Messages &
Speeches

One of the most critical positions in the university is clearly the Executive Vice President and Provost. We have been very fortunate to have our Vice President for Research, Dan Jaffe, serving as our Interim Provost, but I have heard several questions regarding our search for the person who will fill the position. I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with an update.

Since I became president in September, one of my primary goals has been putting together a leadership team that can help our entire campus strive for greater levels of excellence. We want to be the very best in all we do, and our athletics program is no different.

Anti-Asian violence is distressing and unacceptable. Here at UT, we believe that no one should live in fear of racial violence, and we have no tolerance for bigotry, intimidation or bias.

It was exactly one year ago this week that COVID-19 forced The University of Texas to pivot into new teaching and research modalities. Obviously, we’re not through with the pandemic yet. Nevertheless, it’s time for us to begin planning our transition to what we hope will be a near normal fall.

Everything we do at UT Austin comes back to three things: research, teaching and changing the world. Our work around “The Eyes of Texas” is no different. In particular, the work of the history committee focused on research. Next, we will focus on teaching and changing the world. In part, that means fostering an inclusive campus where all Longhorns belong and are welcome.

I understand that for many of us this has been an upsetting week. In the run up to the Eyes of Texas History Committee’s report (to be released Tuesday), articles in the media have pushed a narrative that university donors are dismissive of our students’ concerns and have exerted undue influence over campus decision making.