I can answer this but I have to be careful how I do it - and most of you including OP has already picked up on why - the workload.

There's a reason why other UT system schools got so nervous and actually had to cut positions when COVID happened versus UTA who simply got nervous.

To quote an exec director "UTA runs a pretty lean shop".

Yeah, no kidding. I know first hand that we hired people that other UT system schools had to let go due to underfunding due to COVID.

I promise you, no one is trying to blow you off or make your life any more difficult intentionally.

If you'll PM me your concerns - and I mean that for everyone in this thread or anyone that reads this - I'll do everything I can to get your concerns in front of the people it needs to be addressed by, just cut me some slack, because like I said, I have to be really, really careful about how I do this.