Texas A&M’s Mark Welsh Discusses Changes in Policies

News Summary

In a message to the Texas A&M University community, Mark Welsh addressed the implications of shifting federal and state policies on the university system. He highlighted that while less than one percent of projects have been impacted, ongoing collaboration with federal authorities brings hope. In other news, the Brazos County DA acts to prevent the early release of convict Justin Byrd, and drug-related arrests and leadership changes at Bryan ISD present additional local developments.

Mark Welsh Talks Texas A&M and Federal Policies

In College Station, Texas, the president of Texas A&M University, Mark Welsh, has been addressing some significant changes happening on both state and federal levels. In an online message to the university community, Welsh has shared his insights about how these “shifting state and federal policies” are impacting the Texas A&M system.

According to Welsh, the changes in federal policies have impacted less than one percent of the projects overseen by the university’s sponsored research services so far. However, the administration is working diligently to support the individuals whose projects may be affected by these federal changes. While new federal grants are on the horizon, Welsh mentioned that the pace is a bit slower than anticipated.

It does seem like the elected officials are somewhat receptive to understanding how their decisions affect Texas A&M. This willingness to understand has sparked a glimmer of hope among the staff and researchers at the university.

Legal Issues and Criminal Cases Update

Switching gears, there are also some interesting legal happenings in the area. The Brazos County district attorney’s office recently jumped into action to prevent federal prison from releasing convict Justin Byrd. Byrd is facing a hefty 75-year state sentence for the shooting of a Bryan man. He was convicted back in 2020 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon connected to a 2017 incident.

In a unique twist, this situation marks the first time federal prosecutors have insisted that Byrd must complete his federal sentence before he serves his state time. When federal authorities refused to transfer Byrd to state prison, the Brazos County judge promptly issued a bench warrant to ensure that Byrd is picked up before he finishes his federal sentence. This means county officials can transport him to state prison after he finishes his time in the federal system.

Drug and Weapons Arrest in College Station

Sonny Holligan, a convicted felon. Holligan was found in possession of illegal firearms and drugs. Law enforcement officials discovered four rifles, a sawed-off shotgun, and approximately $300 worth of illegal substances during the search, which involved multiple law enforcement entities, including the Brazos County sheriff’s office, College Station police, and Texas A&M police.

As of April 8, Holligan remains in the Brazos County Jail, with a bond set at $90,000 as he awaits further legal proceedings.

Changes in Bryan ISD Leadership

Norma Friddle as their new Assistant Superintendent of Business Services/Chief Financial Officer. She’s taking over from Kevin Beesaw, who will be retiring on July 1. Friddle comes with a wealth of experience from her time as CFO at Natalia ISD and has been involved in various school finance roles since 2004.

Meanwhile, Beesaw has been with Bryan ISD since 2012 and has been serving as CFO since April 2018. Superintendent Ginger Carrabine expressed her gratitude for Beesaw’s leadership and conveyed confidence in Friddle’s ability to fill his shoes.

Drag Show Ban Leads to Controversy

Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has voted to ban drag performances on its campuses. This decision led to a lawsuit being filed by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), representing the Queer Empowerment Council, arguing that this ban infringes upon their First Amendment rights.

The Board determined that drag shows could conflict with the university system’s mission and core values, fearing they might create a hostile environment for women. Their resolution prohibits the use of university venues for drag shows, even canceling an upcoming event dubbed “Draggieland.” The Queer Empowerment Council has pushed back, claiming that such performances are an essential form of expression protected under the First Amendment.

As this situation develops, many eyes will be watching to see how it plays out in the courts and what it means for student expression at Texas A&M.

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Bryan Community Updates: Safety, Sports, and Growth
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Additional Resources

• WT&W
• Wikipedia: Texas A&M University
• UPI
• Google Search: Texas A&M drag show ban
• Reason
• Google Scholar: First Amendment lawsuit Texas A&M
• Insight into Diversity
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas A&M DEI policies
• KBTX
• Google News: Gov Abbott Texas A&M work policies

Author: HERE College Station