A friend asked for my script. Here's what I told the lady:
I am a graduate of the College of Liberal Arts and the School of Law. I view this letter as extortion of the University. It is an unconscionable restraint on free speech and an free academic environment at the University. I believe it will lead to the exodus of quality professors, which will lead to a politicized learning environment, which will lead to quality students choosing to study at other universities. I have a 12 year old who is a Texan and is currently in a gifted and talented academic program and to whom I'm introducing colleges. I take him to campus, football games, lectures, etc. to promote the University to him. If the University signs on to this letter, I can no longer in good conscience promote UT as a valid option for him. If the University signs onto this letter, I will no longer spend a single dime in support of the University. Not academic donations, not UT exes, not a key chain with a Longhorn on it. I have been a donor since I got my first real job after the University. That ends the second the University submits to extortion. I will immediately start searching out academic institutions for my son that promote an academic environment free of political coercion.