{{Short description|President of Southern Methodist University}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Jay Hartzell | image = Jay Hartzell 2019.jpg | caption = Hartzell in 2019 | office = President of Southern Methodist University | term_start = June 1, 2025 | term_end = | predecessor = R. Gerald Turner | successor = | office1 = 30th President of the University of Texas, Austin | term_start1 = September 23, 2020 | term_end1 = February 19, 2025 | predecessor1 = Gregory L. Fenves | successor1 = Jim Davis | birth_name = Jay Carter Hartzell | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|9|1}} | birth_place = Kansas, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | education = Trinity University (BS)<br>University of Texas at Austin (MS, PhD) | signature = Jay Hartzell full signature.png | module = {{Infobox academic | child = yes | thesis_title = The Impact of the Likelihood of Turnover on Executive Compensation | thesis_url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/304457891/ | thesis_year = 1998 | doctoral_advisor = Laura Stark | discipline = Finance | workplaces = {{ubl |New York University |University of Texas, Austin}}}} }} '''Jay Carter Hartzell''' (born September 1, 1969) is an American economist, currently serving as the 11th president of Southern Methodist University. He was previously the 30th President of the University of Texas at Austin, holding office from 2020 to 2025.
== Early life and education ==
Hartzell was born in Kansas and grew up in Oklahoma. He graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio cum laude with a B.S. in business administration and economics. After receiving a doctorate in finance from UT Austin, he served as a tenure-track assistant professor of finance at New York University's Stern School of Business between 1998 and 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Korte|first=Lara|date=August 13, 2020|title=Meet Jay Hartzell, a loyal Longhorn and UT's interim president|url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200605/meet-jay-hartzell-loyal-longhorn-and-utrsquos-interim-president|access-date=August 21, 2020|website=Austin American-Statesman|language=en-US}}</ref>
== University of Texas at Austin == In 2001, Hartzell returned to UT Austin as a faculty member in the McCombs School of Business. Since then, he has served in various capacities, including as the senior associate dean for academic affairs, the executive director of the business school's Real Estate Finance and Investment Center, and as the chair of UT Austin's finance department.<ref name="HartzellAnnouncement">{{Cite web|last=Britto|first=Brittany|date=August 13, 2020|title=UT-Austin names interim president Jay Hartzell sole finalist for presidency|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/education/campus-chronicles/article/UT-Austin-names-interim-president-Jay-Hartzell-15481737.php|access-date=August 21, 2020|website=Houston Chronicle|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2016, he was named dean of the McCombs School of Business. As dean, Hartzell launched the Goff Real Estate Labs, elevated the Canfield Business Honors program and opened Rowling Hall, the home of UT Austin's MBA program. He helped create many significant partnerships with colleges and schools across campus including the Dell Medical School, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Natural Sciences and the Moody College of Communication. He established the position of Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusion at the McCombs School and the McCombs Diversity and Inclusion Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 4, 2019|title=About the President|url=https://president.utexas.edu/about-president|access-date=August 21, 2020|website=Office of the President|language=en}}</ref> He also established McCombs’ one-year Master of Science in Finance degree, created the Undergraduate Real Estate Certificate Program and oversaw the completion of the fundraising, construction and opening of Rowling Hall, a 500,000-square-foot graduate business facility.<ref name="HartzellInterim">{{Cite web|title=McCombs Business Dean Hartzell named interim president of UT Austin|url=https://utsystem.edu/news/2020/04/08/mccombs-business-dean-hartzell-named-interim-president-of-ut-austin|date=April 8, 2020|access-date=August 23, 2023}}</ref>
In April 2020, the University of Texas System's Board of Regents appointed Hartzell to serve as interim president of UT Austin.<ref name="HartzellInterim"/> In July 2020, in response to concerns raised by student athletes, alumni and other UT Austin community members, Hartzell announced a series of measures designed to create a more diverse and welcoming campus at UT Austin.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Luna|first=Marcy de|date=2020-07-14|title=UT-Austin will keep "Eyes of Texas", make several changes to address call for change|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/UT-Austin-will-keep-Eyes-of-Texas-make-several-15407366.php|access-date=August 21, 2020|website=Houston Chronicle}}</ref> The measures included: working with a group of students, faculty members, staffers and alumni to allocate a multimillion-dollar investment from Athletics’ revenue to UT Austin programs to recruit, attract, retain and support Black students; renaming the Robert L. Moore Building as the Physics, Math and Astronomy Building; honoring Heman M. Sweatt, UT Austin's first Black student, in a variety of ways on campus; commissioning a new monument for the Precursors, the first Black undergraduates to attend UT Austin; erecting a statue for Julius Whittier, UT Austin's first Black football player; and renaming Joe Jamail Field for Heisman Trophy winners Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cramer|first=Maria|date=2020-07-14|title=University of Texas Won't Drop Song With Racist History|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/14/us/eyes-of-texas-football.html|access-date=August 21, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He has at the same time also received criticism from Black lawmakers and UT students concerning his defence of the song "Eyes of Texas" although considered a racist tradition of the university by some.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McGee|first=Kate|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2021/03/29/ut-austin-eyes-of-texas/|title = Black lawmakers, NAACP and students push back on UT-Austin's "The Eyes of Texas" report, urge school to lose the song|date = 29 March 2021|website=The Texas Tribune|access-date=August 27, 2023}}</ref>
Throughout the summer of 2020, Hartzell led UT Austin's response to the COVID-19 crisis, and on August 13, 2020, the UT System Board of Regents announced Hartzell as the sole finalist for the position of UT Austin president.<ref name="HartzellAnnouncement" /> On September 23, 2020, the UT System Board of Regents unanimously voted to name Hartzell the 30th president of UT Austin, effective immediately.<ref name="HartzellPresident">{{Cite web |last=Mekelburg |first=Madlin |date=September 23, 2020 |title=Jay Hartzell named UT Austin president |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200923/jay-hartzell-named-ut-austin-president |access-date=August 27, 2023 |work=Austin American-Statesman}}</ref>
On April 2, 2024, Hartzell announced additional adjustments in compliance with Senate Bill 17,<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Kaanita |last1=Iyer |first2=Chris |last2=Boyette |date=2023-06-15 |title=Texas governor signs bill to ban DEI offices at state public colleges |department=Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/15/politics/greg-abbott-texas-dei-office-ban-colleges/index.html |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> particularly in response to a March 26 letter from Texas State Senator Brandon Creighton,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Creighton |first=Brandon |date=March 26, 2024 |title=Senator Brandon Creighton Announces Oversight on Senate Bill 17 Implementation |url=https://senate.texas.gov/press.php?id=4-20240326a&ref=1 |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=The Texas State Senate}}</ref> which led to the layoff of approximately 60 individuals, most of whom formerly worked in DEI-related programs, and the elimination of the newly renamed Division of Campus and Community Engagement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alonso |first=Johanna |date=April 4, 2024 |title=UT Austin Closes Former DEI Division |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/04/04/ut-austin-closes-former-dei-division-lays-employees |website=Inside Higher Ed}}</ref> Critics denounced the university's over-compliance with the anti-DEI law, since the university had already been compliant since January 1, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nietzel |first=Michael T. |title=University Of Texas Laying Off Staff To Comply With State's DEI Ban |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2024/04/03/university-of-texas-laying-off-staff-to-comply-with-states-dei-ban/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-02 |title=UT Austin lays off around 60 staffers to comply with Texas DEI ban |url=https://www.kut.org/education/2024-04-02/ut-austin-dei-diversity-law-sb-17 |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station |language=en}}</ref> This decision led to on-campus protests and a petition from over 500 concerned parties calling for additional transparency, along with requesting a town hall, to which Hartzell did not respond.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Char |date=April 18, 2024 |title=UT Austin students protest school's DEI layoffs amid state ban |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/ut-austin-students-protest-schools-dei-layoffs-state-ban-rcna146646 |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=NBC News}}</ref> At a UT Austin Faculty Council meeting on April 15, in response to mounting criticism, Hartzell stated the additional changes were made in response to threats from the Republican-led State Legislature and the University of Texas System Board of Regents, and to restore "confidence" in the university, reacting to changing tides in public opinion towards higher education amongst Republicans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=April 15, 2024, Faculty Council Meeting Transcript |url=https://utexas.app.box.com/s/xd9g3mv11qplvtaqj2bvvpyeunk4jrxh |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=The University of Texas at Austin Faculty Council |page=15 |format=PDF}}</ref>
On April 24, 2024, the university, under Hartzell's explicit directive,<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1783657338836033541 |user=thedailytexan |title=BREAKING: UT President Jay Hartzell's messages with a state senator and the UT System Chancellor reveal he requested additional help from DPS at yesterday's protest because "our police force couldn't do it alone," according to messages obtained by The Austin American-Statesman. |author=The Daily Texan |author-link=The Daily Texan |date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1783647439955660882 |user=RyanChandlerTV |title=It was President Hartzell himself who called in DPS to respond to the protests yesterday, UT tells me. "That was President Hartzell. That was President Hartzell. Along with his leadership team and UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife," Comms Director Mike Rosen said. |first=Ryan |last=Chandler |date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Plohetski |first1=Tony |last2=Wagner |first2=Bayliss |date=2024-04-26 |title=Austin protest: Texts reveal why UT president called in DPS help |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2024/04/25/austin-protest-texts-reveal-why-ut-president-called-in-for-dps-help/73454193007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426140822/https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2024/04/25/austin-protest-texts-reveal-why-ut-president-called-in-for-dps-help/73454193007/ |archive-date=2024-04-26 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Austin American-Statesman}}</ref> requested the assistance of the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, in coordination with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, in an attempt to quell large student-led pro-Palestinian protests and an "occupation" of the university,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Dey |first1=Sneha |last2=Mohamed |first2=Ikram |last3=Xia |first3=Annie |last4=Melhado |first4=William |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Police arrest more than two dozen pro-Palestine protesters on UT-Austin campus amid tense standoff |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/24/ut-austin-israel-hamas-war-palestine-student-arrests/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=The Texas Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Leija |first=Ren |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Hundreds of UT Austin students, faculty gather on campus for pro-Palestinian protest |url=https://thedailytexan.com/2024/04/24/hundreds-of-ut-austin-students-faculty-gather-on-campus-for-pro-palestinian-protest/ |work=The Daily Texan}}</ref> in contrast to free speech on campus laws praised by Abbott and the university in prior years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Irwin |first=Lauren |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Abbott says pro-Palestine protesters at UT Austin 'belong in jail' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4619310-abbott-says-pro-palestine-protestors-at-ut-austin-belong-in-jail/ |work=The Hill}}</ref> The decision and subsequent statements received sharp backlash from faculty, staff, students, several Democratic legislators for the region, and First Amendment advocacy groups,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grant |first=Matt |date=April 25, 2024 |title=Press freedom advocates want change following Austin photojournalist protest arrest |url=https://www.kxan.com/investigations/press-freedom-advocates-want-change-following-austin-photojournalist-protest-arrest/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=t.co |access-date=April 25, 2024 |work=KXAN-TV |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426021555/https://www.kxan.com/investigations/press-freedom-advocates-want-change-following-austin-photojournalist-protest-arrest/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=t.co |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Elbein |first=Saul |date=April 25, 2024 |title=Texas Gov. Abbott faces backlash after mass arrest at UT Austin pro-Palestine protest |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4620838-texas-governor-abbott-backlash-mass-arrest-ut-austin-pro-palestine-protest/ |access-date=April 25, 2024 |work=The Hill}}</ref> including an official statement from the UT Faculty Council Executive Committee denouncing it,<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last1=Downen |first1=Robert |last2=Mohamed |first2=Ikram |last3=Melhado |first3=William |date=April 25, 2024 |title=Faculty petition to hold no-confidence vote in UT-Austin president after protest response |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/25/ut-austin-palestine-protest-fallout/ |access-date=April 25, 2024 |work=The Texas Tribune}}</ref> in part due to the extreme, chaotic, and violent police response that ensued and alleged violations of First Amendment rights.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Perry |first1=Nick |last2=Vertuno |first2=Jim |last3=Coronado |first3=Acacia |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Dozens arrested on California campus after students in Texas detained as Gaza war protests persist |url=https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-campus-protests-47f4f7f0916a6493b79eede3e4d0a55d |website=AP News}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Downen |first=Robert |date=April 25, 2024 |title=UT-Austin faculty criticizes response to pro-Palestine walkout as students plan new protest |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/25/ut-austin-palestine-protest-fallout/ |access-date=April 25, 2024 |work=The Texas Tribune}}</ref> A total of 57 protesters were arrested, including a photojournalist for Fox 7 Austin, with several more detained.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Velez |first=Abigail |date=April 24, 2024 |title="This was supposed to be peaceful": Dozens detained at UT Austin protest |url=https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/this-was-supposed-to-be-peaceful-dozens-detained-at-ut-austin-protest |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=CBS Austin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=kvue.com |date=April 24, 2024 |title=At least 50 arrested at pro-Palestine protests on UT Austin campus |url=https://www.kvue.com/video/news/local/at-least-50-arrested-at-pro-palestine-protests-on-ut-austin-campus/269-826b6c92-c71f-402e-bad0-6b731d0d6a4b |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=KVUE Austin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 24, 2024 |title=University of Texas Palestine protest leads to more than 30 arrests, including FOX 7 photographer |url=https://www.fox7austin.com/news/ut-texas-protest-palestine-israel-gaza-rally-college-university-campus |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=FOX 7 Austin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Paul |first=Kari |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Fox journalist among dozens arrested at Texas university as protests swell |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/24/university-of-texas-austin-campus-protest |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Charges were dismissed against 46 protesters the next day leading to their subsequent release,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weber |first=Andrew |date=April 25, 2024 |title=Charges dismissed against 46 arrested during pro-Palestinian protest at UT Austin |url=https://www.kut.org/crime-justice/2024-04-25/ut-austin-palestinian-protest-charges-dismissed-israel-gaza-war |work=KUT News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kepner |first1=Lily |last2=Moreno-Paz |first2=Bianca |date=April 25, 2024 |title=Live: UT-Austin professors plan protest with students, PSC calls for Hartzell's resignation |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/education/2024/04/25/ut-austin-professors-students-pro-palestinian-protest-campus-live-updates/73450483007/ |access-date=April 25, 2024 |work=Austin American-Statesman}}</ref> with the charges against the remaining 11 protesters dropped on April 26.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weber |first=Andrew |date=April 26, 2024 |title=Charges dropped against all 57 pro-Palestinian demonstrators arrested on UT campus |url=https://www.kut.org/crime-justice/2024-04-26/ut-austin-protesters-israel-gaza-war-charges-dropped-delia-garza |access-date=April 26, 2024 |work=KUT News}}</ref> The protest occurred amidst nationwide demonstrations on college campuses.
On April 25, 2024, more than 1,000 students, faculty, and staff protested outside of the UT Austin Main Building calling for Hartzell's resignation, along with the local chapter of the American Association of University Professors circulating a petition for an official motion of no-confidence against him.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Brager |first1=Sarah |last2=Rouser |first2=Mason |date=April 25, 2024 |title=Faculty protest student arrests in front of Tower, call for Hartzell resignation |url=https://thedailytexan.com/2024/04/25/faculty-protest-student-arrests-in-front-of-tower-call-for-hartzell-resignation/ |access-date=April 25, 2024 |work=The Daily Texan}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fogel |first=Becky |date=April 26, 2024 |title=More than 200 faculty say they've lost confidence in UT Austin President Jay Hartzell |url=https://www.kut.org/education/2024-04-26/more-than-200-faculty-say-theyve-lost-confidence-in-ut-austin-president-jay-hartzell |access-date=April 26, 2024 |work=KUT News}}</ref> On April 29, the letter was formally delivered to Hartzell with over 500 signatures, including several department chairs and a dean for the College of Liberal Arts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kepner |first=Lily |date=April 29, 2024 |title=500+ faculty members sign letter of no confidence against UT president over protests, DEI |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/education/2024/04/29/ut-austin-protest-pro-palestine-texas-dei-ban-faculty-sign-letter-of-no-confidence-jay-hartzell/73498060007/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=Austin American-Statesman}}</ref> A separate group of at least 165 faculty, including Steve Vladeck, also signed an open letter condemning Hartzell's actions for quelling free speech and endangering the campus community.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Free Speech UTexas |date=April 26, 2024 |title=Open Letter from UT Austin Faculty to President Jay Hartzell Regarding April 24 |url=https://medium.com/@freespeechutexas/open-letter-from-ut-austin-faculty-to-president-jay-hartzell-regarding-april-24-1780732e507c |access-date=April 26, 2024 |website=Medium}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Srivastava |first=Naina |date=April 26, 2024 |title=165 UT faculty sign letter to Hartzell, condemn University's response to pro-Palestine protest |url=https://thedailytexan.com/2024/04/26/165-ut-faculty-sign-letter-to-hartzell-condemn-universitys-response-to-pro-palestine-protest/ |access-date=April 26, 2024 |work=The Daily Texan}}</ref>
A report later released by the UT Austin Committee of Counsel on Academic Freedom and Responsibility (CCAFR) on July 17, 2024, found that UT Austin administrators, under the explicit direction of Hartzell, violated its own institutional rules in clear disregard of freedom of speech and expression protections.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGlinchy |first=Audrey |date=July 31, 2024 |title=UT Austin committee says administrators violated own rules when handling protests |url=https://www.kut.org/education/2024-07-31/ut-austin-committee-of-counsel-on-academic-freedom-and-responsibility-report-pro-palestinian-protests |access-date=August 1, 2024 |work=KUT News}}</ref>
On January 7, 2025, Southern Methodist University announced Hartzell as the next president of the university, ending his tenure with the University of Texas. On February 19, 2025, the University of Texas System's Board of Regents appointed UT Austin's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jim Davis as interim President, effective immediately, ending Hartzell's presidency months earlier than expected.<ref>{{cite news |last=Priest |first=Jessica |last2=McGee |first2=Kate |date=February 19, 2025 |title=UT System names Jim Davis as UT-Austin's interim president |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/19/university-texas-austin-jim-davis/ |access-date=February 19, 2025 |work=The Texas Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=February 19, 2025 |title=Interim president for UT Austin named at UT System regents' meeting |url=https://www.utsystem.edu/news/2025/02/19/interim-president-ut-austin-named-at-ut-system-regents-meeting |access-date=February 19, 2025 |work=The University of Texas System}}</ref>
== Southern Methodist University == Hartzell formally began his tenure at Southern Methodist University on June 1, 2025.
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Southern Methodist University presidents}} {{University of Texas at Austin presidents}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hartzell, Jay}} Category:1973 births Category:American economists Category:American university and college faculty deans Category:Business school deans Category:Living people Category:New York University Stern School of Business faculty Category:Trinity University alumni Category:Presidents of Southern Methodist University Category:University of Texas at Austin alumni Category:University of Texas at Austin faculty