Can not they replicate UT in terms of prestige at any other U in Texas ?
In Austin, much of the focus is coming from the parents because they are alumni. We don’t have any pro sports and so the focus is on the Longhorns. These kids wear orange jerseys when they are in diapers.
As far as replicating the prestige of UT at other schools. They are trying but it is hard when funding is dropping.
The issue is funding : it’d be possible to increase the number of freshman intake in Engineering and Business (the most impacted majors) but it’d require construction (classrooms, research labs, teaching labs, dorms) as well as professors (and professors in engineering and business won’t take a gig job for $1,000 a month as adjuncts - they’ll want decent pay.) That would require substantial investments from the State. I don’t see that happening.
Plus, prestige is a big marketing scheme that takes years to accomplish.