statement made by coalition for excellence in higher ed

[armadillo slim]

The Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education today issued the following statement in response to the ultimatum given to UT Austin President Bill Powers that he resign or be fired:

“We are profoundly disturbed by the recent turn of events. A surprise ultimatum delivered by the Chancellor then leaked to a political activist supportive of Regent Wallace L. Hall Jr. and Governor Rick Perry, is deeply troubling and has no place in the governance of one of our state's most important institutions.

“President Powers is a widely respected university president who is highly regarded by students, alumni, business leaders, faculty and numerous elected officials. He has presided over one of the most productive and historic times in the history of The University. Under his tenure the institution has recruited world-class faculty, conducted ground-breaking research, achieved record-breaking philanthropic giving, and developed and invested in smart, innovative and forward-thinking tools to help better educate Texas’ diverse student population—not to mention breaking ground on the Dell Medical School, a long-held vision for the campus.

“His achievements and stature have earned him the chairmanship of the prestigious consortium of public and private research universities, the Association of American Universities, a rare honor afforded only to the most outstanding and respected academicians and administrators in the country.

“As evidenced by his offer of a graceful departure at the end of the legislative session and academic year, President Powers has consistently acted in the best interests of The University while others seem more interested in fostering dissent and destruction.

“UT Austin is a Texas treasure invested in and owned by the people of Texas. It is our sincere hope that the Chancellor will veer from this current course and work collaboratively with President Powers on a productive timeline for departure that puts first the best interests of The University of Texas at Austin.â€

 

[streettopeschel]

all good and well, but it's pretty clear at this point 'education' is not a priority in this decision. ego, power, vindictiveness and pettiness seem to be much more important in determining who the Pres of UT should or shouldn't be.

 

[PropositionJoe]

chip brown is reporting that the UT regents have the necessary votes to oust powers. 

if powers is forced to leave immediately, i think it will be difficult to recruit a suitable replacement.  

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

chip brown is reporting that the UT regents have the necessary votes to oust powers. 

if powers is forced to leave immediately, i think it will be difficult to recruit a suitable replacement.  

That's definitely a problem.  

Maybe Mizzou chancellor, Bowtie, is available?   Why did A&M let that visionary leader go, anyway, Joe?  I've gotta ask.

 

[PropositionJoe]

essentially loftin ran afoul of the same folks that are trying to oust powers by not bending to their will quickly enough. 

he was given the same "retire or be fired" line, and he chose retirement, at which time mizzou offered him their chancellorship. 

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

essentially loftin ran afoul of the same folks that are trying to oust powers by not bending to their will quickly enough. 

he was given the same "retire or be fired" line, and he chose retirement, at which time mizzou offered him their chancellorship. 

Okay, but how did he "run afoul"?

Look at Powers resume' - AAU President, spear-headed Dell Medical Center project, etc.  Appeared to me that most aggies liked Bowtie.  What was the disconnect?

 

[PropositionJoe]

he ran afoul of them by not championing the 7 solutions rhetoric put out by sandefer and the TPPF. he gave them lip service, but drug his heels on actually making them happen. that ticked off the folks in charge (again the same folks who are pushing for powers to leave). 

loftin was well liked...and beloved by the students. he has a good history of being a solid administrator and the academic street cred to make the faculty respect him as well. 

i was sad to see him go. 

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

he ran afoul of them by not championing the 7 solutions rhetoric put out by sandefer and the TPPF. he gave them lip service, but drug his heels on actually making them happen. that ticked off the folks in charge (again the same folks who are pushing for powers to leave). 

loftin was well liked...and beloved by the students. he has a good history of being a solid administrator and the academic street cred to make the faculty respect him as well. 

i was sad to see him go. 

Ah...got it.

Not totally up to speed on Rick Perry's "7 Solutions" proposal for higher education, but most at UT view it as a negative.  Universities have a difficult balancing act. Do we want recognition as a "premier research institution"?  How do we accomplish that mission while maintaining high standards for practical instruction?

I suspect that Perry is out of his depth and should've kept his focus on the TEA and K-12.  Good to know he wasn't selectively screwing UT to benefit A&M.  Looks to me like he screwed both equally....at least as it pertains to university leadership.

 

[Juan]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[PropositionJoe]

i said this on the other thread, but that's a huge win for UT and powers. he gets to leave somewhat on  his own terms, and a replacement can be picked without the meddling of perry and perhaps even sandefer/TPPF. 

 

[bcherry168]

I think Powers won this battle. He was going to retire in 2015 anyway, I believe. His backing was too strong to force it sooner, but his announcement today will help clear the air and let us move forward.