Financial backing
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley announced Feb.18 that the UTRGV Foundation is allocating $1 million to the university to help support campus life initiatives that were approved last year by a student referendum, according to Jonah Goldberg, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Communications for the university.
Last November, UTRGV students voted to approve an increase to the athletics fee that will help fund the expansion of spirit programs and the establishment of football, a marching band, women’s swimming and diving, according to Goldberg.
The fee increase is subject to approval by the UT System Board of Regents later this year. For more information on the progress of the new campus life initiatives, please visit RallyTheValley.com.
The allocation by the UTRGV Foundation will be used to provide additional financial support for all four initiatives.
The UTRGV Foundation is an independent non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Texas under the Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation exists solely for the benefit of UTRGV and operates under a Memorandum of Understanding.
By maintaining an independent Board of Trustees, the Foundation can involve volunteers in its fundraising efforts. All funds raised and managed by the Foundation are used in accordance with donor wishes to build the academic, research and public service programs of the university.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey said one of UTRGV’s priorities is to enhance the campus life experience for students.
This allocation, he added, will play a major role in UTRGV meeting that goal.
“As always, we are extremely grateful for the UTRGV Foundation’s longstanding support of UTRGV’s mission and priorities,” Bailey said. “From allocating funds for student scholarships to helping fund faculty research, the foundation remains committed to the success of all our students, faculty and staff. We can’t thank them enough for their support.”
Members of the UTRGV Foundation Board were recognized for their contributions at halftime of the UTRGV Men’s Basketball game against Sam Houston State on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at Bert Ogden Arena.
The landmark vote in mid-November 2021 by students at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to bring a major college football program, more women’s sports, marching band, and economic and educational benefits to the Valley was praised by Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg.
On Thursday, November 11, 2021, university officials announced that UTRGV students, by almost 61 percent of those who voted, approved a proposal to support such programs aided by a future increase in the intercollegiate athletics fee.
The next step in the process is approval of the fee increase by The University of Texas System Board of Regents in 2022, likely sometime in early 2022.
Canales said he supports the creation of a college football team, and looked forward to favorable action by the UT System Board of Regents.
“College football has a positive economic impact on a region in many ways, such as through the millions of dollars that would be generated from thousands of visitors coming to the Valley for the games and related activities,” said Canales. “It also is a tremendous marketing tool for UTRGV, which is one of the best universities in Texas in terms of its proud reputation in academics and sports. Football generates excitement on and off the field.”
A football program would allow Valley athletes more opportunities to earn a college degree from a prestigious university while continuing with their dreams of playing big-league ball, the state lawmaker added.
“College football at UTRGV would also result in the formation of a marching band and many related student activities, and would help in the creation of more sports programs for women in the name of equal opportunities for all of our athletes,” Canales said.
A total of 5,784 students, or about 18% of the student body, voted during the three-day referendum Nov. 8-10. Voter turnout was the largest to date for any UTRGV student vote.
The $11.25 per credit hour increase, capped at 12 hours, starts in Fall 2022 and will help support spirit, football, marching band and women’s swimming and diving programs.
A total of 3,497 students voted in support of the proposal, or 60.5%. About 39.5%, or 2,287, voted to not support the increase.
The increase in the intercollegiate athletics fee will be for new incoming students and graduating students who return for another degree.
Current students who remain within the UTRGV established Guaranteed Tuition and Fees program will not have to pay the fee increase.
Jonah Golberg and James Rivera contributed to this report. For more on this and other Texas legislative news stories that affect the Rio Grande Valley metropolitan region, visit TitansoftheTexasLegislature.com).
Diaz’s email is Legislativemedia@aol.com