Rumblings in Austin over UT
Updated 2:48 pm, Saturday, March 30, 2013
Regarding "Perry-UT power struggle escalates" (Page A1, Sunday), Patricia Kilday Hart's article is excellent. Hart captured the essence of the battle in a well-written, balanced article.
As an alum with three degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, I have followed this struggle closely for years. I am amazed by the number of UT grads who were unaware of the seriousness of the attacks on excellence at UT - until Hart's piece ran.
I have long been dumbfounded by the attempt to turn UT-Austin into a diploma mill.
Intellectual capital creates wealth and a first-rate education creates intellectual capital. Only a university with a commitment to allowing professors to pursue their own research interests - whether in the sciences, liberal arts or in business - can attract the top minds in their field.
These top professors in turn attract the best and the brightest students. Presidents Peter T. Flawn, William H. Cunningham, Larry R. Faulkner and now Bill Powers have worked tirelessly to keep this cycle of excellence going. Texas benefits greatly from their efforts.
I am grateful to Ms. Hart and the Houston Chronicle for explaining the issues and what is at stake.
Stuart W. Stedman, Houston
This was a very good summary of the matters at UT concerning the Board of Regents and President Bill Powers. Kilday Hart covered all the bases for those trying to understand it.
Louise Pincoffs, Austin
There is no question that Powers is an effective advocate for UT Austin, at least as witnessed by the surprising amount of legislative support he has.
One does suspect that the governor is upset about this fact and wants to remove such opposing voices from official positions. Not unusual in Texas politics, but unfortunate when the future of the best public university in our state and one of the best in the nation is involved.
Mel Hazlewood, posted on HoustonChronicle.com
I appreciate the Chronicle and its reporters for continuing to report on this unprecedented attack on the University of Texas and its leaders. It could cripple the university and the state for years to come.
It is indeed a sad day when someone can be persecuted for doing the job he was hired to do.
Jo Anne Christian, Austin
And so it continues. The regents and educators at UT have been at each other's throats as long as I can remember. Apparently, to be regent of a top-tier university does not require any knowledge or understanding of the educative process. That makes me eligible.
Susan Canavespe, posted on HoustonChronicle.com