The University of Texas has whittled down the public-facing information about its affirmative action policy to a single paragraph.

The big picture: Edits to the university's affirmative action website come as top state Republican officials have threatened to bar public universities from using state money for diversity programs.

• University officials say the language on the affirmative action website is in keeping with federal labor posting obligations and is unconnected to political friction around diversity matters.

Catch up quick: Through at least last month, the university had a more robust explanation of its affirmative action policies available online.

• "UT Austin is obligated to achieve and maintain a workforce that is representative of those in the recruiting area with requisite skills," per the page previously, which Axios retrieved through the Wayback Machine internet archive.
• The site had included a section titled "Diversity Demographics" with links to statistical information "to establish availability pools when hiring applicants whether they be from our local metro area or from across the globe."

All that language has now disappeared.

Plus: The mission statement of the university's Division of Diversity and Community Engagement no longer includes language that it "advances socially just learning."

Between the lines: Now the university's affirmative action page explains that the university's affirmative action policy "is legally required due to the university's status as a federal contractor."

What they're saying: Spokesperson Brian Davis said the affirmative action website underwent a redesign that coincided with a broader rebranding.

• "There are no changes to UT policy regarding affirmative action," he tells Axios.

Flashback: Gov. Greg Abbott's office in February ordered state agencies to stop considering diversity in their hiring practices.

• And this month, lawmakers added language to the state budget bill that would ban colleges and universities from using state money on diversity programs.

The other side: "This is just good politics, to go anti-DEI," Gary Bledsoe, an Austin attorney and head of the Texas NAACP, tells Axios.

Go deeper

Austin-based Sam Parr, founder of The Hustle, and entrepreneur Joe Speiser on Tuesday announced the launch of Hampton, a peer-based membership network for founders and CEOs of fast-growing tech startups.

Why it matters: Startups face uncharted territory when it comes to fundraising, hiring or economic turbulence, and the Hampton co-founders say the best decisions can't be Googled.

State of play: Hampton, which is self-funded by Parr and Speiser, has been operating in stealth for 10 months, with more than 260 members in 35 states.

• Founders and CEOs who join Hampton have access to monthly meetings with founders and perks like discounts to software vendors.
• Notable members include Morning Brew CEO Austin Rief and David's Tea founder David Segal.

Catch up quick: Parr founded The Hustle in 2016 — an email newsletter and content company targeted at entrepreneurs and small business owners.

• The Hustle was acquired by marketing software company HubSpot in 2021 — a deal valued at roughly $27 million.

What they're saying: "I didn't know a thing when I started my first startup," Parr said, adding that forming a group with other entrepreneurs helped him succeed. "We started Hampton to make it easy for other entrepreneurs to have a life-changing group like this."

🍼 The Texas House has passed a proposal that would eliminate taxes on tampons and baby products. (KUT)

🚔 Capital Metro plans to have its own police department by early next year. (CBS Austin)

⚕️ Medical marijuana operator Goodblend has opened its first dispensary in Austin, at 7105 East Riverside Drive, near Ben White Boulevard. (KVUE)

Spurs rookie Jeremy Sochan — a lone bright spot in a dim season for the San Antonio NBA squad — was in Austin this week bagging groceries at the H-E-B on East Riverside Drive.

The big picture: The Spurs are playing a couple games in April at the Moody Center, with the team eager to expand its branding reach into Central Texas.

• Sochan came to dispense free merch and build excitement for the Austin matchups.

The intrigue: After years of championship success, the rebuilding Spurs are in a tight race for the worst record in the NBA.

• The bottom teams are hoping to land the No. 1 pick in the next NBA draft, certain to be French wunderkind Victor Wembanyama — who would pair nicely with Sochan, a Polish-American power forward known as "The Destroyer."

Flashback: Last year, as plans were crystallizing for the Austin games, the Spurs' owner swatted away rumors of a full-on relocation.

• Plus, we doubt the UT Longhorns would want to share their territory — and jersey sales — long-term with a professional squad.

What's next: A "Casa de Spurs" at Native Hostel with photo ops, games and giveaways from April 2-8.

• A free Spurs Fan Fest on April 7 at 5pm at Republic Square, featuring headlining musical act Shakey Graves.

Also: The Spurs play April 6 at 7pm at the Moody Center against the Portland Trail Blazers and April 8 at 3pm against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tickets are still available.

💼 Check out the fresh open positions in the city.

1. Communications Officer, Digital Media at Walton Family Foundation.
2. Vice President - Development at Livestrong.
3. Sr. Staff Business Enablement Lead at Luminex.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

The 95th annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays kick off today — a four-day meet at UT's Mike A. Myers Stadium featuring the top high school, collegiate and professional athletes in the world.

In other words: Some very fast runners will be in town.

• The Relays give indoor champions the opportunity to make their outdoor debuts.

Details: The competition begins with the collegiate women's heptathlon, featuring Kristīne Blaževiča of Texas. The collegiate men's decathlon follows with Texas' defending champion Leo Neugebauer.

• The men's 4x400 relay and the women's 4x400 wrap up the meet on Saturday evening.

If you go: General admission tickets start at $25 for the full meet, or $18 for single day sessions.

See the top 25 men's and women's university programs scheduled to compete.