A Summer That Texas Southern University Would Like to Forget

Texas Southern University, the historically black educational institution in Houston, has had a difficult summer. The university dismissed President Priscilla Slade claiming she had misspent university funds to refurbish her home. This past week Slade was indicted on charges of misusing state money. Three other former university administrators were also indicted for their roles in facilitating Slade’s spending of university funds.

The university also raised tuition by a whopping 21.5 percent. As a result, enrollments are expected to drop by 7 percent this fall. With the drop in enrollments and rising costs for energy and other supplies, the university now projects an operating deficit of $5 million this year and $13.7 million next year.

The university has laid off 178 employees, 16 percent of the total work force at Texas Southern. Included among the job cuts was the elimination of 67 faculty positions.