University of Texas faculty express ‘no confidence’ in Hartzell [Video]

AUSTIN, Texas — More than 600 faculty members at the University of Texas at Austin have signed a letter expressing displeasure with university president Jay Hartzell.

The letter began circulating on April 25 and was sent to Hartzell’s office on April 29.

The letter cites two issues with Hartzell, the first being the university’s removal of over 40 faculty and staff members after the state’s passage of Senate Bill 17, which bans Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices at public universities in Texas. The letter claims the removals were made despite Hartzell earlier indicating that the university’s Division of Campus and Community Engagement (DCCE) complied with SB 17.

The letter also condemns Hartzell and the university’s response to the recent pro-Palestine protests on campus, specifically citing Hartzell requesting assistance from numerous police forces during the protests on April 24.

“President Hartzell needlessly put …