The University of Texas at Austin community is reeling from President Jay Hartzell's recent announcement that he'll be trading his Longhorn status for SMU's Mustangs come this June. Hartzell's exit shook the campus, stirring reactions from faculty to athletics, with Texas women's basketball head coach Vic Schaefer expressing his shock and admiration in no uncertain terms.
"God almighty," Schaefer said after being queried on his thoughts about the departure. According to KVUE, he went on to sing Hartzell's praises, "I'm certainly happy for him because I think he's a great man. They hit a home run at SMU." Schaefer's respect for Hartzell was evident as he recalled instances of Hartzell supporting the athletic program, attending games, and aiding in recruitment. Hartzell, who served UT Austin since 2001 and stepped into the role of president in 2020, faced significant pressure during the past year, especially following the highly publicized pro-Palestine protests on campus.
Yet, this sudden departure seems to be more than just an individual decision; it underscores broader challenges heaved upon the backs of leaders at public institutions like UT. According to CBS Austin, Pauline Strong, a UT Austin professor and president of the UT Austin chapter of the American Association of University Professors, conveyed the widespread astonishment at the announcement, saying, "The announcement was very surprising, I hadn't anticipated this," and noting that a private university offers Hartzell "more nimble" opportunities. Public universities in Texas are grappling with declining enrollment rates, skyrocketing college costs, and political interference from state legislatures, particularly on controversial issues surrounding curriculum and diversity initiatives.
Texas educators and experts are eyeing these trends with concern. "When you're in a public institution, you sort of live and die by what your state legislature wants to do," Rice University professor Bob Stein explained. The move to SMU, therefore, may provide Hartzell with a coveted hiatus from these pressures. Reflecting on the need for strong leadership to defend academic freedom in Texas, Strong emphasized, "What we need is really strong leadership to educate legislators about why academic freedom is so important for quality education." As UT begins its search for Hartzell's replacement, the community watches, wait and wonders who will navigate these tumultuous waters next.
Hartzell’s tenure, though marked with contention, was not without its champions. Among them, groups such as Longhorn Students for Israel who lament his exit, having felt "heard and seen" during his presidency. But as for Hartzell’s new chapter at SMU, expectations are high, and some like Schaefer can only say, "Dang it," as their leader sets sights on pastures anew.
