Introduction 2

- Who Rules the University? 3

Answer: Not You

- UT's Interpretation of the First Amendment 5

Doesn't Bode Well For Students

- Taking Power Seriously: 7

Student Syndicalism at UT

- Tuition: Sky's the Limit 9

- A Brief and Very Partial History of 11

Student Activism at UT

- Student Organizations 14

Get Active

- What every freshman (and senior) 17

should know.

- "Class War" 18

Table of Contents

Hello, welcome to the University of Texas! We're glad to have you

here. UT has traditions and a culture all its own. But you may well be

wondering about the other side of UT - its history, its dark secrets,

and how things really work around here. This guide will help you fill

in the gaps.

UT-Austin is a special place. Go find the George Washington statue on

South Mall. Look south. Just five blocks away you can see the dome of

the state capitol where our elected officials make decisions affecting

all Texans and the University of Texas. Turnaround. You'll be standing

in the shadow of the Tower where UT administrators run the school

largely absent of meaningful democratic input from students, faculty,

and staff. If you want to make a difference in politics and society

while in college, you've come to the right place. Most of the time, UT while in college, you've come to the right place. Most of the time, UT

is bursting with activism, whether it's students running for a place in

Student Government, lobbying at the Capitol, or leading a grassroots

campaign for an issue they care passionately about. We want you to get

involved as quickly as possible if you think that's your cup of tea.

For that reason, we've included a listing of active student groups in

this guide that you can get involved with.

Your four - or five or six - years at UT will go by faster than a

knife fight in a telephone booth, so don't squander all your time with

your head in the books or at the bottom of a beer bottle. Get involved!

And now that you've been oriented, it's time to turn the page and get

(dis)oriented. Hook 'em!

UT Watch is a student-based watchdog group for the University of

Texas at Austin. We promote campus democracy, affordable education, and

genuine access to higher education for all Texans. We resist corporate

control of education, authoritarian decision-making, and misuse of

public money. For more information visit us at: occupyut.org

2012 DISORIENTATION FIELD MANUALUniversity of Texas at Austin

The Regents also oversee the

University of Texas Investment

Management Company (UTIMCO), a

multi-billion dollar taxpayer

funded private investment firm.

UTIMCO was established to keep

tuition and fee rates low for tuition and fee rates low for

UT-Austin. But unfortunately for

students, UTIMCO’s under-

performance was partially

responsible for large tuition increases. Yet the Regents shielded this responsible for large tuition increases. Yet the Regents shielded this

effect from the public eye and continued to blame tuition increases on

forces outside of their control. Today, the Regents still remain insu-

lated from outside input and shut off from the media’s spotlight. The

Governor of Texas appoints them in a mostly secretive process, usually

in exchange for large contributions to political campaigns and close

personal connections. For example, current Chairman Wm. Eugene "Gene"

Powell has donated $113,930 to Rick Perry and Vice Chairman Paul L. Powell has donated $113,930 to Rick Perry and Vice Chairman Paul L.

Foster has donated $388,758.

Since opening its doors in 1883, the

University of Texas has primarily been

run by a tiny group of the governor’s

friends. Although it is a public institution

with around 50,000 students, plus thousands

of faculty and staff members, the University

of Texas remains in the controlling hands of Texas remains in the controlling hands

of a very small number of unelected

Regents and administrators. On top of

leaving out public discussion, the

Regents – and many administrators – have

little to no background in higher

education. The UT Board of Regents is a 9 member board that governs the 9 academic and education. The UT Board of Regents is a 9 member board that governs the 9 academic and

6 health institutions that make up the UT-System. The Regents have complete control

over much of the University’s vital resources; they have ultimate say over tuition

rates, free speech policies, the Daily Texan and other student newspapers, campus

planning and infrastructure, and the hiring, firing, pay, and promotion of faculty and

staff members. In addition, the Regents hold the immense power to directly appoint the

System Chancellor as well as vice chancellors and presidents of each UT-campus.

Who Rules the University?Answer: Not You.

With their collective power, and without student

consent, the UT Regents lobby legislators to pass

University policies. In spring 2003, students from

across the UT System – including members of UT Watch

-- lobbied the Texas Legislature against the decision

to deregulate tuition. Tuition deregulation shifts

tuition-setting authority away from elected lawmakers tuition-setting authority away from elected lawmakers

and gives it to un-elected university governing boards

such as the UT Board of Regents. Despite student

opposition, the UT Regents used paid lobbyists to

push through tuition deregulation. As a result,

this undemocratic system for setting tuition rates has caused tuition to this undemocratic system for setting tuition rates has caused tuition to

skyrocket, confirming students’ predictions and chipping away at Texans’

power to directly control their public institutions.

These nine businesspeople, and their

appointees, run the UT System like a

giant corporation. When only

businesspeople run the University,

students transform into consumers

beholden to market demands – the

quality of education no longer quality of education no longer

matters, students no longer matter,

and public higher education

becomes merely a tool for

money-makers and political climbers. The Regents are thoroughly redemoney-makers and political climbers. The Regents are thoroughly rede-

fining public higher education in corporate terms and there is no

sign that this will change. Students, staff, and faculty have never

had representation on the board, and hardly anyone but administrators

are allowed to formally address the Regents. A bill passed in Spring

2005 put a non voting student on the Board of Regents, who has no in-

fluence. Some students, refusing to be intimidated, have begun the

fight to regain control of our University. Join them, stay informed,

and demand that the University work for you!

UT's Interpretation of the First AmendmentDoesn't Bode Well For StudentsBy Dominique Cambou

Student movements have always faced difficult but important choices when con-

fronting those people and institutions that claim to represent and embody their in-

terests. Are faculty appropriate individuals to connect with when opposing the Uni-

versity? What about staff, especially those who epitomize the bureaucratic face of

the University of Texas? Does student government provide an effective outlet for

student voice? These issues have a long history at UT and have played themselves

out in the specific battles fought over affirmative action, free speech, corporate

involvement, staff wages and the Sodexho campaign, just to name a few.

But at the core of these choices lies the broad-based problem of decision-making

and control. Perhaps just as important as specific issues leveled against the Uni-

versity is the larger issue of who provides the answer to questions that affect the

daily lives of students. Carl Davidson, one of the more influential members of the

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organization in the 60s, published an essay

that attempted to review the problem of student power and decisions. "The New Radi-

cals in the Multiversity" argued for a "student syndicalism" that modeled itself on

labor syndicalism. The basic idea is that instead of fighting for small reforms

through the usual channels of representative bodies, students should demand more

direct control over decision-making. Universities have always declared themselves

to be pillars of democratic societies, where students play a vital role in the for-

mation of social will and the exchange of knowledge. Syndicalism pushes that idea

to its necessary conclusion, which would drastically alter the structure of the

university and begin to place power in the hands of those who have desired it for a

long lime.

Don't be mistaken. This would require quite a fight. The university body and its

proxies such as the Board of Regents, Student Government, and some of the faculty

and staff will most likely be up in arms (literally!) to defend "right" to repre-

sent you. No longer should students settle for bargaining, compromise and temporary

reform. The fact that student syndicalism models itself from labor struggles is no

coincidence. Davidson and others were right to argue that the university system is

not only like a factory, but is a factory that efficiently creates productive work-

ers with little control over their conditions and environment. The absurd and dis-

abling influx of corporate influence on UT is all too apparent. We have departments

up for sale to the highest bidder, "applied research" carried out for powerful in-

terests, and-worst of all, perhaps - a Board of Regents that is almost entirely oc-

cupied by the wealthy elite in Texas with the same political leanings.

TAKING POWER SERIOUSLY:Student Syndicalism at UT

Every student should be concerned with this situation. Demanding more

and compromising less does not mean that reforms and concessions

should be rejected, but that those steps must be considered in a

larger vision of decentralizing authority. At stake is nothing less

that the future of democratic participation both at UT and society at

large. Once the daily lives of students are decided by the students

themselves, there is almost unlimited potential for the creative and

powerful force that the student body can seize.powerful force that the student body can seize.

Eventually, the Texas Attorney General ruled that the so-called "infrastructure

fee" was illegal. Nonetheless, UT pursued a different route to get what it

wanted. Over the objections of student activists and the student governments of

multiple UT campuses, UT pushed for "tuition deregulation" in 2003 - and won, but

barely. Tuition deregulation removed the control of setting tuition from elected

officials in the Texas Legislature and handed it over to the UT Regents, the un-

elected and unaccountable ruling body of the UT System [see pages 3-4 for more on

the Regents]. Students objected to this move because they warned that it would the Regents]. Students objected to this move because they warned that it would

immediately lead to drastic tuition hikes and was fundamentally undemocratic.

Consequently, as previously mentioned, tuition at UT-Austin went up 37 percent

and 17 percent statewide. UT administrators got what they wanted but only because

the powerful leadership in the Legislature finagled a deal at the 11th hour. In

short, UT students almost won the day, demonstrating their collective political

power, but were thwarted by the short-sightedness of UT administrators, paid lob-

byists, and certain elected leaders.

After tuition deregulation, the administration set up a dog and pony show

method for collecting “student input” regarding tuition. The Tuition Policy Advi-

sory Committee was created at UT and made up of a few admins and handpicked stu-

dent government puppets. By putting student reps on the committee like the stu-

dent body president, the administration can get away with saying students were

involved. The committee holds forums during the fall semester and regardless of

student input recommends what ever orders come down from the Regents who make the

final decision in the Spring semester.

In 2011 Gov. Perry called for public higher ed institutions to provide an

entire 4 year degree, books included, for $10,000. During the 2011 session the UT

System presidents were asked if it was possible to provide a quality 4 year

degree for $10,000 and each president said no. This hasn't stopped the Regents

from implementing the Governors agenda, UT Permian Basin will be providing a

$10,000 program. The reality is that cost were not cut, only the quality of your

degree. A degree at that cost means online education. As the state continues to

shrink UT's funding, it provides the justification to privatize more parts of the shrink UT's funding, it provides the justification to privatize more parts of the

university. Soon entire schools will be outsourced under the guise of budget cuts

and efficiency. Right-wing think tanks such as the Texas Public Policy Foundation

advocate for privatization and neo-liberal policies, but did you also know, TPPF

members like Jeff Sandefer run private universities like the Acton School of

Business which provides, you guessed it, a $10,000 degree. Jeff use to teach at

the McCombs School of Business in 2006 but left when the school went the route of

using tenure track professors. That meant him and his colleagues wouldn't be able using tenure track professors. That meant him and his colleagues wouldn't be able

to advance, so they left UT and started their own school and are trying to priva-

tize Texas higher ed so they can cash in on our education.

Each semester, students get their tuition bill and probably ask themselves,

"Isn't this a lot more than last year?" It's easy to sigh, pay the amount, and

concentrate on getting out before a year of school costs more than a luxury car.

However, if students and their parents say, "Enough is enough," we can make col-

lege affordable and accessible for everyone once again. We must demand state and

federal funding for public universities and community colleges; we must demand

financial aid for any and all students who are qualified; and we must demand a

more democratic system of governance at universities so that our voices are heard more democratic system of governance at universities so that our voices are heard

on these issues.

A Brief and Very Partial History of Student Activism at UT

Student OrganizationsGet Active

What every freshman (and senior) should know.

The table is set and

The candles are lit and

The wine has been chilled...

All preparations for the feast are finalized.

But who's been invited?

And who's done the inviting?

The invitations are fewThe invitations are few

And the people are many.

RSVP

If you want to attend

But you'd better

Know someone who'll let you in.

When there's a knock on the door

The Host startles from his seat The Host startles from his seat

Cocks his head and his gun

And calls out to the door "There's room for no more!"

Outside the gates

The people throw rocks.

Their aim is the feast

Where pigeons flock

To eat the crumbsTo eat the crumbs

That bloated bellies

Couldn't hold.

and inside it's cigars and politics

and how the people must be contained

(AT ANY COST!)

The feast lies rotting in the butler's hands

As he stands stock-stillAs he stands stock-still

And listens to the whiz of midnight

Rocks clatter against the gate,

Angry dispatches from the uninvited,

He toasts the sound with

Some stale champagne

Takes off his white gloves

And says amen...And says amen...

"Class War"By Forrest Wilder