UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy publicly endorsed the proposed Sports and Entertainment district on his X account @PresidentEighmy on Oct. 10.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our San Antonio community. I strongly support the Sports & Entertainment District concept,” Eighmy said in his post.
“I encourage members of our community to be fully informed as they vote on these two propositions (A&B) this November. The data shared here are valuable sources of information. Please continue to be informed and vote!”
A UT San Antonio faculty member raised concern about Eighmy’s public endorsement of Project Marvel.
“The president’s statement appears to violate guidance issued by the university’s own government relations office regarding both employee use of social media and the use of UTSA affiliation to attempt to influence the outcome of an election,” the faculty member stated.
The Political Activities and Institutional Guidelines identifies a section covering the use of social media as faculty at UT San Antonio. Updated on Sept. 23, under the use of social media, it states that, “Professional platforms identifying your affiliation with our institution and university warrant extra diligence as it relates to the sharing of personal opinions or reposting of other’s opinions or comments. All social media accounts related to or managed by the institution must adhere to the policy and procedures outlined here and conform to institutional guidelines and professional standards.”
Eighmy’s X account, @PresidentEighmy, does identify him as a UT San Antonio administrator. “6th President of The University of Texas at San Antonio,” is included in the bio, and the account links to Eighmy’s page on the UT San Antonio website.
The Political Activities and Institutional Guidelines, which abides by Chapter 556 of Texas Government Code, states that “employees may not use [their] official authority, position, title or university programs to influence or interfere with an election or for any political purpose.
“If anyone were to violate these provisions, it would result in a termination or [withholding] of salary.”
UT San Antonio holds a stake in the proposed project as the university plans to expand the downtown campus and looks to sell the property housing the demolished Institute for Texan Cultures. In August, the University of Texas Board of Regents offered the City of San Antonio the option to purchase the 14-acre property.
According to San Antonio Express News, Eighmy has voiced his support for the initiative prior to this statement. In a public forum regarding Project Marvel, Eighmy referred to the project as “an important aspect” of a long vision for the future of the UT San Antonio. Eighmy also acknowledged a vision for “young people clamoring to stay here and work here,” expressing that“Project Marvel’s [is] an important aspect of this. Growth in downtown is an important aspect of this. We have to dream big and go big on this.”
The recent support for Project Marvel from the UT San Antonio administrator has sparked concerns from a faculty member. A professor, who wishes to remain anonymous. explained their concerns about the involvement of the university president in election matters.
“It is concerning to see University President Taylor Eighmy do exactly these things in a recent post on X,” the anonymous user said in the email. “Unlike most faculty or staff members who are relatively anonymous, the president of our university has a high public profile, and when he speaks, he knows that his remarks will be interpreted as the position of the university.
“I cannot imagine another UTSA faculty or staff member making such remarks without facing reprimand or other serious consequences.”
