 2024.Protestors chant “Off our campus” to law enforcement at the University of Texas on Apr. 29, 2024.Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/29/ut-austin-pro-palestinian-demonstrations-free-speech/The arrest of dozens of Pro-Palestinian demonstrators since last week has left First Amendment advocates asking who gets to enjoy speech protections in Texas.By Sneha DeyMon, 29 Apr 2024 20:02:31 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/29/ut-austin-pro-palestinian-demonstrations-free-speech/A crowd of pro-Palestinian demonstrators march Wednesday at The University of Texas at Austin. State police officers march behind them.A crowd of protesting students march down Speedway at The University of Texas at Austin on April 24, 2024. State police officers march behind them.Julius Shieh for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/29/texas-title-ix-lgbtq-paxton-biden/The new Title IX rules expanded the definition of sex-based harassment. Texas is also suing the Biden administration to block the changes.By Sneha DeyMon, 29 Apr 2024 10:19:21 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/29/texas-title-ix-lgbtq-paxton-biden/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the Biden administration Monday after it extended Title IX to LGBTQ students.Activists and members of Austin's LGBTQ community gather on the steps of the capitol to celebrate the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots. These riots signify a key moment in the birth of the modern LGBT movement in America. June 28, 2017.Austin Price for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/24/ut-austin-israel-hamas-war-palestine-student-arrests/Gov. Greg Abbott expressed support for the arrests, which come amid tensions on college campuses across the country over the Israel-Hamas war.By Sneha Dey, Ikram Mohamed, Annie Xia and William MelhadoWed, 24 Apr 2024 13:22:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/24/ut-austin-israel-hamas-war-palestine-student-arrests/Protesters on Wednesday during a student demonstration in support of Palestinians at the University of Texas at Austin campus.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/19/texas-colleges-dei-ban/As administrators scramble to comply with new limits on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, students and faculty worry more tumult is coming.By Sneha DeyFri, 19 Apr 2024 12:36:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/19/texas-colleges-dei-ban/University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell on April 18, 2022.The University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell on April 18, 2022.Lauren Witte/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/09/texas-am-bonfire-tradition/A university system regent has sought input from the victims’ families about restoring the tradition, which was suspended after the 1999 tragedy.By Sneha DeyTue, 09 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/09/texas-am-bonfire-tradition/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/08/fafsa-immigrant-students-congress-texas-democrats/Students whose parents do not have Social Security numbers have been blocked from completing the federal financial aid form.By Sneha DeyMon, 08 Apr 2024 10:10:30 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/08/fafsa-immigrant-students-congress-texas-democrats/Students walk into the University of Texas at El Paso's Union East building in El Paso on March 5, 2024.Students walk into the UTEP Union East building in El Paso on March 5, 2024.Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/04/texas-wind-energy-technician-training/The wind industry promises attractive salaries. But a lack of training programs and waning political support make it difficult to find new recruits.By Sneha DeyThu, 04 Apr 2024 11:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/04/texas-wind-energy-technician-training/Texas State Technical College wind energy technology instructor James Chung, center, helps Steven Vasquez, left, and Shayne Howard, right, during a class in Sweetwater on March 5. Wind energy employers from the area work closely with TSTC in shaping the curricula, so recruiters know students will develop the skills they need.Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology instructor James Chung, center, helps Steven Vasquez, left, and Shayne Howard, right, troubleshoot during a lab on logic gates Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Sweetwater.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/02/university-texas-austin-firings-dei-ban/The firings come after state leaders criticized universities for not doing enough to enforce the ban. Students say UT-Austin has already overcorrected.By Annie Xia and Sneha DeyTue, 02 Apr 2024 15:58:50 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/02/university-texas-austin-firings-dei-ban/Students pass in front of the Jackson School of Geosciences and Gates-Dell Complex at the University of Texas at Austin on Feb. 22, 2024.Students pass in front of the Jackson School of Geosciences and Gates-Dell Complex at the University of Texas at Austin on Feb. 22, 2024.Maria Crane/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/27/israel-hamas-war-texas-universities/The governor singled out pro-Palestine groups and said they should be subject to discipline.By Sneha DeyWed, 27 Mar 2024 12:03:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/27/israel-hamas-war-texas-universities/Gov. Greg Abbott attends a community gathering in support of Israel at the Congregation Agudas Achim in Austin on Oct. 9, 2023.Governor Greg Abbott condemns the recent attacks on Israel during a community gathering in support of Israel at the Congregation Agudas Achim in Austin on Oct. 9, 2023. Abbott also announced efforts for Texas to support Israel, which included funding for increased security at Jewish and Israel-related locations such as synagogues and schools and an Executive Order directing all Texas state agencies to refrain from purchasing goods produced in or exported from the Gaza Strip.Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/13/texas-community-college-free-tuition-hb-8/Community college leaders hope free tuition programs will help change the conversation about the affordability of higher education amid a growing skepticism over the value of a college degree.By Sneha DeyWed, 13 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/13/texas-community-college-free-tuition-hb-8/The Austin Community College Riverside campus on Feb. 27, 2019.ACC Riverside campus on Feb. 27, 2019.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/11/university-texas-austin-test-admissions/The decision comes after the university switched to test-optional admissions during the pandemic.By Sneha DeyMon, 11 Mar 2024 10:45:39 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/11/university-texas-austin-test-admissions/Students on the South Mall at the University of Texas at Austin on Feb. 22, 2024.Students on the South Mall at the University of Texas at Austin on Feb. 22, 2024.Maria Crane/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/21/fafsa-glitch-texas-immigrant-students-workaround/The workaround is meant to help students meet schools’ application deadlines. College counselors say it will lead to more work and confusion.By Sneha DeyWed, 21 Feb 2024 18:17:43 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/21/fafsa-glitch-texas-immigrant-students-workaround/FAFSA documents sit on the table of applicant Diana Almaraz's Fort Worth home on Jan. 28, 2024.FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) documents on the table of pplicant Diana Almaraz's Fort Worth home on Jan. 28, 2024.Azul Sordo for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/07/texas-transfer-community-college-degrees/Black students and students over 24 are less likely to get their bachelor’s degree after transferring, the report found.By Sneha DeyWed, 07 Feb 2024 17:41:49 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/07/texas-transfer-community-college-degrees/The open lab area at San Jacinto College's Central Campus in Pasadena on August 25, 2014.The open lab area at San Jacinto College's Central Campus in Pasadena on August 25, 2014.Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/05/texas-colleges-fafsa-financial-aid/The release of a revamped FAFSA form has blocked some students from filing the application and narrowed the time schools have to make financial aid decisions.By Sneha DeyMon, 05 Feb 2024 18:33:54 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/05/texas-colleges-fafsa-financial-aid/The U.S. Department of Education said Monday it would provide more technical support to help students and colleges deal with problems caused by the new FAFSA form.FAFSA documents lie on the table of Diana Almaraz's Fort Worth home on Jan. 28, 2024.Azul Sordo for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/01/fafsa-financial-aid-immigrant-students/Parents without a Social Security number still cannot complete the new FAFSA online. The U.S. Education Department has not said when it plans to fix the issue.By Sneha DeyThu, 01 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/01/fafsa-financial-aid-immigrant-students/Diana Almaraz with her mother Guillermina in their home in Fort Worth on Jan. 28, 2024. Almaraz, 17, struggled to file her application for financial student aid because of a technical error that prevents parents without a Social Security number to verify their identity.Diana Almaraz with her mother Guillermina in their home in Fort Worth on Jan. 28, 2024.Azul Sordo for The Texas Tribune