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.

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,

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

University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell will step down from the flagship this spring to serve as the next leader of Southern Methodist University.