The Record, Number 138, Spring 2001 Page: 3
16 p. : col. ill.View a full description of this periodical.
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Mr
Rodriguez appointed UT Vice Provost
As the university's newest vice provost for insti-
tutional initiatives, LBJ School Professor Victoria
Rodriguez aims to "polish" what UT Austin Presi-
dent Larry Faulkner has called one of the
university's "crown jewels"-its internationally
recognized Latin American studies programs.
In her new post, which she assumed in January,
Rodriguez hopes to expand research opportuni-
ties and faculty and student exchange programs
with Latin American institutions. She believes
that these programs will enrich UT's academic
programs, benefit Latin American academic insti-
tutions, and strengthen the bond between the
university and Latin American countries. In addi-
tion, she would like to bring together all pro-
grams on Latin America that exist on campus
within disciplinary areas such as business, law,
engineering, and the sciences.
In addition to leading the university's Latin
American initiative, Rodriguez also will be re-
sponsible for faculty recruitment and K-12 out-Victoria Rodriguez
reach. Regarding her responsibility for faculty
hiring, Rodriguez said she would like to increase
the size and diversity of the faculty through the
recruitment process. In the K-12 initiative, she
noted that she will be involved with 248 outreach
programs at UT Austin that relate to the educa-
tion of children from kindergarten through the
12th grade.
Rodriguez joined the faculties of the LBJ School
and the UT Institute of Latin American Studies in
1991. Her research interests are focused on topics
related to Mexico and include decentralization,
state and local government, opposition govern-
ments, and women in contemporary politics.
There is no question that Faulkner's emphasis
on the university's relationship with Latin
America was key in moving Rodriguez toward her
new post. According to her, she was captivated in
October 1998 when Faulkner used his first ad-
dress on the state of the university to outline Latin
American studies as one of his administration's
four main priorities. Shortly after the address,
Rodriguez joined a campus-wide steering com-
mittee for the Latin American initiative and soon
became a leading voice in that area.
During a January reception in Rodriguez's
honor, UT Austin Provost Sheldon Ekland-Olson
said he was delighted Rodriguez had joined the
Provost's Office. "When we started talking about
ways to advance the Latin American initiative and
who might be good on campus to do that, the
name that rose to the top most often, and almost
without exception, was Professor Rodriguez," he
said. "It was an easy decision to ask Victoria. She
is a superb colleague."
While Rodriguez said she regrets that her role
at the LBJ School will be limited by her new re-
sponsibilities, she said that she would not aban-
don her research on women and politics in Latin
America. She also will continue to teach at least
one course per semester at the LBJ School.
"I never have seen myself as an administrator,
but I care deeply about the university's relation-
ship with Latin America," she said.Event Jrganizer Ka-hleen Lilly (center) chats with former Johnson Press Sec ekary George Christian (left), and LBJ
Library Director Ha-ry Middleton.
LBJ School salutes 30th anniversary;
two-year celebration ends May 2002
A tw-year anniversary celebration was launched at the LBJ School
this past September, marking the date when the first class of stu-
dents enrolled 3C years ago. The celebration will continue until
the May 2002 commencement, 30 years after the
first class graduated.
Three anniversary committees-a faculty-staff
committee led by former deans Elspeth Rostow and
Max Sherran, an alumni committee composed of one
graduate from each year of the School's history, and a stu-
dent committee-are coordinating the programs and SCHOOL O F
events associated with the two-year celebra-ion. More PUBLIC AFFAIRS
information on anniversary-related activities can be
found on the School's Web page at www.utexas.edu/'c'j/.
(See also: Arniversary Scrapbook, pages 8-9)St uden t COmmittee hosts
The LBJ Schocl's 30th anniversary student com-
mittee, led by second-year student Kathleen Lilly,
organized a series of celebratory events in late
March. Opening the series was an evening pro-
rt published
thorities, higher education institutic-is, and coun-
cils ofgovernments; a Chart on the state's court sys-
tem; a list ofWorld Wide Web sites en Texas stare
government; lilts of agencies ranked by FY 20C1
state appropriations, by number of FTE employ-
ees, and by salaries of chief administrative officers;
and other data.
The state government of Texas wall chart,
the only one of its kind in the state, displays
the agencies by category (educa-ion, energy
and natural resources, health anc human ser-
vices, for exarmale) and illustrates the struc-
ture and interrelationships between the
legislative, executive, and judicial branches of
state government.
The book and chart can be purchased as a set
for $75 plus tax and handling. Purchased sepa-
rately, the boo ; is $65 and the chart is $15. To
order copies, contact the LBJ School's Office cf
Communications at (512) 471-4218, by email at
pubsino@uts.cc. -texas.edu, or via the Web at
www.utexas.edu/Ibj/pubs/books/guide htm.talk on Johnson years
gram featuring commentaries by George Chris-
tian, press secretary to President Johnson, and
Harry Middleton, a Johnson White House staff
assistant who Las served as director of the Lyndon
Baines Johnson Library since it opened in 1970.
Using selected tape recordings of President
Jorinson on the telephone, Christian and
Middleton illustrated how LB, used his legendary
powers of persuasion to get his civil rights legis-
lation passed, force a reluctant Senator Richard
Russell ro serve on the Warren Commission, and
achieve other goals, including the creation of a
presidential library and public affairs school at
the Uriversity of Texas.
One recorc ing, a conversation between
Johnson and National Security Adviser
McGeorge Barndy, revealed LBJ's strong misgiv-
ings abcut U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War
and his personal anguish over sending young
soldiers to a war he called "the biggest mess I
ever saw.
The telephone tapes, which were released last
year by the LBJlibrary, have contributed to a re-
vival of interest in the Johnson presidency, ac-
cording to Middleton and Christian.
'LBJ was a man of tremendous ability and ac-
complishment, said Christian. "Those of us asso-
ciated with him were aware that he went into
somewhat of a historical decline, but he's now
getting the recognition he deserves."3
State government guide and cha
Navigating the maze of Texas state government out Texas. LBJ School Dean Edwin Dorn calls the
is not an easy task, but a new book and wall publications a "vital link between the agencies
chart from the LBJ School can provide a useful and the people who use their services."
roadmap. "Understanding who does what in Texas state
The Guide to Texas State Agencies, government can be a challenge, even for
now in its 11th edition, is the most com- the insiders," said Dorn. "Like
prehensive handbook available on the any good tool, this book
hundreds of agencies, boards, and and chart make the job
commissions that handle the pro much easier. They also
grams and operations of state gov- provide a snapshot of the
ernment in Texas. The wall chart state's current govern-
on the state government of ment structure."
Texas, a companion to the The Guideprovides detailed
Guide, illustrates the rela- directoryinformation-includ-
tionships among these ng each agency's address, phone
agencies and the elected and fax numbers, sunset review
and appointed officials and statutory data, state appropria-
who lead them. tions, and board members' names
Released in February, the new Guide and and service dates-as well as a de-
chart are quickly making their way into the hands scription of major functions and pro-
of state officials, agency administrators, librar- grams. Seventeen appendices provide a wealth of
ians, lobbyists, and government buffs through- additional information, including lists of river au-r,'S
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Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. The Record, Number 138, Spring 2001, periodical, Spring 2001; Fort Worth, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1033211/m1/3/: accessed July 10, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.