Admissions committee presents briefing; McRaven to present proposed admissions policy to Regents in August

AUSTIN – Chancellor William H. McRaven publicly thanked distinguished committee members on Thursday for serving on a panel to review and make recommendations on admissions practices at academic institutions across The University of Texas System.

McRaven formed the committee in February, saying his goal is to determine the degree of appropriate discretion at the institution level, while ensuring a fair and transparent process for applicants.

McRaven chose higher education leaders, all of whom have vast experience and have held highly prominent positions. Committee members included:

  • Former UT Austin President Larry Faulkner
  • Former UT Austin President Peter Flawn
  • Former UT Austin President and former UT System Chancellor William Cunningham
  • Former UT System Chancellor Mark Yudof (also former provost at UT Austin, former president of The University of Minnesota and former president of The University of California System)
  • Former UT System Chancellor Dan Burck
  • Former UT System Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Pedro Reyes, ex officio

Faulkner provided a briefing on the committee’s work to the UT System Board of Regents on Thursday. The committee’s findings will inform McRaven as he develops a system-wide admissions policy with guidance and input from academic institution presidents and Steve Leslie, UT System executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. McRaven will also consider recommendations offered earlier this year by Kroll Associates in a review of admissions practices at UT Austin and recommendations from a 2014 UT System-produced report commissioned by former Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa.

McRaven said he plans to bring proposed changes to the UT System’s admissions policy to the Board of Regents in August.

“We are very fortunate to benefit from the experience and deep knowledge of those that graciously agreed to serve on this committee. I am truly grateful for the time and diligence they’ve devoted to this important issue” McRaven said. “This good work, and the recommendations previously offered by Kroll and the UT System’s own report, will be invaluable as I work with our presidents to craft a policy that ensures transparency and fairness in the admissions process.”

About The University of Texas System

Educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking research and serving the needs of Texans and the nation for more than 130 years, The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States, with nine academic universities, six health institutions and an enrollment of more than 213,000. The UT System confers more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees, educates two-thirds of the state’s health care professionals annually and accounts for almost 70 percent of all research funds awarded to public universities in Texas. The UT System has an annual operating budget of $15.6 billion (FY 2015) including $3 billion in sponsored programs funded by federal, state, local and private sources. With about 90,000 employees, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.