South Texas Initiative

This historic legislation sets a new trajectory for the people of the Rio Grande Valley. A new day has finally dawned. It culminates decades of effort to get UTPA and UTB at the table as equal partners with their sister institutions. And as an added and powerful bonus, it launches the next evolutionary stage of the establishment of the RGV medical school.

This effort required the skillful alignment of vision, courage and fortitude among and between regional and statewide leadership. It was complicated and challenging. But in the end, everyone was clear that more important than individual agendas was the combined impact of a regional vision and that we had to take advantage of this extraordinary moment in time to leapfrog the Valley into the 21st Century.

Once in a great while if we're fortunate, we have the privilege to be part of something individually and collectively that is very important. This is one of those rare moments.

My most sincere congratulations to Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa, the UT Board of Regents, state leaders, the Valley's local legislative delegation, community leaders and President Robert Nelson without whose combined support this simply would never had happened. Felicidades!

President Juliet V. García

UT System: House lawmakers gain compromise, pass amended bill

UT System: Gene Powell and Francisco Cigarroa on the passage of Senate Bill 24

Texas Tribune: House Approves South Texas University Compromise Bill

Texas House of Representatives District 37: New University Legislation Passes Texas House