By Oscar Gonzalez/@originalgamer1
A new building, more students and four-year degrees are in the future for Texas A&M University-San Antonio, thanks to an approved budget of $53.7 million.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approved a budget of $53.7 million for the university, an increase of 19 percent over the previous fiscal year. The Texas Legislature provided $63 million for a STEM building and $11 million for downward expansion on June 6, 2015.
“A&M-San Antonio is well positioned to continue its growth trajectory with additional funding that supports new students, and our faculty and staff,” University President Cynthia Teniente-Matson said in a press release. “The campus is also maximizing formula funding in its academic program plans as we expand into new degree offerings. It is a wonderful time for A&M-San Antonio as we build a Pathway to Prosperity for the inaugural freshman class of 2020.”
Since funding approval on June 6, the university’s administration dove headlong into plans for downward expansion and construction on the new STEM building. Freshmen and sophomore courses will begin Fall 2016.
For downward expansion, a committee of faculty and staff worked over the summer to build a core curriculum for the incoming freshmen and sophomores. New faculty and curriculum are vital for downward expansion, but another important aspect of the expansion is the focus on student success, administrators say.
“The next big piece (for downward expansion) is the student success and retention program,” said Marilu Reyna, associate vice president for university communications and special projects. Programs are already in development to help new the new students when they start enrolling for Fall 2016.
Along with the new downward expansion is a brand new STEM building. At a price tag of $63 million, the new building was the highest priority when requesting funding from the Texas Legislature. The original funding request was $70 million, but the Texas House of Representatives decreased the amount.
“We’re very happy with what we got,” said Jennifer Skiver, assistant vice president for financial services and comptroller.
A planning group will decide what is needed for the building like space for classrooms and labs. After that, the group will find a contractor to start construction.
“I estimate for construction on the building to start November or December,” Skiver said.
