Overview

• Welsh’s resignation takes effect Friday at 5 p.m., with regents set to name an interim leader and begin a national search for a permanent president.
• Chancellor Glenn Hegar praised Welsh’s service but said it was the right moment for change, noting Welsh submitted his resignation on Thursday.
• Welsh had fired senior lecturer Melissa McCoul and removed two administrators after the video surfaced, while Hegar ordered a systemwide audit of courses across all 12 campuses.
• Republican officials including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick criticized Welsh’s handling of the incident as state Rep. Brian Harrison claimed credit for the outcome, though Board Chair Robert Albritton said regents did not heed outside pressure.
• Faculty leaders and student government urged the system to retain Welsh, and McCoul’s attorney argued the firing lacked justification based on the course description.