|
1. A&M-Kingsville/A&I name debate heads to Austin
Senate Bill 2376--which calls for the name change from Texas A&M University- Kingsville to Texas A&I University - passed unanimously April 27. The legislation must now be approved by the House of Representatives. The legislation was filed in March, by State Rep. Tara Rios Ybarra (D-South Padre Island) and State Sen. Eddie Lucio (DBrownsville). Vocal Texas A&I alumni have long championed for a change back to A&I-- the name associated with the university for 60 years.
2.Tallant Is Inaugurated
Students, faculty and staff witnessed a historic day as university President Dr. Steven Tallant was officially inaugurated, February 20 at Jones Auditorium. Texas A&M University System Board of Regents selected Tallant as the next university president in September and officially took over Oct. 1. Tallant, a Texas native, previously served as the Vice Chancellor and Provost at University of Wisconsin -Eau Claire. In Febrary, the university officially welcomed Tallant in Februaruy.
3. Texas A&M System Audit
The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) audit on TAMUK was conducted last fall and pointed to various deficiencies in the operation of the university. According to TAMUK President, Steven Tallant, among the main university areas the report cited as being deficient are planning, leadership and human resources. The audit refered to weak areas across campus as “mediocore.” The audit also noted a lack of consistent leadership and vision for TAMUK, a non-communicative culture among faculty and staff, low salaries for faculty and poor planning and customer service. TAMUK scored a 4 on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being the highest, according to the report. TAMUK has since begun implementing a corrective plan to improve the university.
4. Students vote to increase fees
The Memorial Student Union Building will get a facelift in the next few years as a result of an increase in students fees. Ten percent of the student body voted in February to approve the $40 increase in Student Union fees that will fund renovations of the buildings. Students also approved a $3 dollar increase in the athletic fee, which will fund new women’s intercollegiate athletic programs including golf, tennis and swimming. In total. the Student Union fee increased to $80 and the athletics fee increased to $18.
5. Engineering at TAMUCC
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents unanimously approved a proposal for a mechanical engineer program for TAMU-CC, Jan. 22. "We don’t worry about the Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi starting classes for the mechanical engineering program,"said Texas A&M University- Kingsville President Dr. Steven Tallant. Tallant said the quality of TAMUK’s engineering program will help it overcome any dilemma it will face from the approval of a mechanical engineering program at neighboring Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. "We have a strong program at Frank H. Dotterweich, College of Engineering, in Kingsville and we need to maintain focus in having top quality here," Tallant said.
6. New Rec Center and Residence hall
7. Hurricane Ike
8. Death of Gene Upshaw
9. Obama-Mania
10. Bats@TAMUK
Photos and stories will be posted as soon as possible.