University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a public research university with multiple campus throughout the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas and is the southernmost member of the University of Texas System. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 after the consolidation of the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College and the University of Texas–Pan American.[7]

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Former names
Texas Southmost College (1930–1995)
Edinburg College (1932–1952)
Pan American College (1952–1971)
Pan American University (1971–1989)
Pan American University at Brownsville (1988–1989)
University of Texas Pan American (1989–2015)
University of Texas Pan American at Brownsville (1989–1991)
University of Texas at Brownsville (1991–2016)[1]
MottoDisciplina Praesidium Civitatis (Latin)
Motto in English
"The cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy"[2]
TypePublic research university
EstablishedJune 14, 2013 (as UTRGV)
Parent institution
University of Texas System
AccreditationSACS
Academic affiliation
Endowment$103.771 million (2020)[3]
PresidentSebastian Castillo
ProvostJanna Arney
Academic staff
1,239 (Fall 2015)[4]
Administrative staff
1,338 (2015)[5]
Students32,419 (Fall 2021)[4]
Undergraduates27,124 (Fall 2021)[4]
Postgraduates5,073 (Fall 2021)[4]
Location
Edinburg
,
Texas
,
United States

26.304551°N 98.174165°W / 26.304551; -98.174165
CampusMidsize City, 665 acres (2.69 km2)
Other campsuses
NewspaperThe Rider
ColorsOrange and gray[6]
   
NicknameVaqueros
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division I – WAC
MascotVaqueros
Websitewww.utrgv.edu

In 2019 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley enrolled in the fall 29,619 students, making the public university the ninth-largest university in the state of Texas and the fourth largest (student enrollment) academic institution in The University of Texas system. In 2018, UTRGV is also one of the largest university in the U.S. to have a majority Hispanic student population; 89.2%[8] of its students are Hispanic, virtually all of them Mexican Americans.[9] It was classified in 2020 among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".[10]

History
See also: University of Texas–Pan American § History, and University of Texas at Brownsville § History

On December 6, 2012, the University of Texas System Board of Regents approved a proposal to merge, eliminating both The University of Texas–Pan American and The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College. This led to the creation of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The new institution was planned to include a medical school and have access to the Texas Permanent University Fund (PUF).[11] Texas Governor Rick Perry signed SB 24[12] into law, approving the creation of the new university in June 2013. In December 2013, the UT System Board of Regents voted to name the new institution The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).

Dr. Guy Bailey was selected as the founding university president.[13] Dr. Bailey, in turn, selected Dr. Havidan Rodriguez as the founding Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA), and Dr. Janna Arney as Deputy President.[14] In late August 2017, Dr. Havidan Rodriguez resigned his position as Provost/EVPAA to become the 20th President of The University at Albany, SUNY.[15] After his resignation was approved, Dr. Bailey appointed Dr. Patricia Alvarez McHatton as the interim provost and vice president for academic affairs.

In November 2014, the UT System Board of Regents approved the "Vaqueros" as the athletic nickname for University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. They also approved the official colors of blue, green, and orange.[16]

The university officially opened on August 31, 2015, with UT System chancellor Bill McRaven, U.S. Representative Rubén Hinojosa and Texas State Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa attending the flag-raising ceremony.[17] McRaven said, "One hundred years from now, Texas will look back and say that this day changed Texas forever."[17]

To honor the largest donation in the history of higher education in the Rio Grande Valley, the College of Business and Entrepreneurship was named Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship. Robert C. Vackar, CEO of Bert Ogden Auto Group donated $15 million in the form of an endowment to the college.[18]

Campuses and buildings

The university's property totals 550 acres. UTRGV owns 105 buildings; some of the properties include:

Students and employees with dependent children may live in the Village Apartments in the Edinburg Campus or the Casa Bella Apartments in the Brownsville campus.[19] The Village Apartments is zoned to:[20] the following Edinburg CISD schools: De La Viña Elementary School,[21] B. L. Garza Middle School,[22] Edinburg North High School.[23]

Academics

Rankings
Academic rankings
National
Forbes[24]424
THE / WSJ[25]501-600
U.S. News & World Report[26]299
Washington Monthly[27]75
Global
THE[28]1001-1200
U.S. News & World Report[29]745

UTRGV offers 64 bachelor's, 49 master's, and 4 doctoral programs (in addition to 2 cooperative doctoral programs).[30] For the Academic Year 2015–2016, 92.7% of enrolled students came from the Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties. The ethnic enrollment is 89.2% Hispanic (Fall 2017).[8]

In 2017, The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine has ranked UTRGV 3rd in the country in awarding bachelor's degrees to Hispanic students.[31]

Financial aid

In 2017, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley was ranked No. 6 (out of 56 Texas Universities) for lowest student loan debt in the state of Texas.[32]

Colleges and schools

Eleven colleges and schools formed the academic foundation for UTRGV, including:[33]

UTRGV College/School founding
College/School
Year founded
School of Medicine
2015
College of Medicine and Health Affairs*
2016
College of Health Affairs
2015
College of Sciences
2015
College of Liberal Arts
2015
College of Fine Arts
2015
College of Engineering and Computer Science
2015
Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship[18]
2015
College of Education and P-16 Integration
2015
Honors College
2015
Graduate College
2015
University College
2015

Academic accreditation

UTRGV inherited the academic accreditation of its legacy institutions.[34] The university is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[35]

UTRGV was notified on December 6, 2016 that it was being placed on a 12-month probation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The reason why UTRGV was placed on probation because of the complexity of a transition that involved the separation of UTB/TSC, the separate accreditation of TSC, and the formation of UTRGV. The probation-removal decision by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees was announced in December 2017,[36] and The SACSCOC Board of Trustees on December 11, 2017 announced it removed The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley from probationary status. The decision by the board to remove UTRGV from probationary status was based on the university successfully addressing the Statewide Single Audit for FY 2017 conducted by the Texas State Auditor's Office.[37]

The UTRGV School of Medicine received preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education in October 2016.[38] In May 2016, the School of Medicine received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to offer a medical residency program in psychiatry.[39]

Proposed expansions

Legislation to establish a law school in UTRGV was introduced by representative Eddie Lucio III in November 2014 but did not pass in the Texas Senate.[40] On May 21, 2019, the Texas House of Representatives approved House Bill 103 during the 86th Legislative Session, whose author was Representative Armando Martinez, that calls for the establishment of a public law school in the Rio Grande Valley.[41]

Student life
Student body composition as of May 2, 2022
Race and ethnicity[42] Total
Hispanic 93% 93
 
White 2% 2
 
Foreign national 2% 2
 
Asian 1% 1
 
Other[lower-alpha 1] 1% 1
 
Economic diversity
Low-income[lower-alpha 2] 69% 69
 
Affluent[lower-alpha 3] 31% 31
 

Prior to the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, on February 22, 2008, then-Senator Barack Obama visited the UTRGV Edinburg Campus (then known as the University of Texas-Pan American) to talk to college students about better paying jobs and tuition assistance.[43]

Athletics
Main article: UTRGV Vaqueros

The merged university inherited UTPA's Division I membership; most of the athletic facilities are located in Edinburg. They have membership with the Western Athletic Conference.

On November 19, 2016, the UTRGV Women's Volleyball Team defeated the Utah Valley Women's Volleyball team, making them the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Volleyball Champions of 2016.[44]

Mascot

The choice of a new university nickname was met with some contention from members of the communities of the two merged schools.[45] UTPA supporters, the larger of the two merged schools, argued for keeping the UTPA nickname, Broncs, while UTB supporters wanted a nickname new to both merged schools. UTPA Alumnus Alex Del Barrio created a petition to "Say No To Vaqueros" that garnered over 11,000 signatures after the announcement was made.[46] Several local city councils also passed resolutions in support of one option or the other.[45] President Guy Bailey recommended a new nickname, Vaqueros, to The University of Texas System Board of Regents on November 5, 2014.[47] The suggestion for Vaquero was inspired by the UTPA student Studio Art projects, where the Toro and Vaquero were the most popular projects.[48]

Bailey also recommended school's athletic colors be UT System orange, green (formerly the secondary color of UTPA), and blue (formerly the secondary color of UTB).[47]

The announcement to the decision generated a swift and mainly negative reaction from some UTPA supporters on social media. These supporters, displeased that the Broncs was being moved to the wayside, determined the name was culturally insensitive, racist, and sexist.[49][50] Nevertheless, the UT System Board of Regents approved the recommendation the following day,[51] making Vaqueros the fifth NCAA Division I nickname that is a Spanish language word after the Cal State Northridge Matadors, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, San Diego Toreros, and New Mexico Lobos. Bailey considered the decision "final" following the approval by the board of regents.[52] About 500 students protested against the Vaquero mascot on the UTPA campus on 13 November 2014.[53] A petition calling for Bailey's immediate resignation garnered more than 700 signatures.[54] Articles of impeachment were filed against the Student Government President Alberto Adame and Vice-President Carla "Fernanda" Pena by Jonathan Lee Salinas (Senator at Large '14–'15) partly for their roles in the mascot committee, though, the impeachment process was ended due to insufficient evidence. Following the protests, the UT System issued a press release supporting the "Vaquero" decision.[55]

At the height of the controversy in November 2014, Texas legislator Terry Canales suggested he was considering filing a bill requiring UTRGV to abandon the Vaquero nickname.[52] Canales submitted HB901 in January 2015.[56] If passed, the legislation would require UTRGV to hold a student election for the athletics nickname, with "Broncs" and "Ocelots" on the ballot.

The mascot design was revealed in February 2015.[57] The logo features an orange faced rider in green on a navy blue and green horse. The logo features an outline of Texas in the negative space between the legs of the horse.[58][59]

In June 2019 the new design for The Vaquero Mascot was revealed. The new costumed version of the mascot was voted on and created by UTRGV students.[60]

Notable alumni (including UTPA and UTB/TSC)

References
  1. "UTRGV Accreditation History" (PDF).
  2. "Seal of the University". University of Texas System. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  3. "2020 Annual Report". utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  4. "UTRGV preliminary enrollment steady". UTRGV Student Media. August 23, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  5. "Faculty & Staff". The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  6. "UTRGV Color Palette". UTRGV.edu. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  7. LaCoste-Caputo, Jenny; Adler, Karen (December 12, 2013). "Board of Regents votes to name new UT in South Texas The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley" (Press release). Austin, Texas: The University of Texas System Office of Public Affairs. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  8. "Fast Facts September 2018" (PDF). www.utsystem.edu. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
  9. "2016 Fast Facts" (PDF). Utsystem.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  10. "Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup". carnegieclassifications.iu.edu. Center for Postsecondary Education. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  11. Kreighbaum, Andrew (6 December 2012). "UT regents approve merging RGV universities, will create medical school". The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  12. "Texas Legislature Online – 83(R) History for SB 24". Capitol.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  13. Vertuno, Jim (April 28, 2014). "Guy Bailey named sole finalist for president of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Associated Press. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  14. Taylor, Steve (August 27, 2014). "Bailey names first part of his UTRGV leadership team". Rio Grande Guardian.
  15. "UTRGV | Havidán Rodríguez Named President of University at Albany". www.utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  16. LaCoste-Caputo, Jenny; Adler, Karen (November 6, 2014). "UT System Board of Regents approves "Vaqueros" as athletic nickname for new university" (Press release). El Paso, Texas: The University of Texas System Office of Public Affairs. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  17. Reyes, Dayna (1 September 2015). "McRaven: UTRGV will change the fabric of the Rio Grande Valley". Rio Grande Guardian. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  18. "UTRGV | UTRGV receives largest donation in RGV higher education history, names business college in honor of Robert C. Vackar". Utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  19. "The Village Apartments". University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  20. "Edinburg Campus" (PDF). University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Retrieved 2022-10-14. – Note the location of the Village Apartments – Keep in mind this is west of Sugar Road, which means De La Viña zoning
  21. "De La Viña Elementary" (PDF). Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District. Retrieved 2022-10-14. – Linked from here
  22. "B. L. Garza" (PDF). Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District. Retrieved 2022-10-14. – Linked from here
  23. "Edinburg North" (PDF). Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District. Retrieved 2022-10-14. – Linked from here
  24. "Forbes America's Top Colleges List 2023". Forbes. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  25. "Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings 2022". The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  26. "2023-2024 Best National Universities". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  27. "2022 National University Rankings". Washington Monthly. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  28. "World University Rankings 2024". Times Higher Education. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  29. "2022-23 Best Global Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  30. "UTRGV | Why Choose UTRGV?". www.utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  31. "UTRGV | UTRGV ranks third in the nation in awarding bachelor's degrees to Hispanic students; top 10 in other rankings". www.utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  32. "UTRGV | UTRGV ranks sixth among 56 Texas universities for lowest student loan debt". www.utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  33. "Creating America's Next Great Major University". Utrgv.edu. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  34. "Recent Actions taken by SACSCOC Board of Trustees" (PDF). Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  35. "Commission on Colleges". Sacscoc.org. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  36. "UTRGV | Accreditation FAQs". www.utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  37. "Accreditation Updates FAQ". The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
  38. "UTRGV | LCME grants preliminary accreditation: UTRGV School of Medicine now accepting applications". Utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  39. "UTRGV | UTRGV SOM receives accreditation for medical residency program in psychiatry". Utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  40. De Leon, Jose (November 10, 2014). "UT-RGV law school, drug tests, texting bans on 1st day of bill filing". The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. Associated Press. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  41. Diaz, David (November 10, 2019). "Public law school for Rio Grande Valley authorized by Texas House of Representatives". Progress Time. McAllen, Texas. Associated Press. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  42. "College Scorecard: University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley". United States Department of Education. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  43. "Enthusiastic youthful crowd attends Obama rally at UTPA". Valley Morning Star. Retrieved 2017-10-19.
  44. "2016 WAC Volleyball". www.wacsports.com. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  45. Solomon, Dan (September 18, 2014). "The Debate Over What The Mascot For The New UT-RGV Campus Is Getting Heated, Y'all". Texas Monthly. Austin, Texas. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  46. Chapa, Sergio (2014-11-07). "Opponents of UTRGV Vaqueros mascot say fight isn TMt over | News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KGBT". Valleycentral.com. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  47. Brito, Victoria (November 5, 2014). "UT-RGV mascot recommended to be the Vaquero". The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  48. Perez-Hernandez, Danya (November 7, 2014). "For Vaquero sculptor, UT-RGV controversy not a factor in designing new mascot". The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  49. Nelsen, Aaron (November 6, 2014). "Critics: Vaquero mascot is 'culturally insensitive'". San Antonio Express-News. San Antonio, Texas. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  50. Gonzalez, Susan (November 6, 2014). "New university mascot, colors fiercely debated". The Pan American. Edinburg, Texas: UTPA – Student Publications. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  51. "UT System tweet". Twitter. November 6, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  52. Chapa, Sergio (November 7, 2014). "UTRGV President Guy Bailey fires back amid "Vaqueros" controversy". KGBT-TV. Harlingen, Texas. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  53. Perez-Hernandez, Danya (November 10, 2014). "Fight against vaquero not over for UTPA students". The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  54. Espinosa, Elizabeth (2014-11-12). "Petition demands UTRGV President Bailey TMs resignation amid Vaqueros controversy | News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KGBT". Valleycentral.com. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  55. LaCoste-Caputo, Jenny; Adler, Karen (November 14, 2014). "Statement from Chairman Paul Foster, Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Pedro Reyes" (Press release). The University of Texas System Office of Public Affairs. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  56. Perez-Hernandez, Danya (January 23, 2015). "Bill seeks election for UT-RGV nickname". The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  57. Luca, Greg (February 6, 2015). "UT-RGV releases official Vaqueros logo design". The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  58. "University of Texas System selects UTRGV athletic logo". KGBT-TV. Harlingen, Texas. February 12, 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  59. "I see you". Twitter. February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  60. "The Newsroom – Bringing pride and tradition: UTRGV reveals mascot". www.utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2019-06-17.

Notes
  1. Other consists of Multiracial Americans & those who prefer to not say.
  2. The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
  3. The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.
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