Contact: Anthony de Bruyn, (512) 499-4363

Date: September 22, 2004

UT System News Release

Interim Vice Chancellor and General Counsel is Appointed

AUSTIN – Steven R. Collins, associate vice chancellor for governmental relations for the University of Texas System, has been named interim vice chancellor and general counsel by Chancellor Mark G. Yudof. The appointment is effective Oct. 1.

“Steve has a long and distinguished career in public service," said Chancellor Yudof. "I am confident in his abilities and am grateful that he has agreed to serve in this very important role."

Collins succeeds former vice chancellor and general counsel Cullen M. (Mike) Godfrey, who announced his resignation effective Sept. 30.

As interim vice chancellor and general counsel, Collins will lead an office of some two dozen attorneys who work on legal topics as diverse as intellectual property, real estate, environmental law, tax law, oil and gas law, and medical liability. Collins will also coordinate and assist in litigation provided by the state attorney general and outside counsel, and serve as the UT System's chief ethics adviser.

Collins joined the UT System in February after retiring from the position of chief legislative counsel and executive director for the Texas Legislative Council. He served at the legislative council for more than 28 years.

He received a bachelor's degree in government and a doctorate of law degree from UT Austin.

Yudof announced that a search has begun for a permanent vice chancellor and general counsel.

The UT System has 15 campuses, including nine academic and six health institutions, and an annual operating budget of $8.5 billion (FY 2005). Student enrollment is projected to exceed 185,000 students in the 2004 academic year. The UT System confers one-third of the state's undergraduate degrees and educates three-fourths of the state's health care professionals annually. With more than 87,000 employees, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.

UT System News: Vice Chancellor and General Counsel Resigns (9/17/04)

UT System News: Dallas Attorney Named Vice Chancellor and General Counsel (10/2/00)

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