TSC, UTB CLOSE PROPERTY DEAL, TSC GETS $29 MILLION

(BROWNSVILLE) February 12, 2014 – Texas Southmost College and The University of Texas System
have finalized property agreements in anticipation of the separation of the campus that TSC and UT
Brownsville have shared for the past 20 years.
The property agreement between UT Brownsville and TSC physically defines both campuses and marks
the first time in 20 years that each institution will have its own identity. Under the agreement, which
follows a letter of intent signed in July 2013, the institutions exchanged, sold or leased both property and
buildings.
UT acquired about 51.5 acres from the joint campus; a long-term ground lease of about 18 acres from the
U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission; and the University Boulevard Classroom Building,
the University Boulevard Library and the Student Union Building. TSC students will continue to have full
access to the library.
As part of the transaction, UT conveyed to TSC the former National Guard Armory Building as well as
the Science, Engineering and Technology Building, which was constructed on land leased from TSC.
TSC also received a payment of just more than $29 million.
Additionally, UT is leasing several TSC buildings to serve as interim teaching and related facilities, while
TSC has leased space in UT Brownsville’s Life and Health Science Building. The agreement also calls
for cooperative use of parking lots and other ancillary agreements.
It is an agreement in which both campuses benefit, said UT System
Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D. The two higher education institutions that now adjoin each other along Ringgold Street near the Texas-Mexico border will always share the history, challenges and higher education successes in the lower Rio Grande Valley.
The UT System is in the process of establishing UT Rio Grande Valley, which will combine the assets
and resources of UT Brownsville and UT Pan American and establish South Texas’ first medical school.
UTRGV is expected to open in the fall of 2015, and its medical school is expected to open in 2016.
“We are grateful to the leadership of President Julieta Garcia and President Lily Tercero as we navigated
through the details of the property agreement,” Cigarroa said. “And our admiration and respect for UTB,
TSC, and the future UT-Rio Grande Valley will continue as we both focus on our mission of student
success and access.”
TSC and UT Brownsville will continue to collaborate with each other and will offer joint degrees until
both institutions receive independent accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools Commission on Colleges.
“This is all about the wisdom of the TSC Board of Trustees to enhance opportunity and improve services
in the communities we serve,” said TSC president Lily F. Tercero, “This is a long awaited, historic event,
envisioned and pursued by the TSC Board—and led by Board Chairman Francisco G. Rendon—to bring
back TSC as a fully comprehensive community college. Because of the Board’s quiet courage and
unyielding commitment, Cameron and Willacy Counties are now being served by a much needed, open-
door, affordable community college. As importantly, the Board’s vision of having a premier community
college, and a first-rate university, both on the same campus, is being fulfilled.”
"On a personal note,” she further stated, “it has been a pleasure to work with Chancellor Cigarroa,
Executive Vice Chancellor Pedro Reyes, and the UT System staff, in accomplishing the Trustee’s vision.
I believe it will always remain a highlight of my professional career, as the president of TSC, to be a part
of this remarkable and lasting change, to the benefit of our college, university and all the communities in
which we serve.”