UT makes sweeping changes in response to athletes’ requests, but maintains’ The Eyes of Texas’

In response to requests from Texas soccer players, university officials announced radical changes Monday to address UT’s racial landscape, but the school is not changing the school song “The Eyes of Texas.”

The school addressed almost all requests submitted by members of the UT soccer team, such as renaming Robert Lee Moore Hall. UT will permanently honor Heman M. Sweatt as UT’s first black student and will allocate a “multi-million dollar” investment in UT athletics to programs “that work to recruit, attract, retain, and support black students.”

The school will erect a statue of Julius Whittier, UT’s first black football player, at the Royal-Memorial Stadium and rename Joe Jamail Field to honor UT Heisman Trophy winners Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams. Jamail, a talkative Texas attorney, was one of UT’s biggest benefactors until his death in 2015. His family made the request, UT officials said.

The school will also honor Pioneers, the first black college students at UT, with a new memorial on the East Mall. This adds to the expansion of UT’s presence in major Texas cities “to better recruit outstanding students from of underrepresented groups. “

But changing the school’s centennial song was a highlight with thousands of UT students, alumni, and headlines from across the country in June.

The university announced that it “will possess, recognize and teach all aspects of ‘The Eyes of Texas’ origins as we continue to sing with a redefined vision that unites our community.”

Texas officials have never tried to hide that “The Eyes” originated in the early 1900s and was performed at juggler shows by white-on-black artists. The school story version has always been improved to the best of its ability. Full teaching of the history of the song is taught in the school’s African American studies programs.

“Texas Eyes” is traditionally sung before and after every sporting event and at most school functions. The tune, established with the historic black work song “I’ve been working on the railroad,” is one of the most recognized school songs in college sports.

Texas players have never been formally forced to stand on the field and sing the lyrics, school officials said. In the future, players who don’t want to stay on the field may head to the locker room before the post-game song.

Various student groups have been pushing for changes in UT’s racial landscape for years. Once the UT soccer team marched to the State Capitol in June and issued a series of “requests,” the movement went into hyperdrive.

Texas Acting President Jay Hartzell conducted what he called a “listening tour” with various groups around campus. Hartzell and athletic director Chris Del Conte met with the UT soccer team in the practice bubble to hear from them directly.

Last week, Hartzell met with presidents of black student groups on campus and members of the black faculty.

“Over the past month, I have listened to many students,” Hartzell said in a statement. “I entered these conversations understanding that UT has worked hard to become a more diverse and welcoming place.

“I came out of them realizing that there is still more work to be done, and this begins and ends with creating an environment in which students receive full support before, during and after their time at UT,” he added.

Hartzell said the goal of the change is shared by the UT System Board of Regents and Chancellor Kevin Eltife.

As for “The Eyes,” Hartzell wrote in a letter to campus that he will remain UT’s alma mater. “Aspects of its origin, whether widely known or unknown, have created a rift in the way the song is understood and celebrated, and that needs to be corrected,” Hartzell said. “I think we can effectively reclaim and redefine what this song represents by first possessing and acknowledging its story in an open and transparent way.

“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 added. “’The Eyes of Texas’ must not only unite us, but also make us responsible for the core values ​​of our institution. But first we must be masters of history. Only then can we reimagine their future, and I look forward to partnering with our campus community to do just that. ”

On the campus side, many have called for the move to RLM Hall, home to UT’s mathematics, physics, and astronomy departments. Moore, who died in 1974, was a UT mathematics professor who once refused to teach black students and favored segregation.

Sweatt, who grew up in Houston, was denied admission to UT law school due to segregation laws. Sweatt filed a lawsuit in 1946 that eventually reached the Supreme Court, which said that UT would have to admit black students. He enrolled in classes in September 1950.

The Heman M. Sweatt entrance will be located at TS Painter Hall. An important space within the building will be dedicated to telling Sweatt’s story.

But the university is not changing everything. UT plans to “educate” campus visitors about the context of current buildings such as the Littlefield Fountain, the statue of Governor Jim Hogg, the Belo Center, and the pedestals on which a series of controversial statues were placed until 2017.

UT also plans to expand the campus police department’s oversight committee and refocus the university’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan that was launched in 2017.

“It is a great day to be a Longhorn, I want to thank the students, athletes, administration, alumni and those behind the scenes who made this happen,” UT security officer Caden Sterns tweeted after the announcement. . “I hope to make more positive changes on campus. Hook’Em.

Texas coach Tom Herman not only allowed his players to play a role in campus activism, but encouraged him. Now, several Longhorns, such as Sterns, cornerback Josh Thompson and others, will have his name tied to a significant moment at the University of Texas, now at 136.^th year.

“Very proud of our players, all of the Texas student athletes, our entire student population, and the university leadership,” Herman tweeted. “They will always be known for being responsible for tangible and positive change on our great campus. Today is a great first step. #Hookem. “

Contact Brian Davis at 512-445-3957. Email [email protected].

RELATED STORIES

June 4: ‘That can be me’: Texas players march to the State Capitol with a higher purpose, to raise awareness of inequality

June 12: In a show of unity and strength, Texas athletes call for changes to address UT’s racial past, future

June 12: A story from ‘The Eyes of Texas’: the song performed in minstrel shows is now part of UT’s daily life