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,

University of Texas Austin President Jay Hartzell is leaving his position to become the next president of Southern Methodist University. He begin that position on June 1.

University of Texas President Jay Hartzell is leaving his post atop one of the state's most influential public schools and will join Southern Methodist University (SMU) as its next leader. The SMU Board of Trustees unanimously voted to name Hartzell its next president,