From: Ed Zhang To: Chancellor Subject: A plea for an open ear. Date: Monday, July 07, 2014 10:14:04 PM Greetings Chancellor Cigarroa, My name is Ed Zhang. I am writing to you today in regards to the further ability of President Bill Powers to remain as President of the University of Texas. I am a recent graduate from the McCombs School of Business and the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas. I hold dual degrees in Finance and Economics, and I am very proud of both of them. I understand that you and the Regents have your reasons for questioning President Power's capability to govern the university, but I am writing to say that I am fully confident that President Bill Powers has not only made tremendous improvements to the University, but has the potential to continue to do so. Chancellor, I am not a native Texan. I was born in China and lived there for five years before I immigrated with family to Canada. There I was raised, and believed that there I would live my life until six years ago, when employment moved my family to Texas. I did not like it here at first. I wanted to get out as soon as possible, to find my fortunes further north, and to be rid of the heat, the humidity, and most of all to be rid of what I thought was a culture of academic backwardness. However, when the opportunity for me came to go elsewhere - I had received acceptances from UC Berkeley and University of Michigan, as well as other public institutions) - I decided, for reasons I didn't understand at the time, to stay in Texas and attend UT. Today, four years later, I know realize that it was the right decision. These four years at the University of Texas have been the best four years of my life. UT nurtured me and helped grow personally, socially, and professionally. I learned firsthand the immensity of academic power Texas possessed, and the inspirational ability that the university had for bring out this potential and to turn it into something great. I experienced the passion and spirit that this great university through football games, philanthropic events, and youthful activism. I understood that what started there, could truly change the world. But above everything else, I realized after my four years at the University of Texas, that I truly loved Texas. However, in light of recent events, I am very concerned about the path that my beloved university will take. I am worried that its greatest champion, a peerless leader who raised UT's greatness to even higher levels, is in danger of being deposed. I am worried that the direction we are headed in will not only damage the reputation of the University, but the quality of education its students. I am fearful that the vision the Regents and the State Government has for higher education in Texas will be against everything UT and other similar institutions have stood for. Chancellor, I know that you are not trying to harm the University. I understand that what you and the Regents are doing are with the best of intentions. But I implore you to please listen. Listen to what the students are saying. Your actions now have direct impact on the value of their education later. Their voices are the most important voices out there, beyond any legislator, any regent, any university administrator. The students are those who make the University great, and those students are what makes everything that we are doing worth fighting for. The future of this great state lies in the hands of students like us, who go out to the world and become our greatest champions. Listen to us, and hear what we say. Chancellor, I stand with Bill Powers. The question is: will you? Regards, Ed Zhang -- Ed Zhang Finance | Financial Markets and Banking McCombs School of Business University of Texas 281. 685. 5589 From: Franz Guerard To: Chancellor Subject: Bill Powers Date: Tuesday, July 08, 2014 9:04:48 AM I support Bill Powers. This witch hunt needs to stop! The real villain in this soap opera is Walter Hall. He needs to be impeached! You would hope the Chancellor of this great university would listen to the voices of students, faculty, and alumni and not the political hacks at the root of this disgusting gambit. Franz Guerard BBA '73 Sent from my iPad From: Luke Kellogg To: Chancellor Subject: Bill Powers should not be asked to resign or fired Date: Tuesday, July 08, 2014 7:06:56 AM As a UT Alumni ( 86) , I want to voice my opinion that it would be a complete mistake to cause or ask Bill Powers to resign. Thanks you— Luke C Kellogg From: on behalf of Per To: Chancellor Cc: all gmc all gmc Subject: Bill Powers Date: Monday, July 07, 2014 10:41:15 PM Dear Chancellor Cigarroa, I urge you to reconsider the ultimatum issued against President Powers. Denying Bill Powers an opportunity to resign from his position in a coordinated fashion will be disruptive to the university in the short term. Moreover, it will damage the reputation of higher education in Texas permanently. The situation has developed to a point where your legacy as an academic leader depends on your ability to protect the flagship institution of your system from the actions of some members of our Board of Regents. Their doings are guided by ideology, and not by a desire to act in the interest of all Texans who value quality public education. Please regard this challenge as an opportunity to show strong leadership by deescalating the crisis! Best wishes, Per Urlaub ***** Per Urlaub, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Germanic Studies University of Texas at Austin ***** From: To: Chancellor Subject: Bill Powers Date: Tuesday, July 08, 2014 8:55:38 AM I am in favor of Bill Powers being allowed to serve until May 30, 2015. It would be in the best long-term interest of the university and of those that the university serves to allow Bill Powers to leave with his head held high. Marc Stewart BBA 1958 From: Kari Banta To: Chancellor Subject: Do not force Bill Powers out of UT Date: Monday, July 07, 2014 10:33:42 PM Dear Chancellor Cigarroa: As an alumna of the University of Texas at Austin I am very disappointed and angry about your ultimatum to Bill Powers. You demonstrate a willful lack of interest in what is best for the University and frankly I question your qualifications to be a Regent. Do I need to list President Powers accomplishments at UT? The first medical school at a Tier 1 university in 50 years is only the latest significant accomplishment. His work has led to UT's status as one of the finest universities in the world, something I can say without any exaggeration. I hold two degrees from UT, and your actions threaten to destroy the reputation of a place that is very dear to me on a personal and professional level. Please do not go forward with your threat to fire Bill Powers if he does not resign. Respectfully, Kari Banta MA Comparative Literature, 2000 MS Community and Regional Planning, 2004 From: Ryan Grosskopf To: Chancellor Subject: I support Bill Powers Date: Tuesday, July 08, 2014 7:54:46 AM To Whom It May Concern, Next to purchasing a home, tertiary education is the largest single investment most people make. Like other assets, this investment can increase or decrease in value after acquisition. I have degrees from two of UT's highest-ranked programs and I believe these investments have increased in value over the years as people like Bill Powers have continued to fulfill the University's obligation to be "of the first class." I have yet to hear a clear argument made for his removal and the imposition of Texas politics on the University system is damaging my investment. If you believe that someone else could better fulfill the University's mission then make your case. Otherwise, these constant attempts to undermine Mr. Powers smack of little more than a personal vendetta. Sincerely, Ryan Grosskopf BBA, 2002 MS, 2011 From: Audrey S To: Chancellor Subject: I support President Powers Date: Monday, July 07, 2014 10:05:05 PM Dear Chancellor Cigarroa, As an alumna of The University of Texas, I would like to voice my utmost support for President Powers. I encourage you to consider the rapport that President Powers has with the distinguished faculty, staff, students, and alumni of The University of Texas, as well as his integral role in transforming the university into one of the most distinguished public universities in the United States. I urge you to let this be your guiding light, as personal and party politics have no place in higher education. Thank you for acting in favor of the future of Texas by supporting President Powers, as well, now and in the future. Best regards, Audrey Straus From: Zach Medlin To: Chancellor Subject: Keep President Powers Date: Monday, July 07, 2014 10:59:04 PM I would like to express my support for President Powers. He is an asset to higher education and especially UT Austin. Zach Medlin University of Texas B.S. 2005 College of Communication Sent from my iPad From: Jake T To: Chancellor Subject: Now is not the time Date: Monday, July 07, 2014 10:46:24 PM Dear Chancellor Cigarroa, I humbly ask you to reconsider and rescind your demand for President Powers resignation.