Office of the Provost
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Welcome to the Office of the Provost.
The provost reports directly to the university president and is responsible for the administration of the institution. The provost develops, implements and coordinates the divisions of the university. All vice presidents report to the provost. As directed by the president, the provost also represents and advances the institution's interests to The University of Texas System, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Southmost College Board.
For the 2009-10 academic year, UTB/TSC is focused on five priorities:
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Research: to expand knowledge through research
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Excellence: to promote excellence in teaching and learning
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Accessibility and Affordability: to provide accessible and affordable education
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Development: to advance academic and economic development for our region
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Student Success: to enhance student success
In each of these areas, special activities and initiatives are under way. The university is pursuing student success through its involvement in the Foundations of Excellence 2009-2010 Four-Year National Select Cohort sponsored by the Policy Center on the First Year of College. Throughout the year, faculty, staff and students will meet to look at all aspects of freshman and transfer student experiences. The result will be an academic plan for student success that the university will use to improve both retention and graduation rates.
UTB/TSC is also focusing considerable attention on regional economic development with many of our activities at the International, Technology, Education and Commerce Center located in downtown Brownsville. Notably, Irv Downing, our new vice president for economic development and community services, is ably qualified to lead these important efforts. Our new head of the Office of Research is also well qualified: Dr. Luis Colom, the new interim vice president for research, is holder of the Houston Endowment Chair in Science and Engineering and a respected researcher in his own right.
Amid all these activities and new initiatives, we are transforming the campus with the opening of several major new buildings and the on-going construction of others. This multi-million dollar program includes the following projects:
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The University Boulevard Library
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The University Boulevard Classroom Building
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The Recreation, Education and Kinesiology Center
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The Arts Center
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The Center for Early Childhood Studies
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The Science and Technology Learning Center
There are many smaller renovation projects across campus, including the faithful restoration of the Fort Brown Commandant’s Quarters, which will house the Office of the Provost. These striking developments greatly enhance the experience of our students, faculty and staff. The new facilities will serve the regional community as well, especially the dramatic Arts Center. For detailed reports on construction activities, go to our "Building for the Future" webpage. The additions to the campus lead one reporter of the Valley Morning Star to refer to this as the "Campus of the Future.”
UTB/TSC is on the move, and the Office of the Provost is fully engaged. To the extent that higher education leaders evolve our institutions rapidly, we adapt to the rapidly changing environment and lead the change. When we do this, we not only survive, but we also flourish. UTB/TSC is determined to flourish.
Please feel free to communicate directly with me. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Alan F. J. Artibise, Provost-Elect
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