The University of Texas at Austin Office of the President

2024
Messages &
Speeches

2024
  • Speech

    2024 State of the University Address

    On September 18, 2024, President Jay Hartzell spoke about how we continue to advance excellence and innovation at UT Austin and create the most comprehensive and impactful academic experience for our students.

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  • Message

    Moody College Dean Rachel Davis Mersey Appointed Interim Provost

    I am pleased to announce that Moody College of Communication Dean Rachel Davis Mersey will serve as Interim Provost, effective Sept. 1.

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  • Message

    Provost Leadership Transition

    I am writing to inform you that Sharon Wood will be leaving her position as Executive Vice President and Provost and returning to the faculty of the Cockrell School of Engineering, effective Aug. 31.

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  • Message

    Outlook for the Year Ahead

    Fall is always a special time on the Forty Acres, as our students and the energy they bring return to campus. As the new school year approaches, people frequently ask me as president, “How’s it going?”

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  • Message

    Vice President for Research Leadership Transition

    Dan Jaffe has let me know that he will step down from his role as Vice President for Research in August of 2025. At that point, he will have served for almost 10 years, longer than almost any current VPR in the Association of American Universities.

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  • Message

    Announcing Jim Zook as Vice President for Marketing and Communications

    It is my pleasure to announce that we have hired Jim Zook as our new Vice President for Marketing and Communications. Jim, who will join us Sept. 16, is a talented and experienced communications and marketing professional with more than 30 years of experience spanning higher education, professional services, the federal government and the news media.

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  • Message

    Increasing Access and Affordability

    Today, I want to highlight three initiatives that are important tools to provide a vibrant, inspirational campus experience by increasing access and affordability.

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  • Message

    Return to On-Site Work

    Beginning this fall semester, the University will require almost all staff members to work on site full time. This will be a significant change for some members of our community, so it is important to take a step back and explain why requiring in-person work best supports our culture and reinforces the teaching and research mission of our University.

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  • Message

    A Message About Commencement

    The week of graduation is one of my favorite times of the year. And it is perhaps even more special for the Class of 2024.

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  • Message

    Our Shared Responsibility at UT Austin

    Published in the Houston Chronicle May 2, 2024

    There is a long, proud history of protest at The University of Texas at Austin. I am grateful to work at a university where students, faculty and staff care deeply enough about community, national and world events to rally around those causes.

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  • Message

    Balancing Speech, Safety and Our Mission

    Yesterday was clearly a rough, divisive day for our campus. As the push to disrupt top universities spreads across the country, many campuses such as ours are facing similarly difficult challenges.

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  • Message

    Today’s Events

    This has been a challenging day for many. We have witnessed much activity we normally do not experience on our campus, and there is understandably a lot of emotion surrounding these events.

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  • Message

    Organizational Changes

    Soon after the passage last year of Senate Bill 17 — which prohibits many activities around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) — the University embarked on a multiphase process to review campus portfolios and end or redesign the policies, programs, trainings, and roles affected by the new law.

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  • Message

    Announcing Cole Camplese as Vice President of Technology and Chief Information Officer

    Cole Camplese will join The University of Texas at Austin in this role, reporting to me, effective March 11 as vice president and chief information office (CIO).

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  • Message

    Launching Change Starts With Us

    In our 10-year strategic plan, our answer to “What Starts Here?” is clear and unwavering … Change Starts Here.

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  • Message

    Total Eclipse of the Horns

    On Monday, April 8, The University of Texas at Austin will experience Austin’s first total solar eclipse since 1397 and the last until 2343.

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  • Message

    Leadership Changes for the Vice President for Student Affairs

    I am writing to share with you that Soncia Reagins-Lilly, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, has made the decision to retire from the University.

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  • Message

    Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

    Today, as we remember and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is an opportunity for us to think as a community about where Dr. King said we should go, how we get there, and our actions along the way.

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