In recent years university presidents have been facing growing political pressures, student and faculty pushback and an increasingly demanding job.

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

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.

As regents prepare to replace the top leader, faculty ask to be involved in the process and students say they hope a new leader will prioritize them.