Under Republican leadership, UT Austin has installed new top leadership, cut numerous majors, overhauled its core curriculum and intervened in the governance of KUT Public Media, according to KUT News. Democrats, who have criticized many of those changes, are set to take charge after the midterm elections.
The governor appoints the nine voting members of the UT System Board of Regents, and the Legislature controls university budgets and policies. Gina Hinojosa, who defeated Abbott to become Texas's first Democratic governor in more than three decades, will now fill those seats. Six of the nine regents are not up for reappointment until 2029 or later, unless they choose to leave sooner. The Republican-majority Texas Senate must confirm her picks if she makes them while the Legislature is in session.
Gary Susswein, UT's former top spokesman, said that could limit Hinojosa's ability to make sweeping changes right away. He noted that former Gov. Rick Perry repeatedly clashed with the regents he had chosen. Three regents' terms expire next February, including Board Chair Kevin Eltife. Hinojosa's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hinojosa has said she will appoint regents who are respectful of academic freedom.