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UTPA faces budget challenges
Despite the current economic times and the budgetary challenges that face all institutions of higher learning, UTPA continues to move forward. The operating budget development for FY2011 was approached cautiously, and was done without layoffs, furloughs and extensive slashing of academic or support programs that some universities are now undergoing. But the challenges are not over. Read More...
Getting essential data out of harm's way
Lessons learned by universities in the wake of Hurricane Katrina are helping officials better prepare for the eventuality of such a disaster at UTPA. With careful plans in place to protect lives and facilities, equal care has now been given to precious data, including the University's student information, e-mail database and main web server. Read More...
Well-known swim coach debuts 'Bronc Aquatics'
Ray Mitchell, coach of several Olympians and USA Swimming's developmental coach of the year three times, is now sharing his considerable expertise with swimmers in the Rio Grande Valley through the new Bronc Aquatics program at UTPA. Read More...
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Appearing at a URL near you!
Since 2005, Dr. Zen Faulkes, associate professor of biology, has carried out the tedious task of recording and editing his lectures to make them available for his students. Now, Tegrity Lecture Capture, the newest form of technology to find a home in UTPA's classrooms, is bringing class lectures to students online. Read More...
Extreme energy conservation: Human Power
Battling a tight budget and treacherous weather, UTPA's Human Powered Vehicle team brought home two third-place trophies from last month's American Society of Mechanical Engineers' 2010 Human Powered Vehicle Challenge East in Connecticut. The competition involved 29 college teams vying in drag and endurance racing events. Read More...
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State Farm and UTPA promote financial literacy
The atmosphere was suspenseful as two Rio Grande Valley student teams were tied with 25 seconds left in the final round of the first State Farm Financial Literacy High School Challenge. Buzzing in first, Hidalgo Early College High School edged out Edcouch-Elsa High for the win and a service-learning trip to New York City's financial district. Read More...
Nonprofit Resource Center reaches out to community
As part of its Stronger Together Initiative, UTPA's Southwest Border Nonprofit Resource Center is making available $300,000 in competitive grants for nonprofit, faith-based and community groups serving Hidalgo and Starr Counties. Read More...
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COLT celebrates AT&T Foundation grant
Students will have easier access to their online courses through mobile devices such as smart phones and PDAs (personal digital assistants) thanks to a $150,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation to UTPA's Center for Online Learning, Teaching and Technology. Read More...
Doubling your gift to UTPA
Did you know that many employers will match your gift to UTPA? Be sure to check with your human resources department to see if yours is a Matching Gift Company. There's no better way to give, since these matches are often dollar for dollar – doubling your impact on the University. To learn more, contact the Development Office at development@utpa.edu.
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Alumni Association elects new leadership
Prominent Edinburg attorney Jose G. "Joey" Gonzalez, Jr. (BA '93), a partner in the San Antonio-based law firm of Watts Guerra Craft, LLP, was elected president of the UTPA Alumni Association at the group's annual membership meeting May 25. Read More...
UTPA brings home a hero
UTPA '93 alumnus Armando Perez always planned for a career in finance. However, life took an unexpected turn. Nearly two decades later, Armando heads the Houston division of HEB grocery stores, serves on the UTPA Foundation Board of Trustees and is vice chair of the Houston Food Bank. Read More...
Career Services is there for alumni, too
After working a variety of jobs for several years, Roberto Hinojosa of Weslaco decided to return to school so he could provide a better life for his family. Graduating with a mechanical engineering degree in 2009, he then turned to the Office of Career Services, which he credits with helping him get ahead of the competition. Read More...
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'Pillars of Success' exhibit
An exhibit featuring the stories and photos of the 2010 "Pillars of Success," five of UTPA's most outstanding alumni, is on display in the Visitors Center of the Student Services Building. Read More...
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Polinard named Piper Professor
Dr. Jerry Polinard, professor of political science and pre-law adviser, has been named a Minnie Stevens Piper Professor for 2010. Read More...
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Greetings from the Valley, where the heat is beginning, literally and figuratively. The budget for FY 2011 has finally been completed—or so we thought until the Legislative Budget Board and the Governor's Budget Office instructed us to submit a budget with an additional ten percent reduction beyond the five percent reduction mandated earlier this year. That budget cut was $7.4 million dollars; now we are facing a total reduction of more than $22 million dollars for FY 2012.
In this newsletter, public relations specialist Gail Fagan has done an excellent job of recapping what I'm calling "the good, the bad, and the ugly" of the original five percent reduction. We have managed to scrape by without any layoffs and cuts to major programs so far, but the next few years will be lean ones.
In spite of these budget reductions, we must continue the phenomenal progress and growth that UT-Pan Am has experienced under its previous presidents.
Beginning immediately, a University planning committee, made up of faculty, staff and students, will begin to develop specific initiatives to rejuvenate and realize the six goals developed for the University under Dr. Blandina Cárdenas' guidance. The original goals are to:
As the initiatives are developed, you will be asked for input—we want our stakeholders to have a voice in shaping the University's future. ¡Mano a mano seguimos adelante!
Regards,
Robert S. Nelsen
President
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