A clash of two cultures? Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s football team would move up a division after a merger. TAMU-CC doesn’t have a football team, but it did just start NCAA beach volleyball!
Talks to merge Texas A&M University’s campuses in Corpus Christi and Kingsville ended this week, after an uproar from students on both campuses and local officials in the Coastal Bend. The announcement came from chancellor John Sharp on Wednesday, Nov. 16 after plans for a public hearing were set for Monday in Corpus Christi.
“I don't think it is viable right now," Sharp told a reporter from The Texas Tribune. “I think it should be, and I think it is something that should happen. But I have said from the beginning that, if we can't convince the community, it isn't going to happen.”
Merging Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with its Kingsville partner 36 miles away would “produce the most powerful university in all areas south of Austin and west of College Station,” Sharp told the university board of regents at a meeting Nov. 10.
Regents heard a presentation on the formation of what would be called Texas A&M University-South Texas at a meeting in College Station. The proposal would have a kept both campuses, but The Islanders, would become Javelinas.
Combining the two student bodies would create a university of 23,000 students, positioning it to be classified as the A&M system’s first emerging research institution. It would create the 12th-largest university in Texas by enrollment and make it eligible for millions of additional dollars from the state.
According to the presentation, it might also add a Division I football program. Currently, TAMU-CC competes in Division I NCAA sports except for football. TAMU-Kingsville hosts a Division II football team.
"We have an opportunity — and, in my opinion, the last opportunity — to produce an amazing university for the students of South Texas — and really, for all of Texas," Sharp said Nov. 10.
Regents were split on the ideas.
"As a great scholar once told me, the devil is in the details," regent Robert Albritton said. "And I personally think this has got a lot of devil in it."
A petition signed by about 60 students titled “Tell TAMU System and Board of Regents that we say ‘NO’ to a merger of TAMUK and TAMU-CC” was presented. Hundreds of signatures have been added since the meeting.
“A merger of these institutions would be devastating to local traditions, partnerships and identities,” reads the petition. “… Employees will lose jobs in both communities, students will face tuition increases and the communities will lose important area identities.”
The proposed merger wouldn’t happen for another 10-15 years, but some action would need to be taken before the state legislature convenes in 2017, Sharp said. The first step would be for the board of regents to approve a resolution expressing the intent to merge. The legislature would have to approve the move, similar to action taken to merge the University of Texas at Brownsville and the University of Texas-Pan American. The two became the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley in 2015.
OCTOBER MEETING
Before the presentation at the board of regents, an informal meeting was held in Corpus Christi on Oct. 5. Key details of a possible merger were discussed between 17 local leaders, including Sharp, Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, president Steven Tallant, former TAMU-CC president Bob Ferguson, state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. and Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal.
Written testimony by Corpus Christi businessman Philip Skrobarczyk gave details of the Oct. 5 meeting.
“I understand Dr. Tallant has informed his coaches and administrative staff that he has a commitment from Chancellor Sharp that the main campus and administrative offices will be in Kingsville, Texas,” reads the statement. “Additionally, Dr. Tallant has told his coaches that we will become TAMU-South Texas Javelinas. The identity of the Islanders will be gone.”
In response to the Nov. 10 meeting, the local legislative delegation, including Hinojosa, state Rep. Todd Hunter and state Rep. Abel Herrero, released a joint statement declaring they had no plans to introduce legislation to merge the two universities.
“We will not support any legislation or proposal that would adversely affect or be harmful or detrimental to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi or the Corpus Christi community,” reads the statement. “There are no plans at this time to file any legislation.”
Sharp said he will hold a public meeting at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21 to discuss the proposed merger. The meeting will be held at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds. Sharp said he will remain at the fairgrounds to answer questions until 7 p.m. if necessary.
