In Episode 2 of Latchkey Legends, Recreation Programs Specialist Santanu Rahman talks with Karen Browning, a Senior Training Coordinator at the University of Texas at Austin, about life as a Gen Xer. 

Latchkey Legends is a Varsity Generation Podcast project that features Generation X. Gen Xers were born betwen 1965-1980. Many Gen Xers have turned 50 or are in their 50’s, and as such, are qualified to be part of Varsity Generation programs! But Gen Xers have a unique take on the world that is a little different from the Baby Boomers. In this podcast project, hosted by Santanu Rahman, a Gen Xer Recreation Programs Specialist at Montopolis Recreation and Community Center, you get to hear about the interesting life experiences that Gen Xers have gone through!

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In his first meeting with faculty leadership since being named interim president of the University of Texas at Austin, Jim Davis said he’d share their concerns and good work with state lawmakers considering legislation to increase oversight on universities’ curricula and hiring — but stopped short of saying he’d challenge efforts to limit faculty’s influence on campuses.

“You will always hear me say on any topic that I do not want to cause harm to this university,” Davis said. “I always want to help it, protect it, preserve it and grow it. And so where that balance is, I need to figure that out.”

Davis was named interim president of the UT System’s flagship last month at a critical time for higher education in Texas and nationwide. At the state level, faculty senates have become the latest target.

These bodies are made up of professors from each college and make recommendations on academic policies, curriculum design and faculty hiring and evaluation. They can also be an outlet for faculty to express disapproval with university leadership.

Several bills have been filed this legislative session that would require half of a faculty senate’s members to be appointed by university administrators rather than elected by faculty. They would also prohibit faculty senates from conducting investigations or taking any action on personnel or curricula, shifting those responsibilities to the governing boards that oversee universities. Governing boards have always had the ultimate responsibility and authority over those matters but usually delegated them.

UT-Austin faculty on Monday asked Davis if he was comfortable publicly expressing his opinions on legislative proposals or if he had been encouraged to keep quiet.

“I’m not bothered about saying what I say in public,” Davis said. “People that know me in this room — and many of you do — know that I am not always the person that follows all the rules. At the same time, what I want to do is make sure I do my very dead-level best to put this university in the best position to succeed.”

He said maintaining UT’s excellent teaching, research and student experience is his first priority.

“And so I want to start by letting you know how grateful I am to the faculty, that the faculty is the essence of teaching excellence and research excellence,” he said. “We have not forgotten that.”

Davis also acknowledged that the university’s finances are uncertain.

UT-Austin, like other universities across the country, stands to lose millions of dollars if the federal government follows through with a plan to slash spending on research overhead. State lawmakers also continue to threaten to yank public universities’ funding over the perception that they are not complying with the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programs and that they are too left-leaning.

Davis said UT-Austin has dealt with these kinds of threats at least twice in its history and that he thinks the university can overcome them by telling its story better.

“Every different viewpoint matters here. We need to be able to sustain those kinds of things for the protection of education and, frankly, the protection of democracy,” he said.

State lawmakers are also considering banning DEI in coursework and research and requiring universities to use the state’s broad definition of what constitutes antisemitism in student disciplinary proceedings, which critics say will stifle free speech.

A few hours before Davis met with faculty, his predecessor, Jay Hartzell, was more candid about some of those proposals during an interview with Evan Smith, a UT professor and founder of The Texas Tribune, at the LBJ School of Public Affairs.

When asked about Senate Bill 37, which would prohibit college courses from endorsing “specific public policies, ideologies or legislation,” Hartzell pointed out that UT-Austin has taught Marxism for a long time and “that’s a good thing.” Some lawmakers have expressed concern that classes with gender, race and identity in the title are being used to fulfill core curriculum requirements.

“Even if you are on the other side of that argument, say, capitalism, it’s good to know how the other side is seeing the world. And so I think I feel way differently about what is offered than I do what’s required,” Hartzell said.

Hartzell also said another provision of the bill, which would allow regents to have the final say on every university hire in a leadership position, sounded like an “administrative nightmare.”

Hartzell compared universities to law firms in which presidents are managing partners and “the faculty are partners in this effort and there’s a reason they have the say they have.” Hartzell faced strong faculty pushback firsthand last spring when he called in state police to help wrangle pro-Palestinian protesters.

Hartzell was a dean before he was named UT-Austin president in 2020 while Davis was chief operating officer.

As president, Hartzell said he had to think about the short- and long-term effects of taking a stand against the Legislature. The long-term effects of protesting the DEI ban last legislative session, he said, ultimately outweighed the short-term ones. He oversaw the layoff of dozens of employees and the closure of the school’s multicultural center.

“If we hadn’t laid anybody off and let these perceived inefficiencies continue forever, I thought we’d be pounded in the next session,” Hartzell said.

The Texas Tribune partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.

Disclosure: University of Texas at Austin and University of Texas at Austin – LBJ School of Public Affairs have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

We can’t wait to welcome you to the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas’ breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Step inside the conversations shaping the future of education, the economy, health care, energy, technology, public safety, culture, the arts and so much more.

Hear from our CEO, Sonal Shah, on TribFest 2025.

TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.

As your calendar fills up with more outdoor activities during the sunnier weeks ahead, think about switching up your mode of transportation to practice sustainability and enjoy more vitamin D. Biking in Austin has never been more fun, safe and convenient than it is now. Whether you’re looking to get from home to work and back or add a leisurely scenic ride to your weekend coffee shop date, Austin is full of opportunities to enjoy a safe bicycle commute.

Ride Responsibly

If you’re used to the comfort of traveling in a car, the thought of cycling on the road can feel intimidating. If you’re looking to start commuting around the city on a bicycle, here are some tips to help set you up for success:

• Map your route before you go. You’ll need your eyes and ears on the road at all times, so make sure you know your route ahead of time! Find the new 2025 Bike Map at your local library or bike shop — or view the interactive version here — to scope out the best routes to take on your commute.  
   
• Obey traffic laws. Use the bike lane or a trail wherever possible. Be sure to always ride in the same direction as traffic and don’t forget to use your hand signals when turning.
   
• Practice defensive driving. Make eye contact with motorists. Be certain they’re going to stop before heading into an intersection.
   
• Stay prepared. Equip your bike with necessary safety gear like front and back lights to improve your visibility on the road.  
   
• Stay safe with the proper gear. Always wear a helmet with a proper fit and strap. Wear clothing to protect you from the elements and comfortable shoes for pedaling.

Rent Your Next Ride

Don’t have a bike of your own? CapMetro Bikeshare has a fleet of 100% electric bikes available at more than 75 stations across the city. CapMetro bicycles are available 24/7 at stations that connect you to CapMetro bus and rail routes. Checking out an e-bike is an easy and convenient way to get around town while reducing your carbon footprint and increasing your physical activity!  

• Rent out a Bikeshare using the CapMetro Bikeshare App or by paying at the kiosk. Students are eligible for a Student Pass.  
   
• Take your bike for a spin! Check out a Bikeshare at one station and check it back in at any other location after your ride. Use the station map to locate the station nearest your final destination.
   
• Return your bicycle to a dock to end your trip! You’ll her a beep letting you know the locks are engaged. Give the bike a tug to ensure it is secure.

Download the CapMetro Bikeshare App or check the bikeshare stations map to find the nearest stations to you. .  

Make it Fun

Have fun! Invite a friend to join you on your next ride. Add a scenic detour through one of Austin’s Urban Trails. The Urban Trails System provides a safe and comfortable way to connect to other bicycle networks and major roads through wide, safe trails that are physically separated from on-street traffic. Leave a little early and add one of these trails to your route to enjoy some extra sun and fresh air.  

Using the proper safety practices and a little bit of planning ahead, anyone can bike in Austin! For more inspiration on how to get around sustainably, follow Get There ATX on Facebook or Instagram or subscribe to the monthly newsletter.