UTSA President Romo discusses research priorities at legislative breakfast

(Nov. 17, 2004)--UTSA President Ricardo Romo hosted a legislative breakfast this week to discuss with the Bexar County legislative delegation UTSA's priorities for the upcoming legislative session. UT Board of Regents Vice Chairman Cyndi Taylor Krier provided the delegation with an outline of steps needed for UTSA to achieve tier-one research status.

Members in attendance at the breakfast were State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, State Sen. Jeff Wentworth, State Rep. Robert Puente (dean of the Bexar County delegation), State Rep. Joaquin Castro, State Rep. Carlos Uresti and State Rep.-elect David Leibowitz.

Pictured from left to right are Uresti, Wentworth, Krier, Puente, Van de Putte, Leibowitz and Romo.

UTSA needs legislative support in several areas in order to reach tier-one research status. Support is needed for tuition revenue bonds for additional buildings on both the UTSA 1604 and Downtown campuses, continued support for currently funded exceptional items and for new exceptional items.

The new items include the Center for Cell and Molecular Primatology, a collaboration of UTSA, the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SWFBR) and the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSCSA) at San Antonio, for research on non-human primates; the Institute for Bioengineering and Translational Research, a partnership with industry for biomedical research, translational research and product development; and the Life Sciences Institute, a partnership with UTHSCSA involving joint doctoral and master's degree programs.

Because of UTSA's rapid enrollment growth, it is important for the programs to be fully funded. Currently proposed legislation which does not include the new exceptional items would result in significant shortfalls for UTSA in meeting growing demands for higher education services.

--Jennifer Storm