University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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■ r..!!!] H. y. BENEDICT President, The University of Texas PRESIDENT The President of the University is the expert adviser and responsible agent of the Board of Regents, and the chief executive of the University. He is held responsible by the Board of Regents for the execution of its policies, and his discretionary powers are broad enough to enable him to meet his extensive responsibility. All officers, teachers, and employees are responsible to and under the direction of the President, and all communication betvv ' een them and the Board of Regents relating to the Uni- versity passes through his hands with any endorsement he deems necessary to make. All vacancies are filled temporarily by the President, and he has the power to recom- mend to the Board of Regents persons suitable to fill positions, hie takes care of emergencies arising between meetings of the Board of Regents. The President appoints all faculty committees and is a member and ex-officio chairman of the general faculty and of the faculties of each school. The President attends all meetings of the Board of Regents and follows its directions in any particular matter, but the Board does not undertake to direct the details of his executive action, and the President acts with perfect freedom within the lines of the general policies laid down by the Board. At a regular meeting of the Board of Regents he presents an annual report of all departments, together with estimates and recommendations for the succeeding year. President H. Y. Benedict received his Bachelor of Scienc e degree from the Uni- versity in 1892, and became connected with the University in 1899, after having taken a degree of Doctor of Philosophy from hiarvard in 1898. He has risen successively from adjunct professor to President, having intermediately held the offices of Director of Extension and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition to the multi- tudinous duties of these various offices. President Benedict has acted as chairman of the discipline, athletic, and many other faculty committees, which calls for executive ability and a keen understanding of the conditions at the University. !ir- Page i;

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MIRIAM A. FERGUSON Governor, the State of Texas GOVERNOR The Governor, as head of the State, is necessarily intrusted with all-encompassing powers in reference to The University of Texas. The University, as a State institution, is properly placed under the control of the Governor and the Legislature. The full powers of either are seldom felt by its personnel, but these powers remain the funda- mental ones, and if exercised in a negative manner are readily discerned by all. Among the duties of the Governor, and concomitantly among the Governor ' s rights, are the nominations, to be confirmed by the Senate, of persons to fill vacancies on the Board of Regents of the University, the governing body of the school. At least three vacancies occur each biennium, and by death or resignation more may occur. The Governor also nominates, subject to the confirmation of the Senate, members of the State Board of Control and the State Board of Education. The Board of Control is charged with the preparation of a biennial appropriation budget for the State. The needs of the University are included in this budget. After preparation by the Board of Control, this budget is submitted to the Governor, who may alter it as she sees fit. The Governor then submits the budget to the Legislature with recommendations of the appropriation she deems necessary. This recommendation may be accepted or rejected by the Legislature. But after adoption by the Legislature the Governor still has the right of veto, wholly or in part, of the budget. If bills affecting the University are enacted by the Legislature, they must be acceptable to the Governor before becoming effective. It is readily seen that through the exer- cise of various rights and pursuance of duties delegated by the Constitution, the Governor, through the prerogatives of appointment, veto, and budget-making, indi- rectly controls the government and administration of the University. Page 14

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BOARD OF REGENTS The government of The University of Texas is vested in the Board of Regents, composed of nine members appointed by the Governor of Texas. At four annual meetings and at necessary special meetings the Board of Regents transacts the business of the University. It is given the pov er to determine all University policies, subj ect only to Federal and State constitutions and lav s. A member of the Board can be removed from office only for causes enumerated by the Legislature under quo warranto proceedings. The Board of Regents has the power to establish the departments of a first class university; determine the offices and pro- fessorships; appoint a president, who shall, if they think it advisable, also discharge the duties of professor. T hey also appoint the professors and other officers, and fix their respective salaries. They may enact such by-laws, rules, and regula- tions as may be necessary for the successful management and government of the University. They have power to regulate the course of instruction and prescribe, with the advice of the professors, the books and authorities used in the several departments, and to confer such degrees as are usually granted by universities. They have the power to remove any professor, tutor, or other officer connected with the institution, when in their judgment the inter- est of the University shall require it. In short, the Board of Regents is the ultimate authority in all things connected with the University. They are limited only by the federal Constitution and the State government. To them can be given much credit for the present high rank of The University of Texas. The chairman of the Board of Regents is Beauford H. Jester. The other members are John T. Scott, L. J. Sulak, Chas. I. Francis, Edward Randall, Leslie Waggener, K. hi. Aynesworth, hi. J. Lutcher Stark, and H. H. Weinert. The most important activity of the Board in the past few years, the building program, is now nearly completed. When the new Main Building is finished another great chapter in the University history will be at an end. ,nserl, BEAUFORD H. JESTER, Chairman Top Row; Francis, Randall, Wassener, Scott, Sulak Bottom Row; Vount, Weinert, Stark, Aynesworth, Jester Page i6