Furor Over Ideas From U. of Texas Regents Chair

A memo of ideas from the chairman of the University of Texas Board of Regents has angered many politicians as well as faculty and student leaders. The month-old memo of ideas from Gene Powell was obtained by The Austin American-Statesman. Among other things, the memo suggests that undergraduate enrollment at the flagship campus at Austin be increased by 10 percent a year for four years, and that tuition throughout the UT system be cut in half. Reaction was speedy and negative, with many -- including a leading state senator -- saying that at a time when the university is facing budget cuts, putting these ideas into practice would erode the quality of the university.