July 8, 2014

Dr. Francisco Cigarroa

Chancellor
University of Texas System
601 Colorado Street, 4th Floor
Austin, TX 78701
Dear Chancellor Cigarroa,
As student leaders at The University of Texas at Austin, we have been alarmed by the recent media attention regarding your
ultimatum delivered to President Powers. Nevertheless, we feel compelled to come together to share our concerns and we ap-
preciate your willingness to listen. The seventeen student leaders and their organizations represented in this letter collectively
represent diverse parts of campus and have histories that stretch even further. Collectively our organizations consist of over
11,000 students, and together our impact reaches every inch of campus as we represent the 52,000 students that call the Forty
Acres home.
First and foremost, we believe that students deserve to be involved in decisions, which so drastically alter the landscape of our
educational experience. The students are the lifeblood of the university but the timing of these conversations involving Pres-
ident Powers, which have occurred during the summer and were brought to light on a holiday, make it difcult for students to
voice their concerns in any representative manner. As you know, President Powers receives widespread support from students
on our campus. Despite this poor timing for students, we were able to create a petition, which has accumulated 12, 660 signa-
tures and counting since the fourth of July.
Throughout his tenure as President of The University of Texas at Austin, President Powers has proven his commitment to a high
standard of education, guided his policies with a genuine belief in exploration and expression, and, most importantly, possessed
the fortitude to ght for students, staf, and faculty tirelessly in the face of undue pressure and political maneuvering. With Pres-
ident Powers strong leadership, UT-Austin has advanced as a University of the rst class and has made great progress towards
becoming the nations foremost research institution.
As you know, President Powers is currently leading a $3 billion fundraising campaign, representing our university as the Chair-
man of the Association of American Universities (AAU), and also preparing for the upcoming legislative session. There is no
doubt that the legislative session will be a critical time for our university and will require the guidance of an experienced leader
who is knowledgeable about UT-Austin. At this time, his removal would not only harm the students, faculty, and staf, but also
harm the legacy and integrity of this great university. We believe this rapid change is not in the best interest of the University.
President Powers still has work to do.
We want to make our position very clear. Please, do not re President Powers in haste, but instead, work with him in determin-
ing a transition timeline for his resignation. An appropriate time for his resignation will be after the legislative session. It is the
judicious choice. Students, faculty, and alumni are hoping for your cooperation.
Thank you for your time, and remember the Eyes of Texas are upon you.
Sincerely,
Kornel Kori Rady
Student Body President
Geetika Jerath
President, Senate of College Councils
David Villarreal
President, Graduate Student Assembly
Braydon K. Jones
Speaker, Student Government Assembly
Nicole Kruijs
Abbot, Friar Society
Thomas J. Rhea
Foreman, Texas Cowboys
John Cotton
President, Silver Spurs
Kenton B. Wilson
Xinesi, Tejas Club
Nancy Bonds
President, Orange Jackets
Neal Makkar
Chairman, Texas Blazers
Thomas Grothouse
Edwin Qian
President, Interfraternity Council (IFC)
Megan Hinojosa
President, University Panhellenic Council (UPC)
Nishant Jayant
President, Texas Roundtable
Rachel Cohen
President, University Residence Hall Association
Amy Nabozny
President, College Republicans
Max Patterson
President, University Democrats
CC: The Honorable Rick Perry, Governor of Texas
The Honorable David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor of Texas
The Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker Texas House of Representatives
Members, UT System Board of Regents
President William C. Powers, Jr.
Vice President of Student Afairs Gage E. Paine
Dean of Students Soncia Reagins-Lilly