University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is San Antonio’s largest public university, and currently the second largest university in the University of Texas System in terms of enrollment as of fall 2005 figures, at 27,605 (preliminary figure) students.
The main campus is situated on 600 acres (2.4 km²) at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Loop 1604 (virtually across the street from the Six Flags Fiesta Texas) theme park near the northern edge of San Antonio, Texas in Bexar County. The university is also one of the UT system’s fastest growing schools with an enrollment increase of 12.04% from 2001-2003.
History
The University of Texas at San Antonio was founded on June 5, 1969 by Governor Preston Smith. UTSA now offers access and opportunity for more than 27,000 students, as mandated by the UT Board of Regents. UTSA has come a long way in just 35 years. Administrative offices for the first UTSA president, Arleigh B. Templeton, were set up in 1970 in Hemisfair Park, and architects Ford, Powell and Carson Inc. began developing a conceptual master plan for the campus.
1970s
In 1973 Peter T. Flawn was appointed UTSA's second president. By this time, more than 670 students had enrolled in graduate level courses taught by 52 faculty members.
UTSA's earliest students attended college at the Koger Center, an office park. Master's degrees were offered in business administration, education, bicultural-bilingual studies, English as a second language, environmental management, Spanish, biology, mathematics and systems design. Thirty-eight degree programs were approved for the school.
In 1973 construction began on UTSA's original campus, now known as the 1604 Campus, on a 600-acre tract in the rolling foothills of San Antonio's northwest side. As enrollment grew, five colleges—Business, Fine and Applied Arts, Sciences and Mathematics, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Multidisciplinary Studies—opened in 1975. In 1976 the John Peace Library Building, which also served as the new administration building, opened.
1980s
James W. Wagener was named UTSA president in 1978. In the 1980s four new colleges were put in place and new undergraduate programs were offered in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering. Later in the decade, the College of Sciences and Mathematics was reorganized to form the College of Sciences and Engineering. Also, UTSA's athletics teams began competing as San Antonio's only NCAA Division I sports program.
More than 12,000 students enrolled at UTSA in this era. A recital hall, university center and the first on-campus residence—Chisholm Hall—opened. The Institute of Texan Cultures also became a part of UTSA during this period. Samuel A. Kirkpatrick became the fourth UTSA president in 1990.
1990s
UTSA began offering classes downtown in the Institute of Texan Cultures, and as enrollment increased, the university began looking for a new location. Bill Miller Bar-B-Q Enterprises purchased the Fiesta Plaza site for the new campus. The Texas Legislature-funded South Texas Border Initiative (which provided $352.4 million for new educational programs and buildings at 19 universities in the South Texas border region) allocated $71.5 million to UTSA, with $20 million stipulated for the Downtown Campus.
The 11-acre Downtown Campus was dedicated in fall of 1997 and now has four academic buildings. A growing number of undergraduate and graduate degrees can be completed on-site at the Downtown Campus. Other facilities constructed or opened during the 1990s included the Engineering- Biosciences Building, Business Building, a campus visitor center, and a computer lab. The student-centered University Center has tripled its original size.
2000s
Ricardo Romo became UTSA's fifth president in 1999 and was the first Hispanic president in the university's 30-year history. Academic reorganization the following year included a move to six colleges—Business, Education and Human Development, Engineering, Liberal and Fine Arts, Sciences, and Public Policy. A School of Architecture, Honors College and The Graduate School were subsequently developed.
New construction and additions to the campuses recently begun or completed include the Downtown Campus Durango Annex, home of the UTSA Institute for Economic Development; a $19.3-million Recreation and Wellness Center and Child Development Center; the Main Building, a $52 million facility located just east of the John Peace Library Building on the 1604 Campus; and the $23 million Margaret Batts Tobin Laboratory Building that will be used to study emerging infectious diseases.
Completion of UTSA's $83.7 million Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building is scheduled for early 2006. Chaparral Village, a $45 million, 1,000-bed student housing project, opened Fall 2004. The complex, one of UT System's largest residence halls, includes several three-story buildings with two and four-bedroom units and a dining facility.
Academics
UTSA offers 40 Master's Degrees, 55 undergraduate degrees and 12 doctoral degrees, with several other doctoral programs being developed. UTSA currently has eight colleges including:
- Business
- Education and Human Development
- Engineering
- Honors College
- Liberal and Fine Arts
- Public Policy
- Architecture
- Sciences
All programs are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Research initiatives
In addition to the educational advantages UTSA offers, its economic impact directly and indirectly produces more than $1 billion in annual business activity in Texas, including more than 6,500 jobs and $200 million in personal income. Purchases by UTSA in FY 2004 totaled more than $30.8 million, with $6.5 million or 21 percent designated or obtained from historically underutilized business (HUB) vendors. The university currently has 7,000 employees.
UTSA has a goal to become a tier one institution (which recognizes at least 20 doctoral degrees a year in at least three disciplines) by 2007 and a doctoral/research extensive institution (at least 50 doctoral degrees a year in at least 15 disciplines) by 2015. As the premier doctoral/research university of South Texas and as a Hispanic-serving institution, UTSA will continue to provide educational opportunities for the underrepresented population of the region at the highest level of excellence.
Athletics
UTSA is San Antonio’s only NCAA Division 1 institution with 16 intercollegiate sports including basketball, cross country, golf, indoor track & field, men’s baseball, outdoor track and field, tennis, women’s soccer, women’s softball, and women’s volleyball.
Spirit and tradition
Alma mater
Lyrics by Alan Craven, former dean and professor of COLFA Music by Clarence Stuessy, retired professor and former chair of Department of Music
"Hail UTSA"
- From our hills of oak and cedar
- To the Alamo,
- Voices raised will echo
- As, in song, our praises flow.
- Hail Alma Mater!
- Through the years our loyalty will grow.
- The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Mascot
The roadrunner, a bird representative of the Texas Hill Country and the Southwest, was voted the UTSA mascot in 1977. "Rowdy the Roadrunner" attends many university functions and games.
School colors
The official colors of The University of Texas System are orange and white. Upon recommendation from the UTSA Student Representative Assembly, the Board of Regents approved the addition of navy to the orange and white for UTSA's school colors.
Housing
UTSA offers three selections for on-campus housing:
- Chaparral Village – newly built apartment-like complexes with 2 or 4-bedroom configurations
- Chisholm Hall – traditional dorm-style housing
- University Oaks – apartments with 2 or 4-bedroom configurations
There are also many apartment complexes within walking distance of the campus, such as the newly opened Outpost Apartments[1], the Mavericks Apartments, and others.
Food services and vending
UTSA features a monopoly of Pepsi products in the numerous vending machines around campus. Food services are provided by Chartwells USA which operates five cafeterias and a Subway restaurant on campus. The newest facility is the Roadrunner Cafe, which opened in the Fall 2005. The new cafeteria features artwork from President Romo and has many different food selections.
Additional campuses
UTSA also features an 11 acre (45,000 m²) campus located in downtown San Antonio that houses a variety of available classes, including an architecture program. The Institute of Texan Cultures stands as the third branch of UTSA, holding one of the most complete libraries on Hispanic culture.
Future outlook
Several multi-million dollar projects are either in planning stages or under construction for future growth at the university. Included are additions to engineering, biotechnology and sciences, as well as a third University Center expansion which will have a ballroom with capacity to hold 1,600 people. President Ricardo Romo has expressed his desire for UTSA to grow into a nationally recognized research university throughout the upcoming years.
In terms of long-term growth, UTSA has developed a master plan into 2030 for expanding the 1604 campus with several other new academic and research buildings, sports complexes, and additional student housing. The estimated cost of these long-term projects is $1.6 billion.[2]
According to the campus newspaper, The Paisano, UTSA is in the planning phase of receiving a football team. The team would play at the Alamodome, located near downtown.
Student activities
At the heart of student life are 180 student organizations that represent a diverse array of interests: cultural, honorary, military, political, professional, religious, service, social Greek, special interest, and sports and recreation.
Among the most active groups are the sponsored organizations that receive funding from the University Student Services fee:
- Campus Activities Board (CAB)
- Greek Life
- Student Government Association (SGA)
- Volunteer Organization Involving Community Education and Service (VOICES)
The Paisano
UTSA also hosts a nationally recognized weekly newspaper, The Paisano. It has remained fully independent of the administration since its inception in 1981. The anthem of the newspaper is "Drop It Like It's Hot." The newspaper is usually published once a week, but is occasionally published twice a week. Often there are editorials from students that spark heated debates.
Campus life
Many students who attend UTSA are in the CAP program, an agreement which allows students who are not initially accepted into UT Austin to choose to come to UTSA. If they maintain a certain GPA, will be granted admission to UT. The program is also in effect at UT Arlington, and continues to draw more and more students every year.
However, despite this, many students are opting to stay at UTSA, as the university has been recognized for its stellar research and business programs. UTSA is undergoing massive changes and growth, and this is apparent by the school's dedicated student body.
Famous alumni
See also
External links
- The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Google Maps satellite view of UTSA
- Google Earth image overlay of UTSA's master plan into the year 2030. Requires Google Earth (free download)to view.
- Official UTSA Athletics site
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