My colleague Skip Hollandsworth has written a timely story for the upcoming August issue that was posted online this morning. Titled “Is This the Most Dangerous Man in Texas?” it’s about UT Regent Wallace Hall, the impeachment process, and the resignation of William Powers, the president of UT-Austin. Hollandsworth recounts several fascinating moments, including this meeting between UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa and Powers:
In the fall of 2013, Cigarroa had Powers come to his office to discuss Hall’s allegations about the admissions process, and according to knowledgeable sources, the exchange turned testy when Cigarroa asked how Pitts’s son had gotten into UT law school. Powers fired back that Cigarroa’s own daughter had received the same consideration when she was admitted into the program. Cigarroa was livid. His daughter was a Harvard graduate who had top grades and a high LSAT score. He stood up and reportedly stepped toward Powers, as if he were going to punch him. The meeting quickly ended.
As I wrote yesterday, Powers is claiming victory regarding the events of the past few days: he will outlast Rick Perry, and he will be on the job during the legislative session. But I would predict that there is more to come on both fronts, for the Regents and for UT-Austin.
