UT Austin’s Liberal Arts Restructuring Sparks Concerns Among Faculty

The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Liberal Arts is facing potential restructuring, raising alarm among faculty and students. An email from Daniel Brinks, the college’s associate dean for academic affairs, announced the formation of the Advisory Committee on Administrative Structure. This committee aims to address what Brinks described as the college’s “overly fragmented” administrative structure.

Concerns have emerged regarding the future of various academic departments, with specific apprehension about the possible elimination of entire areas of study. In a verbal communication, Mary Neuburger, chair of the Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies, indicated that her department may be absorbed into another, raising fears about the impact on research related to significant global issues. “I think we can all agree that Russia is a really important global player right now,” Neuburger remarked, highlighting the importance of specialized knowledge in understanding international relations.

Although Brinks’ email, sent on October 23, 2023, mentioned that the committee would not focus on individual academic programs initially, many faculty members remain skeptical. They worry that smaller departments will struggle to have their voices heard in the restructuring process. The committee, chaired by Brinks, comprises seven other faculty members from various disciplines, including Asian Studies, African and African Diaspora Studies, and American Studies.

The College of Liberal Arts houses 26 departments and over 30 research centers and institutes, prompting concerns that the interests of smaller units might be overlooked during the review. Julie Minich, a faculty member in the Mexican American and Latina/o Studies Department, expressed her worry that a historically significant area of knowledge is being disregarded. She emphasized the university’s renowned reputation in this field and the potential consequences of such administrative changes.

Students are also voicing their apprehensions regarding the future of their studies and funding for teaching assistant positions. Sydney Jael Wilson, a first-year graduate student in Women and Gender Studies, relocated from Atlanta to pursue her education at UT Austin. The restructuring announcement has left her uncertain about her department’s stability and funding. Wilson stated, “Everything has been happening in the dark but not as transparent as you would hope for. It’s been causing a lot of stress as someone who moved across the country to study here.”

The origins of the directive to create the committee remain unclear, although some faculty attribute it to recent statements made by university leadership. In a speech last week, Jim Davis, president of UT Austin, questioned whether educators have succeeded in providing diverse perspectives in their teaching environments. He pledged to uphold academic freedom while promoting a “balanced education.”

However, some faculty interpret these remarks as contradictory. Minich noted, “There has been a lot of talk about viewpoint diversity on campus, and strangely it has become a code word for suppressing viewpoint diversity.” She emphasized that the administration’s efforts to “depoliticize” the university may instead be contributing to a politically charged environment.

The restructuring discussions are part of broader changes at the university. Earlier this month, the University of Texas System began auditing courses related to gender studies. Additionally, a faculty member was dismissed from administrative duties due to perceived “ideological differences.”

UT Austin is notably the only academic institution among the original nine that were offered a compact by the Trump administration, which calls for universities to revise governance structures to ensure free speech and eliminate any institutional units that may incite violence against conservative ideas. The university has not yet announced whether it will participate in this initiative.

As the situation unfolds, both faculty and students continue to seek clarity regarding the restructuring process and its implications for the College of Liberal Arts. The College of Liberal Arts and UT Austin declined to comment on this developing story.