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The three nominees to the University of Texas Board of Regents — Judge Ernest Aliseda, businessman Jeff Hildebrand and current regent Paul Foster — were vetted on all aspects of the controversy. The regents, appointed by Gov. Rick Perry, have been accused of trying to push UT President Bill Powers from his post.
The message was delivered loud and clear. Leave Bill Powers alone or face the consequences.
The reason for this is put squarely at the feet of Governor and Aggie Rick Perry. He has, in the past, appointed regents who come with an agenda. The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges’ guidelines, for instance, make it clear that regents should set a course, but not steer the ship.
Clearly, under Perry appointees, this has not been the case. In a recent Dallas Morning News editorial we get this:
Unfortunately, not all UT System regents get that point. As a result, they are undermining the independence of Texas’ first flagship university. From questioning research to investigating coaches’ personal relationships to driving out staffers, some regents have gone beyond governing to meddling.
and goes on:
The latest example is the board’s 4-3 vote last week to review — yet again — the practices of a privately financed foundation that supported UT’s law school. Reviewing the foundation’s practices the first time made sense, but after UT’s general counsel found Powers had done nothing wrong, some dissatisfied regents wanted a second opinion. They got it. Texas’ attorney general’s office reviewed the investigation and approved its work. But some regents, including Dallas residents Wallace Hall and Brenda Pejovich, decided to reopen the matter — again. The regents pursuing the law foundation issue are mostly Powers’ critics. They’ve aligned themselves with a movement that could undermine UT’s research work, which Powers rightly has defended. This is micromanagement deluxe, and it needs to stop.
Others have questioned the past regent moves which are spearheaded by Gov Perry….
This has gotten ridiculous the last two years.
— Steve Hicks, University of Texas System regent and Austin businessman
I don’t believe that it would be appropriate for the board to use any public money to pursue this ill-conceived, unnecessary and duplicative investigation.
— Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, on UT regents’ voting for another law school foundation investigation
These political maneuverings by the regents are a huge distraction and obstacle to those of us who every day work in the trenches to educate students and make UT one of the best public research institutions.
— Richard Cherwitz, UT professor
Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, read from a letter presumably sent by Perry to four regents that said:
 I know you all get tired of being hammered by charlatans and peacocks, but the fight is being won.
This seems to be about money…. Perry wants the university to spend less of the money the university generates. It is also about a vindictive Aggie who would dance at anything that would hurt the University of Texas.
It’s not over. There is this disturbing message sent from Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston.
 You’re on a mission, and we’ll leave here in June, and if you’re not confirmed, the next set of appointees will replace Bill Powers, he said. I’ve been here a long time, I can see right through this process.
but…Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, and Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, said that a joint legislative committee will aim to keep the regents in check once the Legislature adjourns.
Our message to our Aggie Governor should be to leave Bill Powers and the University of Texas alone.
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