Statement from Chairman Powell and Chancellor Cigarroa on the Feb. 3 Special Called Board Meeting

We are first and foremost concerned with the safety, health and well-being of our students on all fifteen UT campuses and wherever they travel under the auspices of our institutions. As a result, it was with great disappointment and sadness that we learned a short time ago about the reprimand given in February of 2009 to one of the assistant football coaches employed by UT Austin for inappropriate conduct during the football team's trip to the Fiesta Bowl in January 2009.

At our direction, the General Counsel to the Board has posted notice of a special called meeting of the Board on Sunday afternoon, February 3rd, so that the Board can be fully briefed on issues related to this matter in executive session.

We expect our coaches to adhere to the highest standards of conduct and lead by example. However, until such time as the Board can fully understand the background surrounding this event and its moral and legal implications, we will have no further public comment.