Texas State University System Secures More Than $60 Million for Sul Ross State University
Record Investment Includes $59.5 Million for Facilities at Rio Grande College and Alpine
(AUSTIN) – The Texas State University System has received more than $60 million in state support for Sul Ross State University, including an historic investment of more than $59 million for capital projects in the university’s two service regions. The funding, secured by TSUS leadership during the 2021 legislative sessions, includes:
- $33.1 million for multi-purpose education buildings in the Rio Grande College (RGC) service area
- $26.4 million toward renovations of Fine Arts Buildings in Alpine
- $1 million in recurring state general revenue support to enhance the university’s student success initiatives
“This funding for Sul Ross represents an historic investment in South and West Texas and will go very far to help give our students the tools needed to prepare them for meaningful careers in Texas’ robust workforce,” said Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan. “I commend the Texas State University System for continuing to make Sul Ross a priority, and for laying out a thoughtful process to ensure the best use of these funds.” TSUS institutions will receive a combined $422.6 million in capital project support under Senate Bill 52, the capital construction assistance bill passed by the Legislature in the third special session of 2021.
The Texas State University System will engage a leading higher education consultancy this month to meet with RGC faculty, staff, students, employers, community members and other key stakeholders to assess current and future educational and workforce needs in the Middle Rio Grande Region. As part of facility programming, the consultant will analyze data and strategic information to ascertain the best use of new infrastructure and other investments.
“The historic level of funding secured by TSUS will allow Rio Grande College to dramatically expand its own brick-and-mortar presence in the region, providing students with new, state-of-the-art classrooms, technology and support services to enhance their university experience,” said TSUS Chancellor Brian McCall. Rio Grande College currently leases facilities from its educational partner, Southwest Texas Junior College.
Sul Ross State University, with campuses in Alpine, Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Uvalde, has been a member of the Texas State University System since 1917. The system’s seven member institutions educate more than 87,000 students on 13 campuses from the Big Bend Region of Texas to the Gulf Coast.
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Contact: Mike Wintemute, Vice Chancellor for Marketing & Communications, (512) 463-4862
Online version: https://www.tsus.edu/newsroom/news-releases/release-020122.html
