A Message from UTSA President Ricardo Romo, June 2015
UTSA President Ricardo Romo
UTSA President Ricardo Romo
Share this StoryJune 3, 2015
Dear Friends,
The 2015 Texas legislative session has come to a close and I wanted to give you an update on several issues of importance to UTSA that were considered by lawmakers.
Our top priority for this session was to obtain funding for new classrooms and laboratories. UTSA has grown to almost 29,000 students, yet we are one of the most space-constrained institutions within the UT System.
I am pleased to let you know that lawmakers approved $70 million in revenue bonds for new construction at UTSA. Our plan is to build a new Instructional Science and Engineering (ISE) Building so we can expand our research programs and provide more top-tier opportunities for students. UTSA has already set aside $20 million for construction and we will look to the UT System and our generous community supporters to help us with additional funding for the project.
This session, lawmakers also added new money to the Texas Research Incentive Program, which provides matching funds to institutions that have raised private gifts and endowments to support research activities. UTSA currently has more than $6 million in eligible gifts awaiting a match.
With the unanimous support of our Bexar County legislative delegation, lawmakers agreed to fully fund UTSA's request of $4 million for the San Antonio Life Science Institute (SALSI). Additionally, they increased the Texas Grants program to support students with financial need and increased the Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program.
Lawmakers also set aside some one-time funds to further help the state's public universities offset the costs of the Hazlewood Act, which exempts the families of active and retired Texas military veterans from college tuition and fees. Each year, UTSA foregoes $10 million in tuition and fees under the act.
On another note, legislators passed a controversial bill permitting handguns on public college campuses. I am grateful to UT System Chancellor William McRaven for his leadership in voicing concerns about this law, which was ultimately amended to allow each university to establish rules on where concealed weapons may and may not be permitted on campus. In the days ahead, we will be working closely with the Chancellor and UT System to develop those rules.
Overall, there were a number of tough policy matters for legislators to consider this session and I appreciate our Bexar County legislative delegation being such strong advocates for higher education and UTSA. They are great friends to our university. They know that investing in UTSA is investing in our future.
Go 'Runners!
Ricardo Romo
President, The University of Texas at San Antonio
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Events
The UTSA Office of Undergraduate is proud to celebrate National Undergraduate Research with an annual event sponsored by the (OUR) featuring students will showcase undergraduate student research and creative endeavors from all disciplines across campus.
Various LocationsDía en la Sombrilla, formerly Fiesta UTSA, is a festival hosted each spring as a part of Fiesta® San Antonio events. Sponsored by Roadrunner Productions, the event features music, food, confetti, games, event t-shirts, and more.
Sombrilla Plaza and Central Plaza, Main CampusFiesta Arts Fair features contemporary art from more than 100 artists from across the U.S., Fiesta favorite foods, drinks, live music by local and regional performers, and a Young Artists Garden providing opportunities for budding artists to learn, explore and express their creativity.
UTSA Southwest CampusJoin the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services for Denim Day, a day of learning about the importance of consent and why we wear denim on the last Wednesday of the month each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Stop by our Denim Day display to take a photo in front of our Denim Wall, spin the "Is It Consent?" Wheel, and get a Concha or goodie.
Student Union Window Lounge, Main CampusLearn to use Zotero®, a citation manager that can help you store and organize citations you find during your research. Zotero can generate bibliographies in various styles, insert in-text citations and allow you to share sources with collaborators.
Virtual EventCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
AlamodomeCelebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome
