UT Austin Update: Water Sustainability Innovation, AI & Microelectronics Advances, Leadership Changes, DEI Shifts, and Campus News

Good afternoon, Longhorns! It's Monday, August 4th, and here's what's happening at the University of Texas at Austin. Currently, it's partly sunny with a temperature of 76 degrees. As the day progresses, expect intermittent clouds with temperatures reaching up to 97 degrees by mid-afternoon. Stay hydrated and take precautions against the heat. *Water Sustainability Initiative* UT Austin is taking a significant step toward water conservation with the development of the WaterHub, a 9,600-square-foot facility set to be the largest of its kind at a U.S. university. Scheduled to be operational by fall 2027, the WaterHub will reclaim up to 1 million gallons of wastewater daily, aiming to reduce the campus's reliance on Austin's municipal water supply. This initiative not only addresses environmental concerns but also provides a hands-on research laboratory for students and faculty to explore water treatment and reuse technologies. *Leadership Changes in Campus Operations* Amanda Barber, who has been serving as interim Executive Director of Campus Operations, will be leaving her role on March 5 to join Southwestern University in Georgetown as Associate Vice President of Facilities. The university acknowledges her dedication and service during the past year and a half and wishes her the best in her new position. *New AI Institute for Cosmic Discovery* The University of Texas at Austin has been selected to lead a new institute that harnesses artificial intelligence to explore some of the leading mysteries of the universe, including dark matter and the fundamentals related to the search for life. Housed in UT’s Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, the NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins will be funded by the National Science Foundation and the Simons Foundation. *Advancements in Microelectronics* UT Austin has been awarded $840 million to build a facility for manufacturing the next generation of microelectronics used in Department of Defense systems. This substantial investment underscores the university's pivotal role in advancing national defense technologies. *Changes in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs* In compliance with the state's anti-DEI law, SB17, UT Austin has sent layoff notices to an estimated 60 staff members who previously worked in diversity, equity, and inclusion roles. The university is redirecting funds from DEI initiatives to teaching and research. Affected staff members have been given a 90-day layoff notice and will have the opportunity to apply for other open positions at UT Austin. *Student Response to DEI Changes* Following the reduction in DEI staff and resources, student organizations are actively fundraising to maintain support services. Groups like the Afrikan American Affairs board have transitioned to registered student organizations, seeking external funding to continue programs such as New Black Student Weekend and cultural graduation ceremonies. *New Basketball Coach Contract* The University of Texas System Board of Regents has approved a six-year, $32 million guaranteed contract for new Longhorns basketball coach Sean Miller. Miller, formerly of Xavier and Arizona, will start with a $4.8 million salary for the 2025-26 season, increasing by $200,000 annually. He also received a $250,000 relocation bonus and could earn up to $850,000 in annual performance-based bonuses. *Texas Science & Natural History Museum Reopening* After extensive renovations, the Texas Science & Natural History Museum reopened on September 23, 2023. Located on campus, the museum focuses on natural history, including paleontology, geology, biology, herpetology, ichthyology, and entomology. That's all for today's update. Stay cool, stay informed, and Hook 'em Horns!