Chancellor talks affordability, Brownsville campus concerns
Editor’s note:
Pulse magazine has a scheduled interview with Zerwas Nov. 11 to discuss his reflection of his visit to UTRGV. This story will be updated to include the chancellor’s interview.
Improvements for Brownsville students and affordability were among the topics discussed between University of Texas System Chancellor John Zerwas and UTRGV leadership, including the Student Government Association president, during his visit Thursday.
During his visit to the Edinburg campus, Zerwas met with members of the Student Government Association (SGA), Spirit Program, Trailblazers and the UTRGV School of Medicine.
According to SGA President Juan Espinoza, one of the main concerns raised during the meeting was ensuring Brownsville students are represented.
“[Zerwas] highlighted how they are bringing more programs to the Brownsville campus, such as … more engineering classes,” Espinoza said.
He added students from Brownsville have voiced the need for more representation, events and classes to reduce travel between campuses.
“What I think will make [Brownsville] students feel a bit more heard is having that increase of programs for their education,” he said.
Affordability was an additional topic discussed. Espinoza said Zerwas is working with UT System institutions to help students get the funding they need, especially for students who want to attend law school or medical school.
“One of the things [Zerwas] mentioned, too, is how Texas is one of the cheaper places you can get an education in,” he said.
Espinoza added the chancellor expressed his No. 1 concern throughout UT System institutions is ensuring low costs so as many students as possible can afford an education.
Zerwas, who was appointed UT System chancellor in August, leads 13 academic and health institutions that serve more than 256,000 students, including leading research universities and nationally top-ranked universities, according to the Office of the Chancellor website.
The chancellor also met with UTRGV President Guy Bailey and his executive team, said Patrick Gonzales, vice president for University Marketing and Communications.
“The first question he asked was, ‘How can [UT] System help make the university … and students successful?’” Gonzales said.
He added the chancellor also visited the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center and the Center for Urban Ecology in McAllen, which works in collaboration with UTRGV.
“It was just good to have [Zerwas] introduce himself in this new role, ask questions and just engage in great discussions about what the future holds for higher education in Texas, with the [UT] System and UTRGV,” Gonzales said.
