Dive Brief:
- The University of Texas at Austin’s president, William Powers Jr., who was threatened with termination by the UT system’s chancellor, will stay on for another year.
- The chancellor, Francisco Cigarroa, last week told Powers to resign or be fired at the board of regents meeting scheduled for Thursday.
- On Wednesday, the two parties came to terms on an agreement that allows Powers to remain president of the Austin campus until he formally resigns in June 2015.
Dive Insight:
The New York Times describes the showdown as a battle pitting Powers against Texas Gov. Rick Perry and his conservative allies, including regents, who are skeptical of academic research and want more emphasis on instruction that prepares students for the work force. Powers has the support of faculty and students in pushing for his university’s independence and defending traditional academics. Powers has also been the target of Wallace Hall, a regent investigating accusations of favoritism in admissions. Hall faces possible impeachment by state legislators because of his alleged abuse of potential witnesses, among other complaints related to his investigation.