Editorial: UTRGV outreach to better serve eastern end of Valley better serves its population

When officials of the University of Texas System were promoting the idea of combining its Brownsville and Pan American campuses — and asking local governments for pledges of financial assistance — they insisted that the students and communities in their respective areas would continue to get the same attention, and resources, they had received from the stand-alone universities.

Over the past dozen years since the merger, however, some people have alleged that UTRGV has gone back on its promise of equally serving both sides of the Valley; some have even suggested that Cameron County, Brownsville and other cities on the east side rethink their financial commitment, questioning whether they’re getting their money’s worth.

The most recent blow came with last year’s announcement that commencement ceremonies no longer would be held in Brownsville, that students who attended that campus, and their families, would have to go to Edinburg in order to receive their degrees in person.

We trust that the recent memorandum of understanding between UTRGV and the city of Brownsville will help address some of those concerns.

Under the agreement, the university pledges to expand classes in Brownsville, reducing the need for students to drive to Edinburg for some of their classes. UTRGV also promises to better align course offerings to the needs of that area, which has industrial, maritime and space-related employment opportunities.

To be sure, the UT System has invested heavily in building infrastructure for its newest university and medical school, and it takes time to build all the facilities that eventually will complete both campuses — and satellites at other locations throughout the Valley. It’s also understandable that some features, such as sports venues, are best kept in one place.

We trust, however, that as time and resources allow, development of both campuses will be more equitable.

Such a commitment will better serve South Texas, which is still trying to catch up to the rest of the country after a long history of inadequate educational opportunity.

While UTRGV is rapidly building a reputation as a strong academic institution, its biggest attraction probably remains its affordability. A larger presence at the eastern end of the Valley will further that advantage by enabling students to stay home, reducing their need to drive across the Valley for certain classes. That will help cut their costs and offer them more time for studying instead of driving — not to mention reducing the risks they face by spending so much time on Valley highways.

A greater investment toward achieving those goals likely will pay off by giving students more of an incentive to enroll at UTRGV, and reduce obstacles to completing their studies and earning their degrees. That would improve university completion rates, and provide more degreed workers that can get better jobs, attract new business and improve their own, and the region’s, financial future.

The MOU suggests that university officials recognize the need to better serve its students in Cameron and Willacy counties. We look forward to seeing the fruits of that commitment.

The post Editorial: UTRGV outreach to better serve eastern end of Valley better serves its population appeared first on MyRGV.com.