Envisioning UTB/TSC in 2020

What is the Futures Commission?

The Futures Commission is a group of community leaders and UTB/TSC representatives who will focus on helping guide the University as it moves to its next level of excellence.

The Commission will be made up of six task forces of 30 to 50 people who will spend time helping our university leaders envision what the Community University of the future might look like.

What will the Futures Commission be doing?

The Futures Commission is charged with helping the University develop goals and priorities through 2020. The discussions will focus on the following and other ideas:

• the kind of academic programs that should be developed
• aspects of student life that should be expanded
• how recent property acquisitions should be integrated into the overall campus plan
• how continued growth should be financed
• how to increase external support for scholarships and research
• how expansion of workforce training and continuing education programs should occur

Why is UTB/TSC forming the Futures Commission?

While UTB/TSC has grown in enrollment, student services, graduates, and degree programs, we know that there is still much work to be done. Our community university can play a large role in that work for the region and the state.

Consider these statistics:

• During the last decade, the overall participation rate in Texas higher education declined from 5.3% to 4.9% of the total population. Without intervention, projections indicate that the rate will drop to 4.6 % by 2015, below the national average.
• Texas trails the average of the ten largest states as well as the national average in median household income. If the trend is not reversed, by the year 2030 the state will experience a $30-40 billion per year loss in annual household income.  
  • Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2002

In what other ways does the Futures Commission help UTB/TSC?

• Developing, with The University of Texas System, a Compact that prioritizes the goals and objectives of the university over the next two years
• Updating our Academic Strategic Plan to 2010
• Updating our Master Facilities Plan
• Preparing for the 2005 Legislative Session
• Preparing for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ reaffirmation of accreditation site visit will occur in 2007
• Texas Higher Education Coordination Board’s Closing the Gaps by 2015 program guides evaluation of progress for student graduation, development of programs of excellence, and increasing participation in health and science programs.

How can the local community become involved with the Futures Commission?

We are looking for individuals to serve on each of the six task forces we have established. Each delegate will spend time dreaming with us about what could be, and insuring that our plans reflect the needs of the region.

The inaugural meeting of the UTB/TSC Futures Commission was held November 19.

Delegates are asked to commit to attending five meetings, with one each in November, January, February, March and April. Delegates may still join the commission after the November meeting.

Contact information:

UTB/TSC Futures Commission
80 Fort Brown
Brownsville, Texas 78520
(956) 544-8201

For more information, contact Hector Castillo at the UTB/TSC President's Office at 983-7147 or send email to futures2020@utb.edu.

Task Forces

Academic Program

Campus Planning

Financial Planning

Fund and Friend Raising

Student Life

Workforce Training and Continuing Education
 

Executive Summaries

Academic Program

Campus Planning

Financial Planning

Fund and Friend Raising

Student Life

Workforce Training and Continuing Education