Students

UT Austin Students Challenge New Law Limiting Expressive Activities, Citing Threats to Musical Freedom

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Austin, Texas — A group of students at the University of Texas at Austin, including Santiago Lopez, is taking a stand against a new state law that limits expressive activities on public university campuses. Lopez, who joined the Society of Unconventional Drummers shortly after starting his studies, is passionate about the club’s mission to demonstrate that anyone can create music from everyday objects, such as buckets and bicycles. The Society of Unconventional Drummers, known as SOUnD, ends each semester with a performance celebrating their innovative music-making. However, under Senate Bill 2972, enacted on September 1, … Read more

Justice Department Challenges Illinois’ Tuition Benefits for Undocumented Students, Citing Federal Law Violations

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The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Illinois laws that grant in-state tuition and scholarships to undocumented immigrant students. DOJ officials argue that these laws unjustly discriminate against U.S. citizens, who are not eligible for the same financial benefits, claiming such practices conflict with federal regulations. On September 2, the complaint was lodged in the Southern District of Illinois against the state, including Governor J.B. Pritzker, the state attorney general, and various university trustees. At the core of the complaint is the assertion that Illinois’ policy of extending in-state … Read more

Confusion Reigns Among Students as Trump’s H.R. 1 Reshapes Federal Graduate Loan Landscape

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a significant shift for student loan policy, President Trump signed into law H.R. 1, known as the Big Beautiful Bill, on July 4, effectively dismantling the SAVE Plan established during the Biden administration. This income-driven repayment option was projected to cost taxpayers approximately $475 billion over the next decade. As the new academic year unfolds, a notable disconnect appears among college students regarding their understanding of these changes. According to a survey conducted by U.S. News & World Report, many students express concerns about the federal loan changes introduced by H.R. … Read more

New Mexico State University Reaches $1 Million Settlement in Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Mandates Consent Training for Students

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. — A student’s lawsuit against New Mexico State University, claiming sexual assault in 2022, has reached a resolution with the university agreeing to a $1 million settlement. This decision, made by the NMSU Board of Regents, prevents the case from going to trial. The lawsuit contended that the university failed to take necessary steps to avert the assault, allowing the accused student to continue attending classes while delaying an investigation into the allegations. The plaintiff argued that the university’s inaction not only compounded her trauma but also jeopardized the safety of other … Read more