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In 'Weird' Austin, a Double Shot of Academic Counter-Revolution

The University of Texas's civic leadership program and the new University of Austin startup recently concluded their inaugural academic year and are planning to expand their offerings this fall.
These initiatives emerged amid a national movement aiming to revive classical liberal education as an alternative to prevailing trends in higher education that emphasize DEI, social justice activism, and careerism.
The UT program, called SCL, received $6 million in initial funding from the Texas legislature and Board of Regents, along with an additional $20 million in donations from benefactors such as Crow and Rowling. Meanwhile, UATX has amassed funding exceeding $200 million contributed by a donor base of upwards of 3,000 individuals, including a $35 million gift from Jeff Yass.
UT's Faculty Council narrowly approved SCL's Civics Honors major by a 23 to 21 vote, and faculty describe their curricula as nonpartisan, centered on America's founding principles and Western Civilization, featuring courses heavy on Supreme Court rulings and 'close reading' of texts.
Both institutions must fulfill backers' expectations by attracting competitive students, producing impactful scholarship, establishing durable programs, and navigating the lengthy accreditation process while facing skepticism from entrenched academic interests.

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