UT-Austin to keep “Eyes of Texas”, but to rename buildings

The University of Texas at Austin is making several changes to address racial issues on campus, but it will keep its statue of prominent segregationist James Hogg and continue the tradition of the school spirit song “The Eyes of Texas” despite calls to remove them by various athletes and other student requests.

The university detailed a plan to increase the recruitment and enrollment of black students, while addressing concerns raised by students about some of the university’s names and symbols in a letter shared Monday by Acting President Jay Hartzell, signed jointly by various administrators. Black students comprise approximately 5.1% of UT-Austin’s student body.

Rather than rename, UT-Austin will attempt to educate visitors and students about the “history and context of many of the names that remain,” including the Littlefield Fountain, the statue of Governor Jim Hogg, the Belo Center, and the pedestals at the one that remained a series of statues until 2017. Hartzell said this can be done through plaques and a website.

The university will also allocate a “multi-million dollar investment” of athletic revenue, erect several statues honoring black figures in the university’s history, and rename two campus structures, according to the letter. He no longer specified the amount to be allocated or mentioned which groups would receive money. A university spokesman declined to comment.

These actions follow a list of lawsuits by dozens of student-athletes who refused to participate in recruiting incoming players or appear at donor-related events if university and athletics officials do not respond. These lawsuits included the removal of the Hogg statue, the removal of the alma mater from “Texas Eyes” university, the renaming of campus buildings named after Texans who advocated segregation or had other opinions racist.

Hartzell said the university will keep its fight song in its current form and will work to “reclaim and redefine” the song, which has ties to troubadour shows and was created during the segregation.

“Together, we have the power to define what Texas eyes expect of us, what they demand of us and at what level they support us now,” Hartzell said in the statement. “‘The Eyes of Texas’ must not only unite us, but hold all of us accountable for the core values ​​of our institution. But first we must own history. Only then can we reimagine its future.”

Additionally, athletes asked the university to donate 0.5% of the annual athletic department proceeds to the Black Lives Matter movement and black organizations, set up a permanent display of black athletics history in the Athletics Hall of Fame and rename parts of the soccer stadium after Julius Whittier, the first black soccer player at UT-Austin. The university undertook to erect a statue of Whittier at the soccer stadium instead of renaming parts of the stadium.

The Robert L. Moore Building, named after a former mathematics teacher who was a segregationist and refused to teach black students, was renamed the Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy Building. Historical explanations will be placed in the building as to why previous university leaders chose Moore as their namesake.

The letter stated that the university will honor Heman M. Sweatt, a black man who won the 1950 case that allowed him and other black students to attend college, in various ways, as well as the other first class of college students. blacks.

At the request of his family, Joe Jamail Field will be renamed in honor of former Black Longhorns Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams, who are both winners of the Heisman Trophy.

“We never imagined that this historic site would one day bear our names,” Campbell said in a statement. “The symbolism of this honor transcends the recognition of the Heisman Trophies that we receive. It extends to all students, but specifically to black athletes. “

Williams called the field’s name change a historic moment and urged universities and communities to continue reflecting on and reviewing the history of the symbols and names, according to the statement.

“We request that this name change be an acknowledgment of the achievement of a broad group of people and an ongoing commitment to diverse representation in the University of Texas athletic organization and student body,” it said in the statement. “A new consciousness is emerging and we are honored to be a part of it.”

The university also pledged to refocus its diversity and inclusion plan, recruit diverse faculty members, launch programs to improve or support its black students, and expand its police oversight committee.

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