Big 12 decision

Regarding “Boren & Co.’s decision reflects how outdated conference is” (Page C1, Tuesday), this was an excellent column by Brain T. Smith on the Big 12’s decision not to expand, particularly as it impacts the University of Houston.

Here’s one of my takeaways: A mere three months ago, University of Texas President Gregory Fenves tweeted “I support considering @UHouston for the conference. UH a huge asset for Texas.” (UT president Gregory Fenves voices support for UH to Big 12,” Chron.com, July 21). This week, as he joined the other nine Big 12 presidents in unanimously rejecting expansion and UH, Fenves was quoted as saying “Ten is the right number... This is the right way to ensure a strong conference moving forward.”

I’d actually been impressed by Dr. Fenves up to this point, with his studentsensitive request to be paid a lower salary than his board had offered and his adroit handling of the touchy campuscarry issue.

However, this flip-flop leaves me wondering if he’s really the honest broker he portrays himself to be. It now appears that the July tweet was insincere at best and just part of the mid-summer UT public relations offensive aimed at calming down Houston-area legislators after the UT System quietly bought that 300 acres over by the Astrodome.

David Bradley, Spring