University of Texas at Brownsville explained

The University of Texas at Brownsville
Motto:Latin: Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis
Mottoeng:Cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy.[1]
Closed: (merged with UT–Pan American to form The UTRGV)
Type:Public State University
President:William Fannin[2]
Endowment:US$12.5 million[3]
Provost:Alan F. J. Artibise
City:Brownsville, Texas
Country:U.S.
Students:8,612 (fall 2013)[4]
Faculty:279 (=fall 2013)[5]
Administrative Staff:1,326
Campus:Urban,
Athletics Affiliations:Red River Athletic Conference
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
Sports Nickname:Ocelots
Mascot:Ozzie the Ocelot
Parent:UT System
Free:UTB Collegian
Free Label:Newspaper

The University of Texas at Brownsville (abbreviated as UTB and formerly known as the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College [UTB/TSC]) was an educational institution located in Brownsville, Texas. The university was on the land once occupied by Fort Brown. It was a member of the University of Texas System. The institution was formed from a 1991 partnership between the two-year Texas Southmost College and University of Texas-Pan American at Brownsville. The partnership ended in 2011 as UTB became a standalone University of Texas institution, and Texas Southmost College returned to being an independent community college. UTB itself offered baccalaureate and graduate degrees in liberal arts, sciences, education, business, and professional programs.[6]

In 2015, the UT Brownsville merged with UT–Pan American, to form The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.[7] [8]

History

Texas Southmost College

See main article: Texas Southmost College. Texas Southmost College (TSC) was established in 1926 under the name "The Junior College of the Lower Rio Grande Valley." It admitted its first class on September 21 of that same year. In 1931, its name was changed to "Brownsville Junior College." In 1950, the institution was given the name, Texas Southmost College.

University of Texas-Pan American at Brownsville

In 1973, Texas Southmost College formed a partnership with Pan-American University, later known as the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA). The partnership allowed Pan-American University to establish a four-year university in Brownsville. The resulting independent institution was referred to as Pan American University at Brownsville. In 1989, Pan American University joined the University of Texas System, creating the University of Texas Pan-American at Brownsville (UTPA-B). Brownsville sought a university directly under the UT System and in 1991 the University of Texas Pan-American at Brownsville became the University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB).

University of Texas at Brownsville-Texas Southmost College

After UTB was created, a partnership was established between UTB and TSC, allowing TSC students to seamlessly transition to the four year University without reapplying. The university has academic colleges including business, education, liberal arts and nursing. UTB-TSC's funding came from both the college tax district as well as the State of Texas. After failure to pass a 2002 multimillion-dollar bond, the TSC tax district voters successfully passed a $68 million bond issue[9] to construct additional classrooms ($28 million), additional library space ($14 million), Workforce Training Classrooms ($17 million), Center for Early Childhood Studies ($4 million), and Center for Alzheimer's, Diabetes, Cancer, and Heart Disease ($5 million). Juliet V. García served as UTB-TSC President from 1991 to 2011; Garcia was the first Hispanic woman to be the president of a college or university in the United States.

End of educational partnership with Texas Southmost College

On November 10, 2010, the University of Texas System Board of Regents voted to end the University of Texas at Brownsville's educational partnership with Texas Southmost College.[10] On February 17, 2011, the TSC Board of Trustees voted 4–3 to separate from UTB.[11]

Merger with UTPA and Medical School

On December 6, 2012, the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System approved a proposal to merge UTB, the University of Texas–Pan American, and a planned medical school into one regional institution.[12] On December 12, 2013, the UT Board of Regents voted to name the new university The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.[7]

On November 5, 2014, UTRGV's new nickname of Vaqueros was announced.[13] Immediately, Students on both Campuses began protests objecting to the new name as a caricature and racial stereotype of Mexican, Latino, Chicano, and Hispanic culture.[14] [15]

On January 29, 2015 Texas Representative Terry Canales proposed Texas House Bill 901 which called for postponement of the naming of the new mascot.[16]

On August 31, 2015, UTB and UTPA were officially dissolved and changed to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.[17]

Previous names

The name of the institution evolved over the years:[18]

Presidents

Dates of office[19] President!Notes
9/1/1991 – 12/31/1991Homer J. PeñaFounding president
1/1/1992 – 8/31/2014Juliet V. García
9/1/2014 – 2015William Richard FanninInterim CEO

Admissions

Until the fall of 2011, UT Brownsville had open admissions, meaning prospective students had no admissions criteria.[20] In August 2011 the University of Texas System Board of Regents approved new admission standards for UT Brownsville, and awaited the approval of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[21] The restricted UT Brownsville admissions began in the fall of 2013.[21]

Campus

UTB's campus sat on 524 acres (2.3 km2) of land in the southern part of Brownsville, Texas, the part closest to the border with Mexico. A resaca, or oxbow lake, flows through the heart of the growing landscape. The university's unique architecture plays off the campus's rich history in Fort Brown. Many of the oldest buildings on campus remain from the old U.S. Army outpost. The university has also acquired many buildings in the surrounding area, including a former Holiday Inn hotel complex, former condominiums, the Amigoland Mall, and many historic buildings of downtown Brownsville. The university continues to expand, recently purchasing substantial acreage east of Fort Brown.[22]

Academics

Undergraduate colleges and schools

Notable academic programs

UTB was home to several academic centers and programs:

Student life

Student government

The Student Government Association at UTB hosts the officers of the student body. The SGA runs a three-branch system, with the executive board consisting of the Student Body Officers, the Legislative Board consisting of the Student Senate, and the Judicial Board consisting of the Chief and Associate Justices.

Student organizations

The university recognized more than 50 but less than 100 student organizations.[32] In addition, it supported the Student Organization Council, an official student governance organization that represent student interests to faculty, and administrators.

Greek life

Sorority

Media

Students expressed their opinions in and outside of class through periodicals including The Collegian[34] and the Sting Radio.[35]

Athletics

The Texas–Brownsville (UTB) athletic teams were called the Ocelots (formerly known as the Scorpions until after 2011–12 the school year). The university was a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) from 2006–07 to 2014–15.

UTB competed in seven intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports included baseball, cross country, golf and soccer; while women's sports include cross country, golf, soccer and volleyball.[36] [37] [38]

Accomplishments

The UTB Ocelots women's volleyball team was ranked #18 in the NAIA,[39] but lost the standing after a bad 2008 season. In 2009, under new head coach Todd Lowery, formerly of National American University, the Scorpions began to shine again, achieving a #12 ranking in the NAIA.[40] In December 2011, the UTB volleyball team won its first national championship.[41]

Chess team

The University of Texas at Brownsville was widely regarded for having one of the strongest chess programs in the nation. In 2010, they placed second in the Final Four of College Chess, which they hosted.[42]

Notable alumni

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Seal of the University. University of Texas System. December 28, 2017.
  2. Web site: UTB University Council. University of Texas at Brownsville. December 1, 2014. December 10, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141210060952/http://www.utb.edu/president-fannin/Pages/UniversityCouncil.aspx. live. mdy-all.
  3. News: US News Facts- University of Texas at Brownsville (2010). US News. May 30, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120720052015/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/university-of-texas-brownsville-30646. July 20, 2012. live. mdy-all.
  4. Web site: UTB Fast Facts. University of Texas at Brownsville. 2012-05-30.
  5. Web site: UTB Student Body Profile. University of Texas at Brownsville.
  6. Web site: The University of Texas at Brownsville. utb.edu. December 28, 2017.
  7. News: Jacob Fischler. Regents name university: UTRGV. The Monitor. December 28, 2017.
  8. News: UTRGV UT Chancellor McRaven attends flag-raising, proclamation celebrations for UTRGV's first day. Gail Fagan. Vicky Brito. www.utrgv.edu. December 28, 2017.
  9. Web site: 2004 Bond Election. September 21, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20041015021029/http://www.utb.edu/bond.htm. October 15, 2004. dead. mdy-all.
  10. News: Jazmine Ulloa. The Brownsville Herald . UT Board of Regents votes to terminate UTB/TSC partnership – Brownsville Herald: Valley. November 10, 2010. December 28, 2017.
  11. News: Jacqueline Armendariz. TSC Trustees vote 4–3 to split with UTB – Brownsville Herald: Valley. https://web.archive.org/web/20110221144024/http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/trustees-122947-college-night.html. dead. February 21, 2011. Brownsville Herald. February 18, 2011. December 28, 2017.
  12. News: Andrew Kreighbaum. UT regents approve merging RGV universities, will create medical school. December 28, 2017. The Monitor. December 6, 2012.
  13. News: UT-RGV mascot recommended to be the Vaquero . Victoria . Brito . . . November 5, 2014 . November 5, 2014.
  14. Web site: Nelsen . Aaron . Vaquero approved as UT-RGV mascot despite objections . mysanantonio.com . 2014-11-06 . 2014-11-13.
  15. Web site: Hamilton . Reeve . Vaqueros Won, but the Broncs Are Still Fighting . texastribune.org . 2014-11-10 . 2014-11-17.
  16. Web site: Diaz . David . UT System Regents asked by Rep. Canales to delay decision on using Vaqueros as athletics nickname . edinburgpolitics.com . 2015-02-11 . 2015-02-11.
  17. Web site: UTRGV UT Chancellor McRaven attends flag-raising, proclamation celebrations for UTRGV's first day. Utrgv.edu. 2015-09-03.
  18. Web site: UTB STYLE GUIDE. The University of Texas at Brownsville > Marketing and Communication. UTB. January 28, 2015. March 7, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120307002501/http://www.utb.edu/vpia/marketing/Pages/styleguide.aspx. live. mdy-all.
  19. Web site: Presidents of UT System Institutions. The University of Texas System. December 28, 2017.
  20. News: Monica Rhor. Open admissions may end at UH-Downtown. Houston Chronicle. February 10, 2012. December 28, 2017.
  21. "NEW UT BROWNSVILLE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS." (Archive) University of Texas at Brownsville. Retrieved on September 18, 2012. Click on the orange "NEW UT BROWNSVILLE FRESHMAN ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS" to see the date when open admissions begins.
  22. Web site: Jacqueline Armendariz. Part 3 of series: UTB -Changing the landscape – Valley Morning Star : Local News. Valley Morning Star. September 8, 2011. December 28, 2017.
  23. Web site: Academic Departments. https://web.archive.org/web/20010220131639/http://pubs.utb.edu/provost/ac_departments.htm. February 20, 2001. September 24, 2015. live. mdy-all.
  24. Web site: College of Liberal Arts. UTB. September 24, 2015. September 28, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130928001150/http://www.utb.edu/vpaa/cla/Pages/default.aspx. live. mdy-all.
  25. http://csmt.phys.utb.educsmt.phys.utb.edu
  26. Web site: School of Business. UTB. December 28, 2017.
  27. Web site: College of Education. UTB. https://web.archive.org/web/20061206195723/http://blue.utb.edu/education/. December 6, 2006. December 11, 2006. live. mdy-all.
  28. Web site: School of Health Sciences. January 31, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080131205325/http://blue.utb.edu/shs/. December 11, 2006. live. mdy-all.
  29. Web site: Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101027094818/http://phys.utb.edu/department/CGWApage/index.shtml. 2010-10-27.
  30. Web site: Center for Biomedical Studies. UTB. September 21, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130925103348/http://blue.utb.edu/cbs/. September 25, 2013. live. mdy-all.
  31. Web site: Center for Civic Engagement. UTB. September 4, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20131018190914/http://www.utb.edu/vpaa/cce/Pages/default.aspx. October 18, 2013. live. mdy-all.
  32. Web site: Organizations List. UTB. September 21, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130925103723/http://www.utb.edu/sa/stuact/Pages/OrganizationsList.aspx. September 25, 2013. live. mdy-all.
  33. Web site: Sigma Psi Delta's Home. UTB. September 21, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130927231254/http://orange.utb.edu/sigmapsidelta. September 27, 2013. live. mdy-all.
  34. Web site: utbcollegian.com. UTB. December 28, 2017.
  35. Web site: utbstingradio.com. UTB. September 21, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130923062843/http://www.utbstingradio.com/. September 23, 2013. live. mdy-all.
  36. Web site: Men's Golf. UTB. September 21, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130925103823/http://athletics.utb.edu/golfmen/index.html. September 25, 2013. live. mdy-all.
  37. https://goutrgv.com/news/2015/7/20/GEN_0720151146.aspx Honoring UTB Athletics History - UTRGV Athletics
  38. https://goutrgv.com/sports/2015/7/17/UTB_History.aspx UTB Athletics History - UTRGV Athletics
  39. Web site: Fresno Pacific (Calif.) Finishes On Top In The Final Rating. NAIA. November 14, 2007. December 28, 2017.
  40. Web site: Refreshing to. NAIA. September 29, 2009. September 21, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20110209151954/http://naia.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/092909aaf.html. February 9, 2011. live. mdy-all.
  41. News: UTB Volleyball Team Crowned NAIA National Champions. KVEO. December 6, 2011. September 21, 2013. September 23, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130923082110/http://www.kveo.com/news/utb-volleyball-team-crowned-naia-national-champions. live. mdy-all.
  42. Web site: Perry . Daniel. UTB-TSC places second at the 'Final Four of College Chess' – Brownsville Herald: Home. Brownsville Herald. April 11, 2010. December 28, 2017.