Special to the NEWS
The University of Texas System Board of Regents has approved the expansion of spirit programs and authorized the creation of marching bands and football and women’s swimming and diving programs for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
The approval came Thursday, Nov. 17, and includes an increase of the Intercollegiate Athletics Fee from $15 per credit hour to $26.25 per credit hour, as approved by the Fall 2021 student referendum. Funds generated by the fee increase allow for the expansion and addition of the following programs on UTRGV campuses:
• Spirit programs on both the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses.
• A Division I women’s swimming and diving program.
• A Division I FCS football program.
• Marching bands on both the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses.
The university held a press conference on Friday, Nov. 18, morning to update the campus community and public about the next steps for these new programs.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey said the addition of these programs is part of a bigger goal to expand and enhance the university’s campus life.
“Like I told the Board of Regents, our students deserve a traditional campus life experience, and this is an important step in the right direction,” Bailey said. “What’s exceptional about these specific campus life initiatives is that they represent academics, student life, and athletics. These areas are coming together to provide a better university experience for our students and our entire campus community.”
The increase in the intercollegiate athletics fee will be for new incoming students, starting Fall 2022 and beyond, and graduating students who return for another degree. Current students who remain within the UTRGV established Guaranteed Tuition and Fees program will not have to pay the fee increase. The increase will be reflected on students’ billing statements starting with registration for Academic Year 2023-2024.
More than 5,000 UTRGV students voted in Nov. 2021 in favor of the proposal to support programs aided by an increase in the intercollegiate athletics fee. Voter turnout was the largest to date for any UTRGV student vote.
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