Texas State University System Disputes Report Of Sul Ross Moving To New University System
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: November 2, 2012
SAN MARCOS -- Officials with the Texas State University System are denying reports that Sul Ross State University might be considering a switch to another university system.
The Big Bend Sentinel is reporting that several business leaders and officials in the Big Bend community are asking that the Alpine-based university switch over from the Texas State University System to the Texas Tech University System.
The proposals to switch university systems come as Sul Ross State University is seeing a decrease in enrollment and graduation rates.
The decreases -- which are partially due to the instant availability of lucrative jobs in the Permian Basin during the current oil boom -- has led to a Texas Legislature-mandated decrease in state funding for Sul Ross State University.
Angelo State University made a similar University System switch as the one being proposed in 2010. Angelo State University also switched from the Texas State University System to the Texas Tech University System.
However, Texas State University System Communications Director Mike Wintemeute tells Big 2 that no official at Sul Ross State University has officially mentioned, discussed, proposed or considered moving Sul Ross State University to another university system.
About 25 Big Bend community members met in Alpine last week to discuss the issue.
However, Texas State University System officials say they weren't invited to the meeting.
Several officials came to the meeting unannounced anyway.
Texas State University System officials say that contrary to other reports, no one dominated the discussion at the meeting.
Officials also say that several community members were pleased that the officials attended the meeting.
The Big Bend Sentinel is reporting that several business leaders and officials in the Big Bend community are asking that the Alpine-based university switch over from the Texas State University System to the Texas Tech University System.
The proposals to switch university systems come as Sul Ross State University is seeing a decrease in enrollment and graduation rates.
The decreases -- which are partially due to the instant availability of lucrative jobs in the Permian Basin during the current oil boom -- has led to a Texas Legislature-mandated decrease in state funding for Sul Ross State University.
Angelo State University made a similar University System switch as the one being proposed in 2010. Angelo State University also switched from the Texas State University System to the Texas Tech University System.
However, Texas State University System Communications Director Mike Wintemeute tells Big 2 that no official at Sul Ross State University has officially mentioned, discussed, proposed or considered moving Sul Ross State University to another university system.
About 25 Big Bend community members met in Alpine last week to discuss the issue.
However, Texas State University System officials say they weren't invited to the meeting.
Several officials came to the meeting unannounced anyway.
Texas State University System officials say that contrary to other reports, no one dominated the discussion at the meeting.
Officials also say that several community members were pleased that the officials attended the meeting.
