A More Diverse and Welcoming Campus
The University of Texas at Austin announced steps to promote diversity and equity and to recruit, attract, retain and support even more talented and diverse students, staff members and faculty members who can change the world. Every action we take will support the people who make UT a special place and will fulfill our mission to teach, learn and discover. Read the full message here.
Efforts to Recruit, Attract, Retain and Support Talented and Diverse Students, Faculty and Staff
In Progress Adopt a university-wide plan to recruit, develop and retain world-class faculty members who bring more diversity to our research and teaching missions
This plan has been in the works for more than a year under the leadership of Vice Provost for Diversity Ted Gordon and includes new funding for research and scholarship.
In Progress Refocus and sharpen our Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (UDIAP)
The Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (UDIAP) was released in 2017. We will regularly signal our priorities, commitment and progress toward measurable goals through a refreshed and better-communicated plan.
Complete Expand the UT Austin Police Oversight Committee
The goal is to include more community members and a broader range of students, have it meet more frequently, and broaden its mission to oversee student and community engagement, communications and the exploration of creative approaches to community policing, on-campus safety and wellness issues.
In Progress Allocate a Multimillion-Dollar Investment from Athletic's Revenue to Worthy University Programs
In Progress Expand programs that provide transformative opportunities for future Black leaders, reflecting some of the outstanding work already being done within the university.
In Progress Launch a program in conjunction with the Texas Exes, using a new program with Texas Athletics as a pilot project, to improve students’ ability to position themselves for post-graduation success.
In Progress Expand our presence and outreach in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and elsewhere to better recruit outstanding high school students from underrepresented groups. To achieve this, the university has already approved the first $1 million in new funds to expand student recruitment and community engagement.
In Progress Fundraise additional funds to establish more private scholarships specifically dedicated to recruiting students who have been accepted at UT but may be considering other institutions.
Ensure That We Recognize and Learn From Our History and Reflect Our Values Through Our Campus Symbols
In Progress Changes to the Robert L. Moore Building
Complete Rename the Robert L. Moore Building as the Physics, Math and Astronomy Building
In Progress UT will provide historical explanations within the building about why past university leaders chose to name the space for Professor Moore.
Complete Rename Joe Jamail Field in honor of Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams
At the suggestion of the Jamail family, we will rename Joe Jamail Field at the stadium in honor of Texas’ two great Heisman Trophy winners Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams. Read the official name change announcement.
In Progress Adopt a plan to own, acknowledge and teach about all aspects of the origins of “The Eyes of Texas”
Professor Richard Reddick, a Texas Ex and Associate Dean for Equity, Community Engagement and Outreach in the College of Education, is chairing The Eyes of Texas History Committee that will chronicle the full history of the Eyes and, by January, recommend ways we can openly acknowledge, share and learn from it. The committee will be comprised of diverse alumni, staff, faculty and students, including current or former athletes and Longhorn Band members, and will draw upon the expertise of the many historians and higher education scholars here at UT.
In Progress Honor Heman M. Sweatt
This will recognize Sweatt’s courage and leadership in changing the world through the 1950 case that he won, allowing him and other Black students to attend UT. This will also place Painter Hall within the context of our university’s resistance to integration under T.S. Painter’s presidency, and ultimately to the Sweatt decision’s crucial role in integrating public education.
In Progress Create the Heman M. Sweatt Entrance to T.S. Painter Hall
In Progress Rededicate a space in T.S. Painter Hall to recognize Heman M. Sweatt’s courage and leadership
The reimagined, redesigned and rededicated space in T.S. Painter Hall will serve as an exhibit and gathering place where we will tell the story of the U.S. Supreme Court case of Sweatt v. Painter.
In Progress Erect a statue of Heman M. Sweatt near the entrance to T.S. Painter Hall
CompleteErect a statue for Julius Whittier at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium
This will honor the legacy of Julius Whittier, UT’s first African-American letterman. Whittier made his debut in 1970 — one season after Texas fielded the last all-white national championship team in the history of college football. With Whittier, Texas won three Southwest Conference titles and the 1970 national championship.
In Progress Honor the Precursors by commissioning a new monument on the East Mall
The Precursors were the first Black undergraduates to attend The University of Texas at Austin. The new monument on the East Mall will be the central feature of a larger space dedicated to the pioneering students and faculty members who helped move the university toward becoming more inclusive.
Planned Educate our community and visitors about the historical context of many of the names across campus
Building on the work by the Campus Contextualization Committee, UT will work to further educate our community and visitors about the history and context of many of the names that remain, such as the Littlefield Fountain, the statue of Gov. Jim Hogg, the Belo Center and the pedestals on which a series of statues stood until 2017. This education may take the form of plaques and a website that our community and visitors can easily access from their phones.