By Juan Montoya
Once again the big shots from the University of Texas System have come down from Olympus lightning bolts flashing, and thunder bolts crashing.
This time the Top Dog, Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa was at the editorial boardroom of the Brownsville Herald bemoaning the fact that the trustees at Texas Southmost College are not bending over backwards (or forward, maybe) to give the UT System what it needs: the college district's buildings and real estate.
"UT is not in the position to be a tenant of TSC going forward," a transition document on the UTB-TSC separation states. "If TSC is unable to make a decision on facilities to offer to UTB, UTB must proceed, and TSC will lose an opportunity to have facilities considered by UTB for purchase."
You've got to give these flatlanders from Austin credit for their nerve.
If I remember correctly, most of the UT buildings were bought and paid for by local district taxpayers through bond issues and other fees. And as a far as the ownership of the real estate where the disputed buildings are at, who does UT think owns that?
"We're the only buyer," said one Barry Burgdorf, a UT System vice-chancellor and general counselor...The question is how do we get it...We need to strike a deal."
Well, for starters, how about paying the back rent owed to TSC district taxpayers that was agreed to through the "partnership?" If we remember correctly, that amounts to more than $10 million and is accruing as we speak.
This Burgdorf also says that if TSC keeps the buildings the district also inherits the debt associated with them. So what's new?
A conservative estimate indicates that in the 20-year span that UTB has been sucking the TSC district, it has siphoned off about $1 billion in "transfers" from the community college. Now they want to horse trade to get a bargain basement deal on the property and buildings as well?
Then, tellingly, this same Burgdorf lays bare UTB's hand: "We'r e the only buyer. We need to have that space by 2015."
So, in other words, you don't have a hand. And if you use the words "
we need," it indicates that you're playing from a weak position to dictate terms. Who do these people think they're dealing with?
No, it's not the same facilitators of the past. You know, pliant Texas Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., subservient State Rep. Rene Oliveira, Rose Mary Cardenas. Chester Gonzalez, Robert Robles, David Oliveira, Juliet Garcia, et. al
Instead, they should realize that across the table – as equals – are seated a majority of very different TSC trustees the likes of Adel Garza, Kiko Rendon, Trey Mendez and Rene Torres and our president Lily Tercero.
Once again the big shots from the University of Texas System have come down from Olympus lightning bolts flashing, and thunder bolts crashing.
This time the Top Dog, Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa was at the editorial boardroom of the Brownsville Herald bemoaning the fact that the trustees at Texas Southmost College are not bending over backwards (or forward, maybe) to give the UT System what it needs: the college district's buildings and real estate.
"UT is not in the position to be a tenant of TSC going forward," a transition document on the UTB-TSC separation states. "If TSC is unable to make a decision on facilities to offer to UTB, UTB must proceed, and TSC will lose an opportunity to have facilities considered by UTB for purchase."
You've got to give these flatlanders from Austin credit for their nerve.
If I remember correctly, most of the UT buildings were bought and paid for by local district taxpayers through bond issues and other fees. And as a far as the ownership of the real estate where the disputed buildings are at, who does UT think owns that?
"We're the only buyer," said one Barry Burgdorf, a UT System vice-chancellor and general counselor...The question is how do we get it...We need to strike a deal."
Well, for starters, how about paying the back rent owed to TSC district taxpayers that was agreed to through the "partnership?" If we remember correctly, that amounts to more than $10 million and is accruing as we speak.
This Burgdorf also says that if TSC keeps the buildings the district also inherits the debt associated with them. So what's new?
A conservative estimate indicates that in the 20-year span that UTB has been sucking the TSC district, it has siphoned off about $1 billion in "transfers" from the community college. Now they want to horse trade to get a bargain basement deal on the property and buildings as well?
Then, tellingly, this same Burgdorf lays bare UTB's hand: "We'r e the only buyer. We need to have that space by 2015."
So, in other words, you don't have a hand. And if you use the words "
we need," it indicates that you're playing from a weak position to dictate terms. Who do these people think they're dealing with?No, it's not the same facilitators of the past. You know, pliant Texas Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., subservient State Rep. Rene Oliveira, Rose Mary Cardenas. Chester Gonzalez, Robert Robles, David Oliveira, Juliet Garcia, et. al
Instead, they should realize that across the table – as equals – are seated a majority of very different TSC trustees the likes of Adel Garza, Kiko Rendon, Trey Mendez and Rene Torres and our president Lily Tercero.
Now we find out that TSC and UTB were never considered equals under the "partnership" charter. UTB, we are now told, was always the "parent" institution, keeping its accreditation, while TSC, the "unit(?)," will now have to recover it after 20 years of living under the UT System umbrella and subsidizing its growth through its taxing district.
Cigarroa and Burgdorf can continue to blow smoke at the Herald's editorial staff ( I'm surprised any of them are still in Brownsville, or were they?) until they're blue in the face.
We're still waiting for that "firm commitment" from the UT System to bring their own money down here and build a world-class four-year institution and leave our community assets alone. If they were really committed they wouldn't continue to try to dispossess our community of anything. Don't they feel they have a responsibility to treat us along the border just as they treat other communities in the UT System?
Cigarroa and Burgdorf can continue to blow smoke at the Herald's editorial staff ( I'm surprised any of them are still in Brownsville, or were they?) until they're blue in the face.
We're still waiting for that "firm commitment" from the UT System to bring their own money down here and build a world-class four-year institution and leave our community assets alone. If they were really committed they wouldn't continue to try to dispossess our community of anything. Don't they feel they have a responsibility to treat us along the border just as they treat other communities in the UT System?
28 comments:
If UTB is going to play politics, then TSC should offer the buildings to other higher ed institutions similar to the one in Harlingen. In Harlingen, you have different colleges/universities occupying space at that one campus even UTB does the same. TSC should follow that Harlingen model.
The animas, name calling, personal conflict and petty politics represented in this blog piece, is what will kill TSC. Local folks just some seem able to put all of that crap aside long enough to be a good job of seperating the schools.
TSC's worse enemy's are it's biggest supporters. Their hatred for Juliet will backfire in the death of TSC. Talk about a bunch of dumb ass idiots! Like Pogo Possum said.."We have met the enemy and it is us."
El Pinche Gringo
The "operative" word from the Chancellor's comments is that he is upset that TSC doesn't "GIVE" the UT System what it wants. The partnership failed because it wasn't a "partnership"....it was Juliet using local taxing to benefit herself and UT System. Robles, Ms. Kardenas, David Oliviera, Eddie Lucio and Rene Oliviera are just following along behind Juliet; in her path. No brainer....TSC should hold tough and UT should pay rent....including the $12 in back rent that UT owes TSC.
Give it up with the 10 millinon in back rent. Read the paper work, the debt is owed by the State appropiations, not UT System, that was agreed by TSC during the partnership. Stop misleading the people. The real issue is that TSC is folling behind on the timeline, they need to hire about 800 people, faculty and staff and start teaching classes by Fall of 2013. Time is running out, they seem that they do not know what to do.
TSC is not running out of time they have until August of 2015.
Why don't all the TSC hater use their energy on something other than try to get UTB to take advantage of TSC. They just hate TSC because they could not have their way with TSC in the first place. The UTB supporters should take on a real fight and work to get UTB in the Perminant University Fund (PUF)rather than wasting their time pushing around TSC.
Texas A&M-Brownsville
UT in every other major Texas has had to buy the real estate or had donors giving the real estate !
TSC should wait until JP Begum takes office and have her issue her first ORDER of possession to UT and JULIET'S residence !
IF Senator Lucio or State Rep Olivarea wants to be GOVENOR OF TEXAS, then pass a law giving the real estate to UT citing a national emergency !
UT is bluffing like a deadbeat tenant and has all the excuses why the $ 10 million back rent cant be paid !
EXCUSE 1 - Juliet needs a raise.
EXCUSE 2 -Mack Brown needs a raise.
EXCUSE 3 - The property floods.
EXCUSE 4 -Cigaroa needs a new home.
EXCUSE 5 - Perry needs an outhouse.
EXCUSE 6 - After Dec 22 world ends.
EXCUSE 7 - Aggies also owe UT $ 10m
EXCUSE 8 -The $ 10m ck in the mail.
EXCUSE 9 - UT crying "indian giver"
It takes two years for the certification. Tsc needs to be operational and teach classes by Aug 2013.
TSC does not have the funding to run the Arts center, two libraries, two gyms. TSC needs to sell some of the building to UTB to be able to lower tuition.
It is time UT Austin and UTB officials reveal the total truth over the lack of funds for the campus in Brownsville Texas
UT Austin knows how to keep under wraps the true obstacles and limits a stand alone UT Brownsville campus is faced with.
So the UT guy Cigarolla has to carefully select his announcement to TSC taxpayers .... U TSC voters got screwed once and Dr Juliet says another round of ......... will only hurt a little.
So get ready to take it again TSC voters ........
afterall we are all Texans ! !
I have a degree from the University of Texas at Brownsville. I have a law degree from Texas Tech Law School. I was able to transition from TSC to Utb through the "no admissions requirement" of the former Partnership. Now thru mismanagement of the current confederate board that opportunity that was afforded to the likes of myself has been killed for other students. What were you thinking Trey? Was it all about power? Did you not really understand your role of trustee? Was your stewardship compromised by the out dated thinking of Rene Torres or was it just that you that you were misguided by some character flaw. I cannot believe that I supported your candidacy by voting for you while all along I was voting for the destruction of educational opportunities for students with the same demographics that you come from. I hope that somehow you can redeem yourself and that one day you feel proud of yourself once again. Que lastima amigo.
For those that do not read the comments in the Herald, I am re-posting mine here:
"TSC doesn’t have a choice, and we don’t have a choice," he said. "We can’t be completely dependent on TSC."
Excuse me, but don't you think maybe, just maybe, this should have been thought out on the part of UT System BEFORE setting all this separation in motion? As for TSC not having a choice, that is NOT a very nice thing to say to us in light of having created the situation they presently find themselves in. Bull and bluster is not help further endear them to the community and the newly emancipated TSC. It is not TSC scurrying around trying to get something for nothing here. I want the UT System to publish how much hard cash THEY transferred into the Partnership that was spent HERE over the last 19 years. The people of our area would be far less sympathetic to their demands.
As for trading, lets do it apples to apples, ok? They want hard capital assets, so what hard capital assets are they willing to offer in return? That is a fair trade.
We have already seen what happened to the debt level of our community and our students when their services include any sort of management, so I don't really think that I would support trading management services for capital assets. In short, quit making demands and start making offers. If UT System is truly committed to our area, that type of good faith action is what I would expect IF they are serious.
That has a really nice ring to it.
Dude, you need to learn how to spell
As of today (April 5) TSC has no programs, no faculty, no HR department, and seemingly no plans. For all the time Tercero has been here on the ground, there is nothing to show for it, except frustration and fear among the faulty and staff who are waiting to be shit canned by UTB. She has not been in communication with any of the Departments, deans or chairs. Nothing from her but silence. She came into town riding a wave of good will, but she is rapidly pissing all of that away. Either the Board of Trustees are tying her hand with micro-managment or her competentcy is questionable. She is rapidly loosing support of those folks she needs to start of TSC again. So, I would say that time is running out, at least for her.
@ law degree from Texas Tech Law School
Any student will be able to seamlessly transition from TSC to UTB as long as they make the required grades. After graduating from UTB they can go on to Texas Tech Law School or any school they can get accepted to if they have the required grades and test scores. As with life, higher education is not much different, anything worth having takes some effort and sacrifice to attain. All of the opportunities you had are still available to everyone but now the UTB level of excellance is now being raised. If you do not like this then you must be one of those parents that wants to have the kids soccer games without keeeping score! The value of a UTB degree will be worth more now than when you got it because it will take more hard work to get it. It is great that UTB is moving up to the next level. About time!
Tercero was hired because she had no dick and the color of her skin was the right shade for the job. She was not hired because of competency. That was an afterthought. Julieta is running circles around her and the Infamous Four TSC Trustees - Kiko, Rene, Trey, and Adela.
TSC's President and Board's silence is deafening..
UT System's visit and visibility of Dr. Cigarroa in our community speaks volumes. UT System administrators are willing to meet with faculty and staff and answer questions.. They come from Austin and where is Dr. Tercero? How are Adela, Trey, and Kiko calming fears.. Where are TSC's plans and timelines?? Looks like TSC's Fab 4 got bored. What happened Cheezmeh?? Where is the deserved criticism for the lackluster movement of TSC?? Oh I forgot....It's "Blame everything on Dr. Garcia". Tercero and Fab 4 can do no wrong..
Waiting waiting waiting... Trey??? Kiko???? Saint Adela???..
The talk of town is tha Dr. Tercero was picked over the more experienced candidates for TSC president because she is the one that the trustees could boss around. Nobody understands the lack of action.
@April 5, 2012 11:31 AM
And we should believe all of your statements because you are?
You should know that creating facts by proclamation does not work.
TSC/Pan American graduate
You know, this is pretty serious point in Brownsville's future: There are no great cities that have no university. So if the complainers here are trying to chase off UT you have to wonder what vision they have for this town...and if you, readers, share it.
The ignorance about how higher education works, accreditation, funding, state law, yada, yada is stunning. And what stupid is, stupid does. Let these voices be the voice of the town and what you'll have in fifty years is going to be a pitiful, ugly, poor and sickly place that no one with any sense at all would want to live in.
We'll never get ahead by chopping off every offered hand to help us.
We need TSC, surely. But without UTB this is forever to be a dusty, dilapidated version of Harlingen 1950. (Harlingen 2020 will be the site of a UT Medical School where Brownsville gente will take the VTC to work the night shift cleaning bed pans)
It is up to Brownsville now: Either join the orgy of self-pity and whining of this blog or stand up on two pegs and work for positive change....and realize that our best and only outside help has come from UT. No one else from the north even knows we're here.
UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa, in comments at an editorial board meeting of The Brownsville Herald, acknowledged the difficulty surrounding the splitting of UTB-TSC.
I am still trying to get my head around the part where they are at an editorial board meeting of THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD. What's next? "T-Mobile announces closing at a Luke Furia staff meeting"?
Dr. Tercero's job is NOT to meet with Departments at UTB, For one, that would be interfering with the operation and direction of the University. Secondly, she has an awful lot of rebuilding from scratch to do that was none of her doing in the first place. Now if some of the university people would show the same courtesy.....
Hey, Juan, what do you hear about the elections in May. Any polls going on. Very quiet....possibly the quiet before the storm. What does the RRUN RRUN tell us?????
Here is something to consider. UTB has informed the faculty that it will not register new students in the fall(2012)for two year programs that TSC has not said they will take. Registration starts in a few short months. With no new students there will not be enough students for the classes to "make" in the fall in these two year programs. That would in effect kill those programs at the end of May this year. There is no communication from TSC about what programs will be taken over from UTB. They have only a few short weeks to shit or git off the pot. It looks like they can't even find the pot. UTB has stated they will drop the entire College of Applied Technology. How can it be interfering by talking to those people have already been shown the door? Everybody there knows they will be fired from UTB yet Dr. Third doesn't talk to them. Students are asking questions about the future of their programs, and faculty has nothing to tell them. The clock has all but run out and the indecision will result in faculty and students leaving that can't be recovered, when TSC gets their shit together if that ever happens.
And this bozo Ted Hasse wants to be a college trustee? Good grief here we go again. What a nut case !
Those of you who are still whining need to listen to Tad. As it happens, he has got it right. A certain amount of angst and self pity is understandable, but it is time to put on our "big boy/girl pants" and step up to the plate to ensure the success of both TSC and UTB. The Board has a much harder task than that of UTB or UTSystem; expectations that they were just going to waive their magic wands have always been out of line. The proof will appear in 2013 one way or another.
"And this bozo Ted Hasse wants to be a college trustee? Good grief here we go again. What a nut case !"
Go back to your rent subsidized hovel in Fort Worth, you never was, irrelevant, shit stain.
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