Having served proudly as a faculty member for 41 years, I am appalledby the politically motivated transformation of The University of Texas at Austin.
I no longer recognize my former employer.
The dramatic changes implemented unilaterally by UT’s president and provost are tantamount to a coup, resulting in faculty angst about what they can teach and whether their tenure is secure. There are reports that some have left or retired.
The absence of effective and successful backlash thus far should not be surprising. I applaud my colleagues at UT who are vigorously protesting. If I was still on the faculty, I would do the same.
Some faculty, however, worry about their jobs and can’t take the risk of speaking out. I have received dozens of email messages
from faculty explaining why they don’t protest. Moreover, faculty have no viable administrative structure to force change. The president and provost are locked in—and short of being fired will maintain the status quo.
So, is change even possible and, if so, how would it occur? Keep in mind that “protest” and “politics” are not the same— and can have very different outcomes. Hence, for those outraged, my recommendation is to identify UT alumni and supporters, especially those who are Republicans and hence under normal circumstances likely to vote for Gov. Greg Abbott. Because of their loyalty to UT, these constituents can and therefore must be persuaded to vote for Gina Hinojosa.
A Democrat governor, after all, can appoint regents and change the conservative political agenda that fuels UT’s political transformation. A Democrat legislature also could have sway.
Without new state leadership, immediate change at UT is not likely, perhaps not possible.
- Richard Cherwitz, Ph.D., is the Ernest A. Sharpe Centennial Professor Emeritus, Moody College of Communication and Founding Director, Intellectual Entrepreneurship Consortium (IE) at The University of Texas at Austin.
How to share a letter to the editor
Want to share your voice in the A-J? We'd love for you to contribute to the thoughtful and civil conversation. Please send us a letter to the editor by emailing us at newmedia@lubbockonline.com or through mail: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 710 Avenue J, Lubbock, TX 79401. Please keep submissions to around 250 words or less.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Letter to the editor from Texas emeritus professor calls for change
