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University of Texas at Brownsville

{{Short description|Public university in Texas (1991–2015)}}

{{About|UTB as it existed from 1991–2015|the successor university, UTRGV|University of Texas Rio Grande Valley}}

{{Infobox university

|name = The University of Texas at Brownsville

|image = UTBrownsville seal.png

| image_upright = 0.7

|motto = {{langx|la|Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis}}

|mottoeng = Cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy.{{cite web|title=Seal of the University|url=http://www.utsystem.edu/board-of-regents/history/seal-university|website=University of Texas System|access-date=December 28, 2017}}

|established = {{start date|1991|09|01}}

|closed = {{end date|2015|06|30}} (merged with UT–Pan American to form The UTRGV)

|type = Public State University

|president = William Fannin{{cite web|title=UTB University Council|url=http://www.utb.edu/president-fannin/Pages/UniversityCouncil.aspx|publisher=University of Texas at Brownsville|access-date=December 1, 2014|archive-date=December 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210060952/http://www.utb.edu/president-fannin/Pages/UniversityCouncil.aspx|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

|endowment = US$12.5 million{{cite news|title=US News Facts- University of Texas at Brownsville (2010)|url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/university-of-texas-brownsville-30646|publisher=US News|access-date=May 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720052015/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/university-of-texas-brownsville-30646|archive-date=July 20, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

|provost = Alan F. J. Artibise

|city = Brownsville, Texas

|country = U.S.

|students = 8,612 (fall 2013){{cite web|title=UTB Fast Facts|url=http://www.utb.edu/vpaa/admin/Pages/FastFacts.aspx|publisher=University of Texas at Brownsville|access-date=2012-05-30}}

|faculty = 279 (=fall 2013){{cite web|title=UTB Student Body Profile|url=http://www.utb.edu/vpaa/admin/Pages/FastFacts-Chart.aspx|publisher=University of Texas at Brownsville}}

|administrative_staff = 1,326

|campus = Urban, {{cvt|524|acre}}

|athletics_affiliations = Red River Athletic Conference
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

|former_names = {{unbulleted list

|Texas Southmost College

|University of Texas-Pan American at Brownsville

|University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College

}}

|sports_nickname = Ocelots

|mascot = Ozzie the Ocelot

|colors = {{nowrap|{{color box|#B76712}}{{color box|#FFFFFF}}{{color box|#002244}} Orange, white, blue}}

|parent = UT System

|logo = UTBrownsville wordmark.png

| logo_upright = .6

|website = {{url|www.utb.edu}}

|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.{{cite web|url=http://www.utb.edu|title=The University of Texas at Brownsville|work=utb.edu|access-date=December 28, 2017}}

In 2015, the UT Brownsville merged with UT–Pan American, to form The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.{{cite news|author=Jacob Fischler|title=Regents name university: UTRGV|url=http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/article_54d3cd7c-6359-11e3-b89b-0019bb30f31a.html|work=The Monitor|access-date=December 28, 2017}}{{cite news|title=UTRGV {{!}} UT Chancellor McRaven attends flag-raising, proclamation celebrations for UTRGV's first day|url=http://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/about-utrgv/news/press-releases/2015/august-31-ut-chancellor-mcraven-attends-flag-raising/index.htm|author1=Gail Fagan|author2=Vicky Brito|website=www.utrgv.edu|access-date=December 28, 2017}}

History

=Texas Southmost College=

{{Main|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.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

=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).{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

=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{{cite web|url=http://www.utb.edu/bond.htm|title=2004 Bond Election|access-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041015021029/http://www.utb.edu/bond.htm|archive-date=October 15, 2004|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} 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.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

=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.{{cite news|author=Jazmine Ulloa|work=The Brownsville Herald |url=http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/articles/tsc-119207-board-texas.html|title=UT Board of Regents votes to terminate UTB/TSC partnership – Brownsville Herald: Valley|date=November 10, 2010|access-date=December 28, 2017}} On February 17, 2011, the TSC Board of Trustees voted 4–3 to separate from UTB.{{cite news|author=Jacqueline Armendariz|url=http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/trustees-122947-college-night.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221144024/http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/trustees-122947-college-night.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 21, 2011|title=TSC Trustees vote 4–3 to split with UTB – Brownsville Herald: Valley|publisher=Brownsville Herald|date=February 18, 2011|access-date=December 28, 2017}}

=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.{{cite news|author=Andrew Kreighbaum|title=UT regents approve merging RGV universities, will create medical school|url=http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/article_cec2bf8e-3fd9-11e2-8651-001a4bcf6878.html|access-date=December 28, 2017|newspaper=The Monitor|date=December 6, 2012}} On December 12, 2013, the UT Board of Regents voted to name the new university The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

On November 5, 2014, UTRGV's new nickname of Vaqueros was announced.{{cite news|title=UT-RGV mascot recommended to be the Vaquero |url=http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/ut-rgv-mascot-colors-announced/article_25556888-6517-11e4-824d-0017a43b2370.html |first=Victoria |last=Brito |newspaper=The Monitor |location=McAllen, Texas |date=November 5, 2014 |access-date=November 5, 2014}} 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.{{cite web|last=Nelsen |first=Aaron |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/Critics-Vaquero-mascot-is-culturally-5875365.php |title=Vaquero approved as UT-RGV mascot despite objections |website=mysanantonio.com |date=2014-11-06 |access-date=2014-11-13}}{{cite web|last=Hamilton |first=Reeve |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2014/11/10/ut-rgv-president-bailey-responds-mascot-controvers/ |title=Vaqueros Won, but the Broncs Are Still Fighting |website=texastribune.org |date=2014-11-10 |access-date=2014-11-17}}

On January 29, 2015 Texas Representative Terry Canales proposed Texas House Bill 901 which called for postponement of the naming of the new mascot.{{cite web|last=Diaz |first=David |url=https://edinburgpolitics.com/2015/02/11/ut-system-regents-asked-by-rep-canales-to-delay-decision-on-using-vaqueros-as-athletics-nickname/ |title=UT System Regents asked by Rep. Canales to delay decision on using Vaqueros as athletics nickname |website=edinburgpolitics.com |date=2015-02-11 |access-date=2015-02-11}}

On August 31, 2015, UTB and UTPA were officially dissolved and changed to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.{{cite web|title = UTRGV {{!}} UT Chancellor McRaven attends flag-raising, proclamation celebrations for UTRGV's first day|url = http://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/about-utrgv/news/press-releases/2015/august-31-ut-chancellor-mcraven-attends-flag-raising/index.htm|website =Utrgv.edu|access-date = 2015-09-03}}

=Previous names=

The name of the institution evolved over the years:{{cite web|title=UTB STYLE GUIDE|url=http://www.utb.edu/vpia/marketing/Pages/styleguide.aspx|website=The University of Texas at Brownsville > Marketing and Communication|publisher=UTB|access-date=January 28, 2015|archive-date=March 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307002501/http://www.utb.edu/vpia/marketing/Pages/styleguide.aspx|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

  • 1926–1931: The Junior College of the Lower Rio Grande Valley
  • 1931–1949: Brownsville Junior College
  • 1949–1992: Texas Southmost College
  • 1992–2013: The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
  • 2013–2015: The University of Texas at Brownsville

=Presidents=

class="wikitable"
Dates of office{{cite web|title=Presidents of UT System Institutions|url=http://www.utsystem.edu/offices/board-regents/history/presidents-utsystem-institutions|website=The University of Texas System|access-date=December 28, 2017}}| PresidentNotes
|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.{{cite news|author=Monica Rhor|url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Open-admissions-may-end-at-UH-Downtown-3241710.php|title=Open admissions may end at UH-Downtown|work=Houston Chronicle|date=February 10, 2012|access-date=December 28, 2017}} 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."[http://www.utb.edu/em/Pages/AdmissionRequirements.aspx NEW UT BROWNSVILLE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20120814215956/http://www.utb.edu/em/Pages/admissionrequirements.aspx 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. The restricted UT Brownsville admissions began in the fall of 2013.

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.{{cite web|author=Jacqueline Armendariz|url=http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/local_news/part-of-series-utb---changing-the-landscape/article_4da6a133-020f-570c-8813-f8ba9dd3eeca.html|title=Part 3 of series: UTB -Changing the landscape – Valley Morning Star : Local News|publisher=Valley Morning Star|date=September 8, 2011|access-date=December 28, 2017}}

Academics

=Undergraduate colleges and schools=

  • College of Biomedical Sciences and Health Professions
  • College of Applied Technology and General Studies{{cite web|url=http://pubs.utb.edu/provost/ac_departments.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010220131639/http://pubs.utb.edu/provost/ac_departments.htm|archive-date=February 20, 2001|title=Academic Departments|access-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}
  • College of Liberal Arts{{cite web|url=http://blue.utb.edu/cla/|title=College of Liberal Arts|publisher=UTB|access-date=September 24, 2015|archive-date=September 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928001150/http://www.utb.edu/vpaa/cla/Pages/default.aspx|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}
  • College of Science, Mathematics, and Technologyhttp://csmt.phys.utb.educsmt.phys.utb.edu {{Dead link|date=March 2022}}
  • School of Business{{cite web|url=http://www.utb.edu.bn/academics/utb-school-of-business/|title=School of Business|publisher=UTB|access-date=December 28, 2017}}
  • College of Education{{cite web|url=http://blue.utb.edu/education/|title=College of Education|publisher=UTB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206195723/http://blue.utb.edu/education/|archive-date=December 6, 2006|access-date=December 11, 2006|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}
  • School of Health Sciences{{cite web|url=http://blue.utb.edu/shs/|title=School of Health Sciences|archive-date=January 31, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131205325/http://blue.utb.edu/shs/|access-date=December 11, 2006|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

=Notable academic programs=

UTB was home to several academic centers and programs:

  • Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy{{cite web| url = http://phys.utb.edu/department/CGWApage/index.shtml| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101027094818/http://phys.utb.edu/department/CGWApage/index.shtml| archive-date = 2010-10-27| title = Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy}} Research focuses on astrophysical source modeling, gravitational wave data analysis, and the phenomenological astrophysics of gravitational wave sources.
  • Center for Biomedical Studies{{cite web|url=http://blue.utb.edu/cbs/|title=Center for Biomedical Studies|publisher=UTB|access-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925103348/http://blue.utb.edu/cbs/|archive-date=September 25, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} was established to conduct biological and medical research on regional health issues and biotechnological approaches that may contribute to regional development.
  • Center for Civic Engagement{{cite web|url=http://www.utb.edu/vpaa/cce/Pages/default.aspx|title=Center for Civic Engagement|publisher=UTB|access-date=September 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018190914/http://www.utb.edu/vpaa/cce/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date=October 18, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

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.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

=Student organizations=

The university recognized more than 50 but less than 100 student organizations.{{cite web|url=http://www.utb.edu/sa/stuact/Pages/OrganizationsList.aspx|title=Organizations List|publisher=UTB|access-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925103723/http://www.utb.edu/sa/stuact/Pages/OrganizationsList.aspx|archive-date=September 25, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} In addition, it supported the Student Organization Council, an official student governance organization that represent student interests to faculty, and administrators.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

=Greek life=

Sorority

  • Sigma Psi Delta{{cite web|url=http://orange.utb.edu/sigmapsidelta|title=Sigma Psi Delta's Home|publisher=UTB|access-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927231254/http://orange.utb.edu/sigmapsidelta|archive-date=September 27, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

=Media=

Students expressed their opinions in and outside of class through periodicals including The Collegian{{cite web|url=http://utbcollegian.com/|title=utbcollegian.com|publisher=UTB|access-date=December 28, 2017}} and the Sting Radio.{{cite web|url=http://www.utbstingradio.com/|title=utbstingradio.com|publisher=UTB|access-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923062843/http://www.utbstingradio.com/|archive-date=September 23, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://athletics.utb.edu/golfmen/index.html|title=Men's Golf|publisher=UTB|access-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925103823/http://athletics.utb.edu/golfmen/index.html|archive-date=September 25, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}[https://goutrgv.com/news/2015/7/20/GEN_0720151146.aspx Honoring UTB Athletics History - UTRGV Athletics][https://goutrgv.com/sports/2015/7/17/UTB_History.aspx UTB Athletics History - UTRGV Athletics]

=Accomplishments=

The UTB Ocelots women's volleyball team was ranked #18 in the NAIA,{{cite web|url=http://www.naia.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27900&ATCLID=205290766|title=Fresno Pacific (Calif.) Finishes On Top In The Final Rating|publisher=NAIA|date=November 14, 2007|access-date=December 28, 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://naia.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/092909aaf.html|title=Refreshing to|publisher=NAIA|date=September 29, 2009|access-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209151954/http://naia.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/092909aaf.html|archive-date=February 9, 2011|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} In December 2011, the UTB volleyball team won its first national championship.{{cite news|url=http://www.kveo.com/news/utb-volleyball-team-crowned-naia-national-champions|title=UTB Volleyball Team Crowned NAIA National Champions|publisher=KVEO|date=December 6, 2011|access-date=September 21, 2013|archive-date=September 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923082110/http://www.kveo.com/news/utb-volleyball-team-crowned-naia-national-champions|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

=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.{{cite web|last=Perry |first=Daniel|url=http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/articles/texas-110846-chess-college.html|title=UTB-TSC places second at the 'Final Four of College Chess' – Brownsville Herald: Home|publisher=Brownsville Herald|date=April 11, 2010|access-date=December 28, 2017}}

Notable alumni

References

  • Chilton, Carl Jr. (2001) "The First 70 Years: A History of Higher Education in Brownsville"

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Portal|Texas}}

  • {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.utb.edu/|title=Official website}}
  • {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.utbathletics.com/|title=Official athletics website}}
  • [http://www.utsystem.edu The University of Texas System]

{{University of Texas–Rio Grande Valley}}

{{Brownsville, Texas}}

{{Education in Cameron County, Texas}}

{{UT system}}

{{Public universities in Texas}}

{{Authority control}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Texas Brownsville, University of}}

University of Texas Brownsville

University of Texas at Brownsville

University of Texas at Brownsville

University of Texas at Brownsville

Brownsville

University of Texas at Brownsville

Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Category:Red River Athletic Conference

University of Texas at Brownsville

University of Texas at Brownsville

University of Texas at Brownsville

University of Texas at Brownsville

University of Texas Brownsville