Regents Chairman Gene Powell responds to Lt. Governor Dewhurst's Statement

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst is an outstanding public servant and I am proud to call him a good friend. 

Over the last few days, I have had several good conversations with Governor Dewhurst, in which he and I have discussed recent events in the Texas Senate and at The University of Texas System. I informed him of my belief that some statements made in recent days, particularly about members of the UT System Board of Regents, surely had to be the result of misinformation and were either incorrect or inaccurate. I know my fellow regents; they are outstanding individuals and I stand behind them fully. 

Governor Dewhurst and I have concluded our conversations on a very positive, collaborative note. I appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight and I know the Lt. Governor appreciated the opportunity to gain further information about the subjects that concern him.  I applaud his desire for positive outcomes.  I join him in the desire to move forward constructively on these issues, and we have agreed to keep in close contact in the days and weeks to come. 

With the appointment this week of the Joint Select Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency, the Board and the individual Regents also look forward to continuing discussions with members of the Texas Legislature on the issues that are so important to moving the UT System and higher education in our state forward. The UT Regents all continue to unanimously support Chancellor Cigarroa’s Framework for Advancing Excellence and the Framework’s focus on maintaining accessibility, affordability and excellence at all fifteen of our System’s outstanding institutions. 

I was also pleased to hear Governor Perry’s announcement yesterday of appointments to the Board Regents, and we look forward to having these outstanding individuals join us in conversations during their Senate confirmation process.