University of Texas Austin President Jay Hartzell is leaving his position to become the next president of Southern Methodist University. He begin that position on June 1.

Hartzell leaves UT-Austin after four years of tense political battles and legislative efforts to implement a more conservative vision of public higher ed.

University of Texas President Jay Hartzell is leaving UT to become the next president of Southern Methodist University, the private university announced Tuesday.

Hartzell served as UT Austin president since 2020 but faced calls to step down in spring 2024 as pro-Palestine protests broke out across campus. Back in April of last year, roughly over 600 faculty members signed a letter of having "no confidence" in Hartzell after they said he called for police assistance during the protests.

Under Hartzell's leadership, UT Austin joined the Southeastern Conference and achieved new highs when it comes to applications, enrollment and graduation rates. His time as president was also marked by challenges and controversy as he led the university through a state-mandated ban on diversity,

UT Austin president Jay Hartzell has accepted a new job as president of Southern Methodist University starting this summer.

University of Texas president Jay Hartzell announced Tuesday that he's leaving to helm Southern Methodist University in Dallas at the end of the semester. Why it matters: Hartzell, who became president in April 2020,