Message from the President
December 6, 2016
MEMORANDUM
Today, the SACS Commission on Colleges (COC) notified UTRGV that it is being placed on probation for the next twelve months. Please note that during this time, UTRGV remains accredited and the academic and administrative operations of the institution will continue as they have in the past. We will receive official notification and further documentation from SACSCOC in mid-January and at that time will provide a plan for addressing the areas of concern.
At the heart of the problem, though, were timing issues involved in the evolution of UTRGV. That complex process included not only the amalgamation of the assets of UT Brownsville (UTB)* and UT Pan American (UTPA), but also the dissolution of the UTB and Texas Southmost College (TSC) partnership, which was contingent upon TSC achieving separate accreditation. The latter created issues in meeting the transition timeline set forth in the legislation that created UTRGV, which required the start-up of UTRGV by August 31, 2015.
We want to assure you that our primary effort throughout has been to ensure the success of our students; to facilitate the transition of legacy students to UTRGV; and to expand educational opportunities throughout the RGV. That UTRGV was able to award over 5,400 degrees in its first year and had a 2016 first-year retention rate of 80% speaks to the success of those efforts.
Our focus will remain on our students as we continue to work and consult with SACSCOC over the next 12 months to ensure that all their concerns are adequately addressed.
* formerly UTB/TSC