Austin, TX
University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell leaving to lead Southern Methodist University | Houston Public Media
Manoo Sirivelu/KUT News
University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell announced Tuesday he has accepted an offer to lead Southern Methodist University, a private university in Dallas. His last day at UT will be May 31, according to the University of Texas System.
“I am very grateful to Chairman Kevin Eltife and the UT System Board of Regents for the incredible opportunity they provided me to serve UT Austin in this role,” Hartzell wrote in an email announcing his resignation to the UT community.
Eltife and UT System Chancellor J.B. Milliken congratulated Hartzell on the new role.
“We have worked closely with UT Austin during Jay Hartzell’s five years as president, and we will continue to do so in the months ahead to ensure a smooth transition,” they said in a statement.
Hartzell has served as the president of UT Austin since 2020, when the UT System’s Board of Regents voted unanimously to name him to the job. He replaced Greg Fenves, who served as president for five years before leaving for Emory University in Atlanta.
The SMU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to offer Hartzell the position following a national search. Chair David B. Miller praised Hartzell as a respected leader in higher education.
“His leadership at UT Austin and commitment to advancing programs across diverse disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, arts, education, business, law, student life, and intercollegiate athletics, make him an excellent choice as SMU’s eleventh president,” Miller said in a statement. “He also understands the vital role Texas and its universities play in the nation’s vibrant economy.”
In his email, Hartzell said by accepting the job he was following the advice he gives students: “Follow your passions, take some chances, stretch outside your comfort zone, and think of how you would like to make an impact.”
Hartzell noted that under his leadership UT Austin achieved new highs when it comes to applications, enrollment and graduation rates. Just last year, he announced UT Austin would tighten requirements for automatic admission for Texas high school students in response to the growing number of applicants. The number of applications for freshman admission for the fall 2025 term increased by more than 24% over the previous year.
During Hartzell’s tenure, UT Austin also launched new academic programs, more resources for student housing, began the renovation of the Tower and joined the Southeastern Conference.
His time as president was also marked by challenges and controversy as he led the university through a state-mandated ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs as well as pro-Palestinian protests last spring.
UT Austin laid off dozens of employees who used to work on DEI programs after Senate Bill 17 took effect last January. Some students and faculty raised concerns the flagship institution was going beyond the scope of SB 17 and eliminating offices and programs that didn’t violate the law. Republican lawmakers indicated during a hearing in November that they plan to expand DEI restrictions at public colleges and universities during the legislative session that begins next week.
Hartzell received both praise and criticism for his response to pro-Palestinian protests on campus last year, which resulted in more than 130 arrests. His decision to call in state police was hailed by Republican leaders, but blasted by some faculty and students.
Hartzell, who previously served as dean of the McCombs School of Business, said he is grateful for his nearly three decades at UT Austin.
“I will be eternally grateful for my 29 years at UT as a student, faculty member, and administrator,” he said. “My wife, Kara, and I will always be Longhorns — as alumni, parents, passionate supporters, and fans — even when we are no longer on the faculty or staff.”
Hartzell announced the decision to leave UT Austin a day after the university promoted Rachel Davis Mersey to executive vice president and provost. She has held the key position on an interim basis since Aug. 27.
Austin, TX
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issues directive keeping college tuition frozen for upcoming school year
Greg Abbott, governor of Texas, speaks to members of the media after casting his ballot at a polling location inside Austin Recreation Center on the first day of early voting in the Texas runoff election in Austin, Texas, US, on Monday, May 18, 2026.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday issued a directive reinforcing a freeze on undergraduate tuition and fees at all public institutions of higher education in Texas for the upcoming academic year.
Tuition freeze extended
In a letter sent to college and university presidents, Abbott made clear that his November 2024 directive remains fully in effect and that no undergraduate tuition or fees should be increased for the 2026–2027 academic school year. The freeze applies to all public two-year and four-year institutions, including both general academic and health-related schools.
What they’re saying:
“Higher education must be attainable for Texas students and families,” Abbott said in a statement. “Access to affordable, high-quality higher education is essential to ensure Texans learn the skills needed to secure family-sustaining jobs and meet the demands of a growing workforce.”
Undergraduate tuition and fees at Texas public institutions have remained frozen since 2023. While the state legislature previously codified the freeze for general academic four-year universities, Abbott emphasized that his executive directive encompasses all public higher education systems.
State officials noted that the tuition freeze has been paired with significant state investments intended to offset institutional costs and support affordability. In 2023, the state invested more than $680 million to reform community college funding and expand degree pathways. Additionally, during the 2025 budget cycle, Texas increased student financial aid funding by $328 million to expand access to state financial aid programs for eligible students.
What’s next:
Abbott indicated he plans to work with the legislature during its next session to extend the tuition freeze into future academic years.
The Source: Information in this article is from the Texas Governor’s office.
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas State Senator Nathan Johnson has defeated his opponent Joe Jaworski for the Democratic primary nomination in the Texas State Attorney General’s Race.
Johnson grabbed nearly 60 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s runoff election.
“A Johnson victory means that Democrats will probably have the best candidate for a November run as their nominee,” said Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University.
Johnson is campaigning on a focus on public safety, including building public relationships with prosecutors and law enforcement, and protecting competition in the marketplace for Texas consumers.
ALSO| Texas AG Ken Paxton wins GOP runoff for US Senate, ousting longtime Sen. John Cornyn
Johnson will take on either current U.S. Congressman Chip Roy or current Texas State Senator Mayes Middleton in the November election.
While calling Johnson the favorite in the Democratic primary, Jones says Johnson will be the underdog in a much different battle in November.
“Texas remains a reliably Republican state where Republican candidates start with a natural, high single-digit advantage,” said Jones. “And unlike the case of, say, Ken Paxton, who’s a deeply flawed candidate, neither Mays Middleton nor Chip Roy has any of those same flaws. They’re very conservative.”
The winner of November’s race will replace Ken Paxton as state Attorney General. Paxton has held the position since 2015, but is running for U.S. Senate in 2026. Follow all election results here.
A man votes at James Island Charter High School on Election Day on Nov. 3, 2020 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Polls are now open across Texas for the primary runoff elections.
How you voted in March’s primary election determines which party’s runoff election you are eligible to vote in. If you did not vote in a primary election in March then you can pick either party’s runoff to cast your ballot.
Where are polls open in Texas on election day?
Polls are open across the state from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Once the polls close for the day, official counts will begin to decide winners.
Any registered voter can cast a vote on Election Day, but unlike early voting, you’ll be limited to your specific precinct in some counties.
How do I find my voting place?
In order to find where the polls are in that precinct, follow these steps:
- Visit VoteTexas.gov
- Enter your details to find your polling location.
- You can also contact your local county election office to get information about your polling location and anything else voting-related. Do a simple online search for “[Your County] elections.”
- If you have your voter registration card, it should include your polling location. Locations can sometimes change — be sure to double-check this with one of the other options before you get out the door.
Do I need an ID to vote in Texas?
In order to vote in person during early voting or on election day, Texas voters will be asked to present an acceptable form of photo ID. Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
Here is a list of the supporting forms of ID that can be presented if the voter does not possess an acceptable form of photo identification and cannot reasonably obtain one:
- Copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate
- Copy of or original current utility bill
- Copy of or original bank statement
- Copy of or original government check
- Copy of or original paycheck
- Copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document)
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