TSC maintains an "open door" admissions policy, but admission does not imply admission to all programs. Admission to some TSC programs and UTB undergraduate and graduate programs have specific requirements. Information about these programs is available at the Academic Advising Center in Tandy Hall #214 and at the Office of Graduate Studies and Sponsored Programs at the Champion Hall.

Admission Requirements

Anyone meeting one of the following conditions may be admitted:

1. By High School Graduation. A copy of the official high school transcript showing the date of graduation must be submitted to the Enrollment Office prior to registration.

2. By Examination. Applicants who did not graduate from high school may be admitted by successfully completing the General Education Development Testing Program (GED). A copy of the Certificate of High School Equivalency with test scores must be submitted to the Enrollment Office prior to registration.

3. By Individual Approval. People who do not qualify for admission under either of the above conditions may be admitted if they are at least 18 years of age. Applicants must submit two letters of reference using the forms provided by the Enrollment Office. People admitted on Individual Approval will be under academic probation for the initial enrollment period (semester).

4. By Transfer from Another College. Students who have attended other colleges must submit official transcripts from each institution prior to registration.

** Veterans applying for benefits must provide a transcript since credit for previous education must be verified.

5. By a Fresh Start. An applicant for admission may seek to enter this institution pursuant to the state's "academic fresh start" statute, Texas Education Code, §51.931. If the applicant informs the Enrollment Office in writing of his or her election under the statute, the institution will not consider academic course credits or grades earned by the applicant 10 or more years prior to the starting date of the semester in which the applicant seeks to enroll. An applicant who makes the election to apply under this statute may not receive any course credits for courses taken 10 or more years prior to enrollment. An applicant who has earned a baccalaureate degree under the "academic fresh start" statute, Texas Education Code, §51.927, will be evaluated on the grade point average of the course of work completed after enrollment under "fresh start" and the other criteria stated herein.

6. By Concurrent/Dual Enrollment. Students who have completed their junior year of high school may, upon recommendation of their high school principal, be permitted to enroll. The Request for Concurrent Enrollment Form is available at the Enrollment Office. Concurrently enrolled students receive college credit only. Dual enrolled students receive high school and college credit. Students must pass all sections of the exit-level TAAS before they can attempt the official TASP test, including alternative tests. Students who are interested in concurrent enrollment must have met the TASP requirement.

7. Adult and Continuing Education. People who register within this category will not be required to submit academic or residency documentation until they attempt to enroll for credit courses.

8. By Audit Enrollment is offered on a space available basis for auditing some courses. Interested people should contact the Enrollment Office.

All documents submitted become property of UTB/TSC.

The University Plan

The University Plan is a program where entering freshman at UTB will benefit from:

• Specialized course selection
• Collaborative studies through cohort placement
• Additional scholarship opportunities
• Field work in diverse settings and student exchange opportunities
• Early focus on career track

Students are admitted to UTB/TSC, then admitted to The University Plan programs in Business, Education, Engineering Technology and Music under the following admission criteria:

• Business: To be admitted, students in the top 50% of their graduating classes must submit official SAT or ACT scores. Students who have successfully completed the General Education Development Testing Program (GED) and those who graduated in the bottom 50% of their graduating classes must have an official SAT score of 860 or an ACT Composite score of 18.
• Education: Admission requires that students pass the Reading and Writing portion of the TASP test. Math test scores must be on file. For more information about Education, call 983-7219.
• Engineering: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (B.S.E.T.) program at UTB requires advanced placement in Mathematics, Science and Language. Entering students are expected to start in Calculus and college-level Chemistry and Physics courses. High school graduating class placement, scores on ACT, SAT and TASP will be used to determine eligibility for this unique program. It is expected that students will have graduated in the top 20% of their high school graduating class and will have had high grades in pre-calculus and calculus classes in high school. For more information about Engineering Technology, call 574-6639.
• Music: Admission requires that students pass the reading and writing portion of the TASP test, a department audition, and a Music Theory Placement Test. For more information about Music, call 544-8247.

Steps for Undergraduate Admission

√ Step 1 – Submit completed Admission Application to Enrollment Office.

Enrollment Office Tandy Hall #105 • 544-8254

• Incoming Freshman – White Form
• Returning Student – Yellow Form
• Transfer Student – Yellow Form

√ Step 2 – Submit one of the following academic credentials to Enrollment Office.

• Incoming Freshman – Official high school transcript, or GED Certificate, or two letters of reference for individual approval.
• Transfer student – Official college transcripts for institution(s) attended.

√ Step 3 – Submit proof of state residency documents for tuition purposes to Enrollment Office.

• All residency documents must include the student's name and address and must be dated 12 months prior to enrolling. This includes former students who have not attended UTB/TSC for more than a year.

Examples of proof of residency:

• Permanent Texas Driver's License/ID card
• Texas Voter Registration Card
• Texas high school or college transcript
• Property tax statement or receipt
• Lease agreement
• Utility bill
• Employer's statement (indicating date of employment)
• Canceled check/bank statement

√ Step 4 – Testing

Testing Office, Tandy Hall #216 • 544-8875

• Freshman – All incoming freshman who are not exempt must take the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) test or an approved alternative. Individuals failing any section of the TASP will be required to take an assessment test. Visit the Testing Office located in Tandy Hall 216 or call 544-8875 for further information.
• Transfer Student – Submit official TASP scores or Alternative TASP to the Testing Office located in Tandy Hall 216 or call 544-8875 for further information.

√ Step 5 – Advising

• Freshman Only – All incoming freshman must meet with an academic advisor. Visit the Academic Advising Center located in Tandy Hall #214 or call 983-7362.

√ Note: Orientation

• Freshman – All incoming freshman must attend Orientation. Visit the New Student Relations Office in the Student Center (544-8860 or 1-877-UTB-TSC1) to complete the Orientation registration form. A $10 orientation fee is required.

Determining Student Residency

Upper Division and UTB University Plan

Under the state statutes and regulations, an upper-division student, UTB University Plan student, or prospective student is classified as a resident of Texas, a nonresident, or a foreign student.

• A resident is an individual who is either a U.S. citizen, national naturalized citizen or permanent resident alien or an alien who has been permitted by Congress to adopt the United States as his or her domicile while in the United States and who has otherwise met the state requirements for establishing residency for tuition purposes. While these state requirements for establishing residency are complex and should be referred to in each particular circumstance, they generally require a minimum of 12 months residence in Texas prior to enrollment.
• A nonresident is a citizen, national naturalized citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. or an alien who has been permitted by Congress to adopt the U.S. as his or her domicile while in this country and who has not met the State's requirement for establishing residency for tuition purposes. While these state requirements for establishing residency are complex and should be referred to in each particular circumstance, they generally require a minimum of 12 months residence in Texas prior to enrollment.
• A foreign student is an alien who is not a permanent resident of the U.S. or has not been permitted by Congress to adopt the U.S. as his or her domicile. An individual classified as a foreign student may qualify, under certain exemptions specified in rules set forth by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, for resident tuition rates and other charges while continuing to be classified as a nonresident or a foreign student. Information on residency, reclassification, tuition exceptions and waivers is available at the Enrollment and/or Financial Aid offices.

Lower Division

• Residents/In-District are residents of the taxing district of Texas Southmost College, which includes Brownsville, Port Isabel, South Padre Island, Laguna Vista, Bayview, Los Fresnos, Olmito, Rancho Viejo, and routes 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in San Benito pay in-district tuition rates. Individuals who are domiciled in the United States and own property in the district subject to ad valorem taxation, and their dependents, are also charged the in-district rate.
• Residents/Out-of-District are residents who do not reside in the taxing district described above. Evidence of ownership of such property shall be a current certificate of payment provided by the Cameron County, Texas, Tax-Assessor Collector. It must be submitted with the application for admission and will be retained. This evidence must be resubmitted annually.

Dependents of property owners must submit a copy of the prior year's income tax form listing the student as a dependent.

An international student, for example a student on a F-1 or J-1 visa, who is not permitted to establish domicile in the U.S. does not qualify for the in-district tuition rate. This provision only extends to students who enroll in lower division courses and does not extend to upper division or graduate level courses. For more information, contact the Enrollment Office.

An alien who is living in this country under visa permitting permanent residence such as A-1, A-2, A-3, E-1, E-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5, H-1B, H-4 only if parents hold H-1B, I, K-1, K-2, L-1, L-2, NATO 1,2,3,4,5,6 & 7, O-1, O-3 only if parents hold O-1, R-1, R-2, Valid I-551 or I-688 or has filed with the proper immigration authorities a declaration of intention to become a citizen has the same privilege of qualifying for residence status for fee purposes under the new ruling of Coordinating Board as a citizen of the United States.

Note: In order for these cardholders to be quoted in-state tuition, they must establish residency in the State of Texas for 12 months.

Student Responsibilities

Oath of residency. §54.0521, Texas Education Code, provides for an oath of residency. The student is responsible for registering under the proper residence classification and for providing documentation as required by the public institution of higher education. If there is any question as to right to classification as a resident of Texas, it is the student's obligation, prior to or at the time of enrollment, to raise the question with the administrative officials of the institution in which he or she is enrolling for official determination. Students classified as Texas residents must affirm the correctness of that classification as part of the admission procedure. If the student's classification as a resident becomes inappropriate for any reason, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the proper administrative officials at the institution. Failure to notify the institution constitutes a violation of the oath of residency and may result in disciplinary action and/or other penalties.

• Reclassification as a nonresident. People who have been classified as residents of Texas will be reclassified as nonresident students whenever they report, or there is found to exist, circumstances indicating a change in legal residence to another state. If students who have been classified as residents of Texas are found to have been erroneously classified, those students will be classified as nonresidents and will be required to pay the difference between resident and nonresident fees for those semesters in which they were erroneously classified.
• Reclassification as a resident. People classified as nonresidents of Texas upon first enrollment are presumed to be nonresidents while they continue as students. The presumption may be overcome only upon timely application and presentation of the required evidence which must include evidence unequivocally indicative of a fixed intention to reside permanently in the state. If students have been erroneously classified as nonresident students and subsequently prove to the satisfaction of the appropriate officials of an institution of higher education that they should have been classified as resident students, they will be classified as residents of Texas and will be entitled to a refund of the difference between the resident and nonresident fees for the semesters in which they were erroneously classified. Normally, the refund must be requested and substantiated during the current term. Supporting documentation for reclassification must be submitted to the Enrollment Office prior to the official record date. The Enrollment Office will make the final determination on residency status. After residing in Texas for at least 12 months, a nonresident may be reclassified as a resident student as provided in the rules and regulations adopted by the Coordinating Board, Texas College and University System. Any individual reclassified as a resident student is entitled to pay the tuition fee for a resident of Texas at any subsequent registration as long as he continues to maintain his legal residence in Texas.

Registration Requirements

1. Clear Admissions. See Steps for Undergraduate Admissions..

2. Clear Outstanding Financial Balances. No debts may be outstanding with UTB/TSC.

3. Complete testing requirements.

4. Receive Advising. All new students are required to receive academic advising. For more information visit the Academic Advising Center at Tandy Hall #214 or call 983-7362.

5. Attend Orientation. All freshman are required to attend an Orientation session. For more information, visit the New Student Relations Office at the Student Center or call 544-8860.

Registration Blocks

Block Type                                       Contact, Phone, Location

Suspension                                      Counseling Center, 544-8292, Tandy #205

Admissions                                      Enrollment Office, 544-8254, Tandy #105

Foreign Student                               International Counselor, 544-8292, Tandy #205

TASP                                                Academic Advising Center, 983-7362, Tandy #214

Graduate Status                              Enrollment Office, 544-8254, Tandy #105

Departmental Approval                  Respective Department Office

Undergraduate Course Load        Dean of School/College

Graduate Course Load                 Graduate Studies, 548-6552, Champion Hall

Financial Holds & Bars                  Business Office, 544-8202, Tandy #107

Examples of outstanding financial holds and bars balances that will prevent a student from registering for a semester:

• Balance on Installment Plan
• Balance on Emergency Loan
• Balance on Student Account
• Balance on Financial Aid Repayment
• Parking Citations
• Library Fines

For all other registration block questions, contact the Academic Advising Center at Tandy Hall #214 or call 983-7362.

Readmission of Former Students

Former students of UTB or TSC are required to file a readmission application if they have not been enrolled during the previous semester.

Former students must submit transcripts from all colleges attended since the last enrollment. Students who have earned less than a 2.0 (4.0=A) average over all work completed since attending or who left their last institution on probation may be readmitted on probation. Students who are not eligible to return immediately to any former institution(s) must meet with the Admissions Committee. Appointments may be scheduled at the Counseling Center.

Admission of International Students

International students applying for admissions to undergraduate studies must apply for an I-20 A-B Form and must comply with the following:

• Submit an application for admission, Tandy Hall #105.
• Submit official transcripts for high school and/or college work previously completed whether taken in a foreign country or in the United States. (Foreign transcripts must be officially translated into English and evaluated when necessary.) Information on these services is available at the Enrollment Office, Tandy Hall #105, and with the International student counselor, Tandy Hall #205.
• Request form I-20 AB from the Enrollment Office, Tandy Hall #105. To obtain this form you must present the following:

– Affidavit of financial support as evidence of ability to bear academic and living expenses while studying in this country.

– Official documentation proving the above, with bank statements or letters from sponsoring government or company.

– A degree plan Program of Study that may be obtained with from the International student counselor Academic Advising Center, Tandy Hall #205.

The I-20 must be presented along with a valid passport and copy of affidavit of financial support to the nearest American Embassy or consulate in order to obtain a student (F-1) visa.

Visa and I-20 will be processed at the U.S. Port of Entry.

Copies of these documents must be presented to the Enrollment Office at Tandy Hall #105 prior to registration.

• International students holding non-immigrant visas will be automatically charged for comprehensive health insurance every semester at the time of registration. The cost of the insurance is in the amount of the premium approved by the U.T. System health insurance plan. This charge may not be paid in installments. Mexican nationals, except those on J-1 visas, are exempt from this requirement.
• A waiver may be obtained by providing proof of an acceptable alternate insurance to the Health services Director. Proof of insurance must include identification card with insurer's name and policy cover-age with effective and expiration dates including coverage of at least $100,000.00 in medical benefits. It must be in English. If the required medical evacuation and repatriation coverage is not included, these may be purchased separately at the Business Office, Tandy Hall #108, for $35.00 (annual fee). This is a one-time charge per academic year. For information contact the international student counselor, Tandy Hall #205.
• U.S. residents who wish to purchase health insurance may contact the Student Health Services director for more information.
• International students holding other types of visas may attend full or part time without obtaining an I-20 AB form or changing to student visa. For more information regarding types of visas, contact the Enrollment Office at Tandy Hall #105 or the International Student Counselor at Tandy Hall #205.
• Effective Fall 1998, TASP scores or an alternative test score must be submitted to the Enrollment Office, Tandy Hall #205.
• Undergraduate students whose native language is not English will be assessed for basic skills using an institutional test. Performance on the test will indicate course level to the enrolled in.
• All incoming students must attend Freshmen Orientation. Students can sign up at the New Student Relations Office, Tandy Hall #205.
• After completing the enrollment process, students must go to the Advisement Center, Tandy Hall #214, to schedule an advising session.

For admissions procedures and required tests for Graduate Studies consult the office of Graduate Studies and Sponsored Programs at the Champion Hall, 1st Floor.

Admission for Non-Degree Students

Students who do not intend to seek a degree or complete a program are asked to contact the Enrollment Office about a special admissions policy for undergraduate or graduate courses.

Transfer of Credit Policy

Regular undergraduate academic credit may be transferred from another institution if:

– the credit was earned at an accredited institution;

– the nature, content, and level of the courses for which credit is sought are comparable to courses offered by UTB and TSC; and

– the courses for which credit is sought are appropriate and applicable to programs offered by UTB and TSC.

Transfer credits accepted for admission purposes may not be applicable for degree purposes. Catalog descriptions and other materials from the institution at which the credit was earned will be used to determine if transfer credit will be applicable for degree purposes. In the case of post-secondary work from foreign institutions, The Country Index, published by the International Education Research Foundation, Inc., will be used to determine if transfer credit will be applicable for admissions or degree purposes. There is no limit on the amount number of hours credited on acceptable transfer courses.

Courses that do not transfer include:

1. Pre-college courses such as remedial reading, developmental reading, speed reading, remedial science and orientation.

2. Drill or skill courses such as filing methods and vocational or technical training courses such as shop courses, welding, carpentry, plumbing and masonry. (There will be limited exceptions to this rule in the case of the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree.)

3. Terminal courses offered at many community colleges that are not intended for transfer to senior colleges. Examples of such courses are auto mechanics, machine shop, electricity, data processing, and welding. (There will be limited exceptions to this rule in the case of the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree.)

4. Doctrinal courses in religion. Courses in religion of a historical or literary nature (but non-doctrinal) are transferable up to a maximum of 12 semester hours of lower-division credit.

No credit will normally be given for "life experience." There will be limited exceptions to this rule in the case of the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree when this credit has been validated and placed on the transcript by an accredited community college or technical institution.

Recommended College Preparatory Program for High School Students

Core Curriculum: College Preparation

Core Curriculum                      Credits                    Courses

English Language Arts                4                          English I-IV

Mathematics                                 2                         Algebra I and Geometry

Science                                         2                         Courses to be selected from State Board of Education-                                                                                   approved courses, excluding applied and introductory courses.  
                                                                                   Appropriate courses include Physical Science, Biology I and II,
                                                                                   Chemistry I and II, Physics I and II

Social Studies                              4                         United States History (1)

                                United States Government (0.5)

                                World History Studies (1)

                                World Geography (1)

                                Economics (0.5)

Foreign Language                       3                         Levels I-III proficiency of the same language

Health                                         0.5                        0.5 credit minimum

Fine Arts                                    0.5                        0.5 credit minimum

Physical Education                   0.5                        0.5 credits

Computer Science                   0-1                        Demonstrated proficiency at Level I

Total                                          18.5

Additional Course Work Required for College Preparation Program

19 TAC Chapter 75 Courses College Preparation Program

English/Language Arts              College Board Advanced Placement English Literature and Literature and
                                                     Composition could be substituted for English IV

Mathematics                               2 additional credits including Algebra II and Precalculus (or Trigonometry and either
                                                     Elementary Analysis or Analytic Geometry).

Science                                      One additional credit from Physical Science. Biology I and II, Chemistry I and II, or 
                                                    Physics I and II.

Fine Arts                                    1/2 credits

Specialty                                    N/A

Electives                                    2.5

Total                                          24.5

Additional Course Work Required for the Technical Preparation (Tech-Prep) Program

19 TAC Chapter 75 Courses Tech-Prep Preparation Program

English/Language Arts            Substitutions for English IV as required for a specific Tech-Prep program (e.g.
                                                   Research /Technical Writing, Business Communications, Introduction to Speech
                                                   Communications, Public Speaking)

Mathematics                            A minimum of one additional credit as required by a specific Tech-Prep program, or
                                                  Algebra II. Precalculus, Trigonometry, Elementary Analysis, Analytic Geometry, or
                                                  advanced Mathematics for Business. An additional (4th) math credit may be required.

Science                                    A minimum of one additional credit may be required for a specific Tech-Prep
                                                  program.

Fine Arts                                  As appropriate.

Specialty                                 A specified coherent sequence of technology courses required for a specific Tech-
                                                 Prep program.

Electives                                 As appropriate.

Total 24.5

Resolution of Transfer Disputes for Lower Division Courses

The following procedures (as outlined in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rule Chapter 5, Subchapter A, §5.393) shall be followed by public institutions of higher education in resolving disputes involving transfer of TSC lower-division courses.

If a public institution of higher education does not accept course credit earned by a student at another institution of higher education, the receiving institution shall give written notice to the student and the other institution that transfer of the course credit is denied. A receiving institution shall also provide written notice of the reasons for denying credit for a particular course or set of courses at the request of the sending institution.

A student who receives notice as specified above may dispute the denial of credit by contacting a designated official at either the sending or receiving institution.

The two institutions and the student shall attempt to resolve the transfer of the course credit in accordance with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules and/or guidelines.

If the transfer dispute is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student or the sending institution within 45 days after the date the student received written notice of the denial, the institution that denies the course credit for transfer shall notify the Commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board of its denial and the reasons for the denial.

The Commissioner of Higher Education or the Commissioner's designee shall make the final determination about a dispute concerning the transfer of course credit and give written notice of the determination to the involved student and institutions.

Questions concerning the evaluation of transfer credit should be referred to the Enrollment Office.

UTB/TSC students who have difficulty having the UTB/TSC credit accepted at other Texas public institutions should contact the Director of Enrollment at UTB/TSC for initiation of the transfer dispute resolution process.

Change of Address

A student's current mailing and permanent address must be correctly listed on records. Any change in the mailing address should be promptly reported to the Enrollment Office. Students will not be excused from penalties on grounds of not receiving communications if the new address was not reported.

Change of Name

Records of students' names are based upon the application for admission. Subsequent changes of name should be promptly reported to the Enrollment Office.

Students wishing to change their name on their permanent academic records must present the appropriate documentation. To correct spelling or proper sequence of a name, students must present copies of their birth certificate. To change to a new legal name, students must present the proper name change form and a copy of the signed court order showing the authorized new legal name. To assume a husband's name, students must present the proper name change form and a copy of the marriage certificate. Female students who wish to discontinue the use of a married name and resume the use of a maiden name, or another name, must present a divorce decree or signed court order showing court restoration of the maiden, or other name. Former students (not currently enrolled) may change a legal name to a new legal name by following the above procedure.

Copies

Students may have copies of their educational records. These copies will be made at the student's expense at rates authorized in the Texas Public Information Act except that official transcripts will be $1.00. Official copies of academic records or transcripts will not be released for students who have a delinquent financial obligation or financial "hold" at UTB/TSC.

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University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
2001 - 2002 Undergraduate Catalog
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