Was TTU’s Duncan forced out by covetous-for-reappointment regents for fighting FOR Tech?

The retirement of Robert Duncan as chancellor of the Texas Tech University system was sudden but comes as a result of labyrinthine and cowardly politics.

It is my understanding that Duncan had another year left on his contract and had already been advised, informally, that it likely would not be renewed.

The conflict with system regents is entirely of a selfish and political nature owing to the byzantine nature of the governor’s power of appointment; the legislature, and; the tantrum throwing power of the former Democrat who is now chancellor of the Texas A&M system.

Rep. John Frullo

During the legislative session local legislators did the right thing and fought for Texas Tech eventually getting some funding for a new veterinary medicine school. Early on, I was told at the time, the governor was aboard with the vet-school plan and then when A&M’s Sharp got wind and began to throw political punches, Abbott abandoned the effort for Tech which was still successfully carried out by state representatives Dustin Burrows (HD83) and John Frullo (HD84.)

Rep. Dustin Burrows

Remember that during this moment in time the Tech regents suddenly pulled the rug out from everyone and backed away from the effort. It was odd at the time and not in the interest of the Tech system but more in the personal interests of regents who value reappointment as such from the governor more than anything else.

Texas Tech Chancellor Robert Duncan

In short, regional legislators stayed the course to help Texas Tech and Chancellor Duncan, a former state senator, did too. But when Governor Abbott vacillated on the issue during the session and then switched sides, regents put their future reappointments ahead of Tech’s long term growth.

A&M’s Sharp has over this year only ratcheted up pressure opposing Tech’s growth and this has lead to an untenable position for Duncan: Fight for Tech and lose support from your bosses, the regents.

I think that is what happened in the murky and wide political picture.

Update: Note that this Austin American-Statesman story seems to echo my position and I am the one who reported on the show the 5 to 4 vote but am not credited. One other note, in the Empower Texans story mentioned it is Steinmetz who gives confirmation that “a rumor of misappropriation of funds” exists. That is all the story says – that he retired after such a rumor was circulating which is accurate. The Empower Texans story does not report that there was financial impropriety. Many seem unable to read well enough to understand this.