What is "Transition"?
The UTB-TSC Partnership, that operated both University and Junior College programs and services under one institution, called "UTB-TSC", is ending on or before August 31st, 2015. Between now and then, both schools are transitioning from the Partnership to independent operations. When the Partnership terminates, the transition will be complete. Each school will operate independently of one another, with separate governance, administration, faculty, programs and services. As good neighbors, they may choose to do some things jointly. They both share the goal of increasing higher education opportunity in the area.
What happens to UTB?
The University of Texas at Brownsville is beginning the next stage of its exciting future as a great university in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. By 2015, UTB will be a stand-alone, growing, expanding and vibrant component of The University of Texas System.
What happens to TSC?
Texas Southmost College will resume its long, respected history as one of Texas' first Junior Colleges, serving the people of the college district, which stretches from San Benito to Brownsville to South Padre Island.
Who is involved in the transition process?
The Transition is coordinated by two Transition Teams: One for UT System and one for TSC. The UT System Transition Team is located in Austin and is under the direction of Dr. David Prior, the UT System Executive Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The TSC Transition Team is located in Brownsville and is made up of TSC Trustees, the TSC president, TSC lawyers, and consultants hired by the TSC Trustees. At UTB, local transition planning and implementation matters are directed by Dr. Alan Artibise, Provost, assisted by Michael Putegnat, who manages transition activities. A UTB Transition Advisory Council, made up of representatives selected by the Faculty, Staff, and Student governing bodies, provides advice, insights and counsel on Transition issues to the UTB administration. Both institutions have many people working hard to design, plan, and implement the best two higher education institutions possible.
What is the first step in the phase out process?
Authority. Each school must seek separate accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which is a 2 year long and work-intensive process. Further, state legislation must be created authorizing the two separate entities operation.
There is confusion about the division of buildings and property. How will they be divided?
UTB owns certain land and buildings. TSC owns buildings and land. UTB has already begun to plan for and make contracts and acquisitions to develop its own campus in Brownsville and north through Cameron and Willacy Counties. During the Transition period, the Transition Teams may want to discuss possible transactions between them regarding their properties. This will unfold as transition proceeds.
How will the students be divided between the two schools?
Students won't actually be "divided" between the two schools. Instead, students will apply to and register for the school they want to attend.
Where will UT hold its classes?
UTB will hold classes on the Brownsville campus and at sites throughout Cameron and Willacy Counties and online.
Will all TSC credits transfer to UTB?
TSC, when it becomes accredited, will have the same kind of "articulation agreement" with UTB as any other Junior College. An articulation agreement is an arrangement that specifies which courses completed successfully at another school will be accepted at UTB.
Who will keep what programs?
UTB will be offering traditional academic programs you would find in most four-year universities, including undergraduate, bachelor, masters and doctorate programs. TSC will be offering programs found normally at Junior Colleges, such as vocational/technical, developmental, and 2 year associate degree programs.
How will this effect financial aid?
Students at each school will be eligible for financial aid as they would be in any like school in Texas.
With the phase out completion to be in 2015, what happens to those students who do not finish in four years?
Any students that start at, or transfer into UTB, before termination of the UTB-TSC Partnership can continue their studies at UTB until they finish, so long as they meet the standards for satisfactory academic performance and the other requirements for attending UTB. Students in Junior College-type programs will continue at TSC. Students whose programs are not likely to complete before the termination of the Partnership will be given notice that they may complete their program in a school different from "UTB-TSC".
How will employees be divided?
Each school administration is busy developing a plan for the academic and other programs each will offer, what facilities each will need, and designing organizations to serve their respective students. UTB will draw from among its present employees to staff and teach at The University of Texas at Brownsville. TSC may want to hire UTB employees and faculty to operate its programs and administration. Present UTB employees who once worked for TSC, prior to the 1991 Partnership, will be offered employment by TSC, as per the original partnership contract.
When do employees start saying they work for only UTB or TSC instead of UTB/TSC?
Technically, all but about 20 employees of the 2,500 already work for UTB, even though the insitution is called "UTB-TSC", which is how it is accredited. Upon the termination of the Partnership, employees will work for, be paid by, and report to their respective institutions: either UTB or TSC. In the meantime, TSC will be hiring new TSC personnel as it builds its administration and faculty. Some of these may be previous employees of UTB.
How and when will the dividing start? Will phasing start immediately?
The Transition Teams are working presently on the method, schedule and terms for the phasing of operations from the Partnership to the individual institutions.