University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) President Jay Hartzell is facing intense criticism from faculty and students for his response to recent protests on campus. Hartzell's decision to call state police to help control the demonstrations has earned both praise and backlash from various stakeholders.

The protests at UT-Austin sparked concerns among university administrators after some protesters expressed their desire to replicate the actions seen at Columbia University and elsewhere. Hartzell, fearing potential encampments and building occupations, called for state police assistance. It was initially assumed that Governor Greg Abbott had deployed the police force, given his vocal opposition to pro-Palestinian protests in other locations. However, it was revealed that Hartzell made the call to prevent UT-Austin from suffering a similar fate.

Republican lawmakers in Texas have commended Hartzell for his swift action, applauding his refusal to cede ground to the protesters. State Representative Jeff Leach called Hartzell the "right man at the right time" and criticized the faculty members who expressed no confidence in Hartzell's protest response as "radical and feckless." Similarly, Representative Cody Harris referred to the student protesters as "snot-nosed, entitled, mindless brats" and praised Hartzell's performance.

UT-Austin's approach to handling the protests has differed from other universities that have faced similar challenges. While protests at other institutions have led to protracted negotiations with students, Hartzell's strategy at UT-Austin has resulted in over 130 arrests but has prevented encampments or building occupations. This approach has earned rare praise from Republican officials, who view it as a bold and effective response.

However, Hartzell's actions have sparked strong opposition from faculty and students. Some accuse him of prioritizing the desires of state leaders over the independence of the university. Protesters gathered outside Hartzell's residence, demanding his resignation and criticizing his handling of the protests. Graduate student Sam Law, who was among those arrested, expressed the anger and frustration felt by many protesters.

In addition to the outcry from students and faculty, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) at UT's Austin chapter published a letter expressing their lack of confidence in Hartzell. Over 600 faculty members signed the letter, citing concerns over Hartzell's management of the protests and his previous actions in banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

The tensions between lawmakers and universities have also been heightened by the protests. Some politicians, such as Republican Representative Tom Oliverson, have supported using the revised tenure law to fire faculty members who attended protests instead of teaching their classes. Others, like Representative Carl Tepper, have expressed concerns about the loyalty of some Texas university students towards the United States.

As the controversy continues, UT-Austin plans to rely on the police to regulate future demonstrations, with another protest scheduled for Sunday. Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife assured that those arrested will be fully prosecuted.

Hartzell's tenure as UT-Austin president, which began in 2020, has been marked by political challenges and attempts to balance the university's priorities with the expectations of state leaders. As protests continue and tensions persist, the controversy surrounding Hartzell's handling of the situation remains unresolved.

Disclosure: The Texas Tribune acknowledges financial support from Northwestern University - Medill School of Journalism, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Austin - McCombs School of Business, and University of Texas at Austin - Texas Enterprise - McCombs School of Business. These entities have no influence over the Tribune's journalism.