Issue 11-10-16

Page 1

Thursday, November 10, 2016

southtexannews.com

Volume 91, Issue 11

Texas A&M University - Kingsville

The South Texan @TheSouthTexan

/TheSouthTexan

Presidential Election Results: Trump/Pence Pop. vote

59,267,341

Electoral College 279

Clinton/ Kaine Pop. vote

59,462,301

Electoral College 228 Kleberg County District Attorney John Hubert - R* Nathan Fugate - D Sheriff Juan Gonzalez - D Richard Kirkpatrick - R*

5,076 4,281 3,714 5,656

District 43 State Rep. J.M. Lozano - R 5,635 Marisa Yvette Garcia-Utley - D 3,701 District 34 State Rep. Filemon Vela - D 4,758 Rey Gonzalez Jr. - R 4,458 County Court-at-Law Christian Pineda - R 4,359 Jaime Carrillo - D* 4,855 Pct. 1 County Commissioner David Rosse - R* 1,666 Mario Mendietta - D 1,090 Pct. 3 County Commissioner Roy Cantu - D 1,773 Pct. 1 Constable Bill Hack - D Matthew Walbeck - R*

1,293 1,345

Pct. 2 Constable Omar Rosales - D

1,520

Pct. 3 Constable Grace Moya Garcia - D

1,639

Pct. 4 Constable Amando Vidal - D

1,586

@TheSouthTexan

Merger talk raises concerns

Crystal Zamarron Editor-in-Chief @CrystalSoTex

Texas A&M University System regents are scheduled to discuss merging the campuses of Texas A&M universities in Corpus Christi and Kingsville at an upcoming Board of Regents meeting, Thursday, Nov. 10, in College Station. Dr. Steven Tallant, Texas A&M-Kingsville president, will be presenting on the aspects of the merger at the meeting. If regents approve a merger of the two campuses, legislation would need to be introduced during the upcoming state legislative session, which begins Jan. 10. Tallant released two statements to faculty, staff and students suggesting that he will keep them informed as this merger continues. “As many long-term Coastal Bend residents know, this type of discussion is not new. Leadership changes at either campus often spur this type of talk,” Tallant said, without elaborating on what specific leadership change he was referring to, though he was likely talking about TAMU-CC President Dr. Flavius Killebrew’s September retirement announcement. “I understand that the idea of a merger causes some concerns, and you may have questions about the future. The only way a merger would happen is if it strengthened and enhanced the university experience and prestige in academics, research, and athletics.” Tallant reiterated that any such change would need legislative approval. He also said he did not have further information to share, but would release any new details upon his return. “I will keep you informed of any developments. It is too soon to know what may happen, so I encourage everyone to stay focused on

TAMU-CC ISLANDERS

TAMUK JAVELINAS our students and our immediate goals. Whatever happens, I remain committed to serving our students and our community,” the president said. Legislation seeking a merger of the two campuses could be pre-filed as early as Nov. 14, according to the Legislative Reference Library of Texas website. Both houses of the legislature would need to approve the merger by the legislature’s close in May. Merging the two A&M campuses would create a new university with a combined enrollment of more than 20,000 students. “I don’t really like the idea, I kind of like how Kingsville is its own individual thing, it has its own kind of identity, away from Corpus and I’m from Corpus so I kind of like being away from where I grew up my entire life,” said Claudia Flores, freshman. The thoughts of the merger

South Texas State Teachers College (STSTC) opens its first session with 276 students

Kingsville selected as site for “normal” school aimed to train teachers and further education in South Texas region

1917

Texas A&I University officially changes its name to Texas A&M University-Kingsville

1967

1993

1973

Ward Island becomes home to University of Corpus Christi (UCC), affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. 312 students enrolled

1977

Texas A&I University at Corpus Christi opens on Sept. 4, 1973, to 969 students as an upper-level institution

if the University gets new curriculum and classes. That would be beneficial, but it may cause problem in the departments and depending on how they are merging may cause problems in class sizes and parking among other things. I am not really sure how I feel about it,” said Kali Kennedy, senior. A bigger university, the senator said, would better compete for the state’s limited education resources against other Texas universities. “It’s a win-win for this area,” the state senator told KRIS-TV. “Educational opportunities, additional research, more programs, and increased funding.” A TAMUK spokesperson was not available to comment late Wednesday. A call to local State Rep. J.M. Lozano’s office was unanswered as well. On Saturday, Nov. 5, Tallant spoke with the Javelina Alu-

Texas College of Arts and Industries becomes officially known as Texas A&I University.

1925

1947

emerged last week when State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa broke the news on a KRIS-TV (Corpus Christi) interview.Hinojosa is no stranger to the complexities of merging separate higher-education institutions into one new entity. The Democrat from McAllen was involved in the merger of UT-Pan American and UT Brownsville into the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, which was completed in 2015. He told KRIS-TV he would like to see a similar merger between the two South Texas A&M campuses. “Having gone through a similar merger down in the Rio Grande Valley, I know that [there are] always some issues that need to be worked out and discussed. But the reality is the benefits greatly outweigh any negatives,” Hinojosa told KRIS-TV. “It may be a good idea

mi Association. On Monday, Nov. 7 Tallant spoke with the Executive Board of the Student Government Association, Faculty Senate, Staff Council, the academic deans, and athletics department, deliberating the benefits and risks. At those meetings he said he was not aware of the merger until an hour before the news broke out. Today, Nov. 10 shortly after 1 p.m. President Tallant will present before the A&M System Board. The meeting will be livestreamed at: https:// www.tamus.edu/regents/livestreams/ You can also find Thursday’s meeting agenda at: https://assets.system.tamus. edu/files/bor/pdf/AgendaArchive/2016-11-10/November10,2016%20BOR%20 SCHEDULE.pdf Links will be available at all social media of The South Texan.As news arrives, check out southtexannews.com/ for updates

1993

Texas Legislature changes school’s name to Corpus Christi State University

A&M Board of Regents renames CCSU; school becomes Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi

INSIDE STORIES

Graphic by Crystal Zamarron

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INDEX #JAVLIFE............................................2

Can You Build It?

100th anniversary

Volleybal final

Veteran editorial

CAMPUS NEWS...................................3

Results!

for ROTC program

road games!

column

See Page 2!

See Page 3!

See Page 5!

ED./OPINION.....................................4

See Page 4!

SPORTS..............................................5 AD.....................................................6


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