Texas Institute of Technology and Science (TITS) is a proposal by Elon Musk to open a university in Austin, Texas.[1][2]
Background
Musk's personal views include frequent criticism of the American education system.[3][4] In 2014, he founded Astra Nova School (then Ad Astra School) after pulling his five sons out of school because he disapproved of the curriculum, and how it was presented.[4]
In October 2021, Musk tweeted that he would start a new university named Texas Institute of Technology and Science, which corresponds to the acronym TITS.[5][6][7] Musk added, "it will have epic merch, universally admired".[5] The name, specifically the acronym, was criticized as sexist.[5]
Initial funding
In December 2023, tax records revealed that Musk had donated $100 million to a new foundation, "The Foundation", set up to create a primary and secondary school focused on teaching science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects.[8][9] The foundation included plans to expand the project to the university level accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[8] In 2022, Musk allocated Tesla, Inc. stock valued at $2.2 billion to The Foundation, as reported by Bloomberg.[2]
According to the report, the university intends to be tuition-free, but may consider offering need-based scholarships in the future.[10] The university is expected to receive funding primarily through donations.[11]
