I remember vividly the fumbling incompetence and nails-on-the-chalkboard tension of the first days of the Thames presidency. Reading this article made me realize just how bad he has been, and how much better it could be.
Daily Texan, February 2, 2006
Bill Powers began the first day of his term as president of the University by fixing a small plate with two slivers of pineapple, a sausage biscuit, a cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice. He pokes at the biscuit on his plate but only manages to swallow two gulps of orange juice before immersing himself in a discussion with the University's deans. He tells the deans his vision for the University.
His glass remains half-full throughout the meeting.
"You are my friends and the academic leaders on campus," Powers tells the group of deans, who just two months ago were his peers. LBJ School of Public Affairs Interim Dean Robert Inman smiles at the comment.
Powers's speech runs through his belief in the importance of academics to the University's health. His hand gestures in small circles as he speaks.
"I've got views personally, but together we have to have a vision," he says.
His first business is clarifying to the inquisitive deans that he had to pick up his own set of keys to the presidential office.
"I'm glad they checked my ID," he says. "I don't want them just handing out keys to my office."
When one of the deans arrives late to a full table, Powers immediately grabs a vacant chair and offers it to her.
Finding his way
In his five years as law school dean, Powers says he dealt with legislators on many occasions. This is one of the main qualifications the UT System Board of Regents cited in appointing Powers president.
He walks briskly through the rotunda area on the first floor of the Texas Capitol, on his way to a meeting with House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland.
"I think it's this way," he says to accompanying staff members.
Powers arrives at Craddick's office for a private, informal meeting, commencing his presidential dealings with the Legislature.
Former UT President Larry Faulkner cited the wear and tear of the legislative sessions as a major reason for his resignation.
Both Craddick and Powers agree that the top 10 percent rule needs to be reworked.
"I think it needs to be repealed," Craddick said in a separate interview. "Use of the top 10 percent rule has brought our state down in the rankings."
Powers has said that one focal point of his administration will be looking at alternatives to admitting all students in the top 10 percent of their graduating class. Powers said he wants to improve recruitment and achieve a more culturally diverse student body.
Assessing their 10-minute meeting, Craddick describes Powers as impressive and enthusiastic.
UT System Chancellor Mark Yudof and Board of Regents Chairman James Huffines are in the office preparing for their own meeting with Craddick.
"Mr. President, it feels good to call you that," Huffines says, giving Powers a hug.
Yudof first worked with Powers in the 1970s when they both taught at the law school.
Gov. Rick Perry can't help but mock Powers' burnt-orange tie. Since the Rose Bowl dust has settled, Perry said he has returned to defending his Texas A&M roots.
"I'll make many mistakes today, but not wearing a burnt-orange tie isn't going to be one of them," Powers said in response. He looks at Perry with the same directness that is characteristic of his listening style.
In Powers' morning meeting with the faculty council, the president discusses his commitment to the University's academic standards.
Before becoming president, he chaired the Task Force on Curricular Reform, which released its report in October. Recommendations included cultural enrichment courses for freshmen and sophomores and a "University College," which would establish the undergraduate core curriculum and run academic advising for freshmen.
Cale McDowell, chair of the Senate of College Councils, says he and other task force members are hopeful that Powers' presidency will focus more attention on curriculum reform.
Powers and students
Powers meets with about 14 students to eat lunch in Jester's second floor dining hall.
"I don't want to hear any more complaining about the food here," Powers says looking at his plate of chicken, rice, pasta and salad. He eyes his glass of lemonade.
"It looks great," he says.
Powers listens and encourages the students as they tell him their majors, classifications and hometowns. He describes his own undergraduate experience at the University of California at Berkeley. During this time, he had difficulty figuring out what he wanted to do with life, he says.
"People would ask me what I wanted to do with my life, and I would make something up," Powers says. No one eats while he talks. He also addresses curriculum reform and his desire for all students to graduate within four years.
"We know it's hard to get into some classes, and we're working on it," he says, addressing a concern voiced by several students.
He declines a piece of chocolate cake offered by one of the three chemistry majors sitting next to him.
Powers also assures the students that next year's football team will have "outstanding talent." The table of about 16 people exchanges Rose Bowl stories for 15 minutes.
"He absolutely related to us, which sometimes you feel is not going to happen," says political communications senior Katherine Shanley.
Biochemistry and pre-med sophomore Xuyen Phan says Powers created a friendly, comfortable environment. It really helped hearing his own stories of undergraduate confusion, she says.
Looking ahead
Multicultural Information Center Director Brenda Burt says Powers has already shown his desire to increase campus diversity.
"He didn't have to come to our office like he did today," she said. "When somebody comes to your office and says 'I want to work with you,'I usually take them up on it."
Others also praised Powers' first-day performance.
"He's incredibly jocular," Graduate Student Assembly Co-Chair Jessica Geier says. "Powers' personality allows for the door to remain open."
As his day nears 5 p.m., Powers cups a glass of red wine in his right hand. Meeting with Staff Council members, he switches hands quickly, using his right hand to gesture and his left to hold the drink, which he rarely sipped.
"I think I'll have one of those shrimp, and I won't double dip," Powers says, pointing at a bowl of shrimp and cocktail sauce.
Powers says his office view of the South Mall reminds him of his responsibility to the University. His careful attention to detail was evident in many of his mannerisms.
Notably, Powers has said the word "candid" at least 37 times throughout the day.
"I consciously try to be candid," he says. "We can disagree on issues and still work together."
"I think I'll have one of those shrimp, and I won't double dip," Powers says, pointing at a bowl of shrimp and cocktail sauce.
Double dip? Sounds like Bill Powers is a fan of Seinfeld episode #59.
Timmy: Did-- Did you just double-dip that chip? George: Excuse me? Timmy: You double dipped the chip! George: Double-dipped? What are you talking about? Timmy: You took the chip, you took a bite... and you dipped again. George: So? Timmy: That's like putting your whole mouth right in the dip.