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A new Texas Senate committee met for the first time yesterday to study the impact of UT's exit from the Big 12 for the SEC. UT President Jay Hartzell defended the move to the committee, calling it the right thing for Longhorn student athletes and the university itself. Hartzell said the powerhouse SEC is more competitive, and represents an opportunity for U-T to expand its global presence. Several Texas lawmakers are opposed to the change in conferences, voicing a concern for the state's three other Big 12 Programs.