Changes

Three Lubbock developers and their wives, Linda and George McMahan, Carolyn and Delbert McDougal, and Pamela and Marc McDougal, who were sponsoring a campaign reception for Abbott on August 22 withdrew from the host committee in light of Duncan's departure. The McMahans and the two McDougals have been large contributors to Texas Tech and to political candidates. The remaining fifteen committee members paid $10,000 each for the privilege of hosting the reception. Three of the five regents who voted not to renew Duncan's contract remained on the host committee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/20180820/several-lubbock-area-movers-and-shakers-withdraw-from-host-committee-for-governor-reception|title=Several Lubbock area movers and shakers withdraw from host committee for Governor reception|author=Matt Dotray|date=August 20, 2018|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|accessdate=August 21, 2018}}</ref> Prior to the reception, Abbott told reporters that he has enjoyed a friendship with Duncan for more than twenty years and that he was not involved in the regents' decision. Abbott also affirmed that he supports the second veterinary school in Amarillo. He promised support to interim Chancellor Tedd Mitchell, who succeeds Duncan on August 31, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/20180822/abbott-talks-support-for-texas-tech-vet-school-praises-duncan-during-lubbock-visit|title=Abbott talks support for Texas Tech vet school, praises Duncan during Lubbock visit|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=Abbott talks support for Texas Tech vet school, praises Duncan during Lubbock visit|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=August 22, 2018|accessdate=August 23, 2018}}</ref>

Three Lubbock developers and their wives, Linda and George McMahan, Carolyn and Delbert McDougal, and Pamela and Marc McDougal, who were sponsoring a campaign reception for Abbott on August 22 withdrew from the host committee in light of Duncan's departure. The McMahans and the two McDougals have been large contributors to Texas Tech and to political candidates. The remaining fifteen committee members paid $10,000 each for the privilege of hosting the reception. Three of the five regents who voted not to renew Duncan's contract remained on the host committee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/20180820/several-lubbock-area-movers-and-shakers-withdraw-from-host-committee-for-governor-reception|title=Several Lubbock area movers and shakers withdraw from host committee for Governor reception|author=Matt Dotray|date=August 20, 2018|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|accessdate=August 21, 2018}}</ref> Prior to the reception, Abbott told reporters that he has enjoyed a friendship with Duncan for more than twenty years and that he was not involved in the regents' decision. Abbott also affirmed that he supports the second veterinary school in Amarillo. He promised support to interim Chancellor Tedd Mitchell, who succeeds Duncan on August 31, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/20180822/abbott-talks-support-for-texas-tech-vet-school-praises-duncan-during-lubbock-visit|title=Abbott talks support for Texas Tech vet school, praises Duncan during Lubbock visit|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=Abbott talks support for Texas Tech vet school, praises Duncan during Lubbock visit|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=August 22, 2018|accessdate=August 23, 2018}}</ref>

L. Frederick "Rick" Francis, chairman of the Texas Tech regents, said that Duncan's departure is a result of disagreement among the regents over university finances:

L. Frederick "Rick" Francis, then the chairman of the Texas Tech regents, said that Duncan's departure is a result of disagreement among the regents over university finances:

<blockquote>

<blockquote>

After three years of double-digit increases in the system administrative budget, beginning with the 2017/2018 budget cycle, the regents pushed back on the proposed increase in the system budget. Many, if not most members of the board, feel the system administrative budget is a tax on the component universities and is ultimately reflected in the rising cost of student tuition. The chancellor was asked to cut the system budget and to begin to find ways to limit the size and scope of services ...<br>

After three years of double-digit increases in the system administrative budget, beginning with the 2017/2018 budget cycle, the regents pushed back on the proposed increase in the system budget. Many, if not most members of the board, feel the system administrative budget is a tax on the component universities and is ultimately reflected in the rising cost of student tuition. The chancellor was asked to cut the system budget and to begin to find ways to limit the size and scope of services ...<br>

The result was a decision supported by the majority of the board not to renew the chancellor’s contract and instead set a course for new leadership at the end of the chancellor’s term. Coming to this conclusion was not easy for anyone involved, but there was a decision made by Chancellor Duncan that now would be the best time to retire, and for the system to move in a new direction.<ref>

The result was a decision supported by the majority of the board not to renew the chancellor’s contract and instead set a course for new leadership at the end of the chancellor’s term. Coming to this conclusion was not easy for anyone involved, but there was a decision made by Chancellor Duncan that now would be the best time to retire, and for the system to move in a new direction.<ref>

{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/opinion/20180820/francis-differences-between-regents-chancellor-can-be-distilled-into-primary-contention|title=Differences between regents, chancellor can be distilled into a primary contention|author=Rick Francis|date=August 20, 2018|accessdate=August 21, 2018}}</ref></blockquote>

{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/opinion/20180820/francis-differences-between-regents-chancellor-can-be-distilled-into-primary-contention|title=Differences between regents, chancellor can be distilled into a primary contention|author=Rick Francis|date=August 20, 2018|accessdate=August 21, 2018}}</ref></blockquote>

Meanwhile, state Representative Sarah Davis, a Moderate Republican from the Houston area, said there is insufficient information for her House General Investigating & Ethics Committee to conduct a probe into why Duncan resigned as chancellor. Davis said that she will continue to monitor developments in the matter and welcomes any additional information. State Representative [[Four Price]] of Amarillo, who backs Duncan' proposed veterinary school in his city, said that he would support an investigation into Duncan's retirement if any misconduct surfaces: "It may be a little premature to speculate this afternoon, or to say a full-blown committee investigation is warranted. I think we still don’t know."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/20180817/ethics-chair-says-current-facts-dont-warrant-investigation|title=Ethics chair says current facts don't warrant an investigation|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=August 17, 2018|author=Matt Dotray|accessdate=August 18, 2018}}</ref>

Meanwhile, state Representative Sarah Davis, a Moderate Republican from the Houston area, said there is insufficient information for her House General Investigating & Ethics Committee to conduct a probe into why Duncan resigned as chancellor. Davis said that she will continue to monitor developments in the matter and welcomes any additional information. State Representative [[Four Price]] of Amarillo, who backs Duncan' proposed veterinary school in his city, said that he would support an investigation into Duncan's retirement if any misconduct surfaces: "It may be a little premature to speculate this afternoon, or to say a full-blown committee investigation is warranted. I think we still don’t know."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/20180817/ethics-chair-says-current-facts-dont-warrant-investigation|title=Ethics chair says current facts don't warrant an investigation|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=August 17, 2018|author=Matt Dotray|accessdate=August 18, 2018}}</ref>