UT Austin Top Lawyer Accuses KUT Leader of Making ‘False’ Statement

University of Texas Accuses KUT Public Media Director of “False Statements” Over Festival Changes

A heated dispute between the University of Texas at Austin and KUT Public Media erupted Wednesday when the university’s top lawyer accused KUT General Manager Debbie Hiott of making “false” statements about forced changes to the inaugural KUT Festival scheduled to begin Friday.

In a sharply worded letter, UT’s vice president for legal affairs and general counsel, Amanda Cochran-McCall, claimed the festival had to be relocated and downsized due to “poor planning” by KUT. “Contrary to your public statements, it was false to assert that you and your staff agreed to every health, security, and safety request made of KUT,” she wrote.

Hiott strongly disputed these allegations, responding with an email to university officials including UT Austin President Jim Davis and Provost William Inboden. “KUT was never informed at any point until Friday’s cancellation that there were any university concerns that threatened the viability of the festival,” Hiott stated. She expressed confusion about why the university canceled “a major portion of the festival without significant discussion or warning” just days before the event.

The last-minute changes have already impacted the festival, with at least two scheduled speakers – Travis County District Attorney José Garza and Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick – withdrawing from the event. Both cited security concerns that arose after the event was moved from the UT campus.

Festival organizers have provided substantial documentation contradicting the university’s claims. Agnes Varnum, a consultant hired by KUT to help produce the festival, called many of the university’s assertions “blatantly false.” She particularly contested the allegation that the KUT team “refused any police presence,” noting that police involvement is standard for events of this size.

Hiott and Varnum both confirmed that event production staff conducted an on-campus walkthrough with UT’s police department on April 22, during which UTPD Sgt. Brian Schlather reportedly indicated all university recommendations had been met.

Autumn Rich, whose event production firm Panacea Collective was hired to produce the festival, corroborated this account. Rich, who has coordinated high-profile events including the Texas Tribune Festival and a White House event, said UTPD requested additional security measures during the walkthrough, which she promptly agreed to implement.

“There was never any effort to circumvent them, or any of the University of Texas offices,” Rich said. “We were inclusive and responded quickly to all concerns.”

Rich also refuted Cochran-McCall’s claim about inadequate emergency medical response planning, providing email evidence showing the university had acknowledged and approved the state-accredited EMS team secured for the event.

The public dispute began Tuesday when Moody College of Communication, which includes KUT and KUTX, announced the festival changes in an email to attendees and staff. Interim Dean Anita L. Vangelisti wrote that their analysis identified “insufficient planning for safety measures, including security, health, fire, and emergency services.”

This confrontation occurs against a backdrop of changing relationships between universities and campus public radio stations nationwide. Several institutions, including Penn State University and Baylor University, have recently reduced or eliminated funding for their public media affiliates, citing budgetary constraints and decreased federal support.

While KUT staff are UT Austin employees, the station maintains editorial independence from the university and derives its funding primarily from member and business donations rather than university funds. The university’s intervention in KUT’s operations comes during a period of significant transformation at UT Austin, which has recently announced the consolidation of several academic departments and eliminated approximately 60 staff positions previously focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion following changes in state law.

As of Wednesday evening, university spokesperson Mike Rosen indicated there would be no additional statements beyond the general counsel’s letter, while the festival is set to proceed in its modified format beginning Friday.