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The “Task Force of the Future,” a collaboration between the city of Brownsville and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley launched last year to strengthen the university’s presence in Brownsville and Cameron County, has released its initial report, which features a number of “actionable recommendations.”
Among them: Continuing to reduce student travel between Brownsville and Edinburg through the use of “student transportation data, course demands dashboards and academic scheduling to expand course offerings in Brownsville,” according to the city.
The report recommends adding civil and mechanical engineering courses in Brownsville so students are able to complete all four years of those undergraduate programs without having to travel to Edinburg to take classes. Already, the university has committed to building an engineering campus in north Brownsville in order to support that goal.
In fact, the report calls for the continued investment in academic facilities and equipment in Brownsville, including lab space, classrooms, faculty offices, machine shop space and modular buildings to support expanded academic programs.
The recommendations likewise include exploring additional health programs/clinical sites in the city via a feasibility study “aligned with local high school health pathways and UTRGV early-access programs,” according to the city.
The report also recommends pursuing “stronger student housing strategies” in the form of additional housing space and possible conversion of existing space to house students as demands grows.
Collaboration on athletic events and expanded intramural and club sport opportunities, including the Vaqueros Sports Park Series, use of city facilities for university sporting events and evaluation of future recreation needs is another key recommendation.
Finally, the report calls for continued collaboration between the city and UTRGV through annual reports, semi-annual meetings of the Task Force, joint grant opportunities and shared master planning efforts “to ensure progress is measured and sustained,” according to the city.
Brownsville Mayor John Cowen Jr., who initiated the conversation with UTRGV after Brownsville’s graduation was moved to Edinburg in 2024, told The Brownsville Herald last Friday that he views the Task Force’s initial recommendations as “wonderful start.”
“It allows us to build upon it as we progress,” he said. “There are going to be initiatives that will come out of that that will continue to adapt and evolve. I think we’re looking to partner on a higher level.”
Cowen said the Task Force was the culmination of community demand for a “higher level of advocacy” for the Brownsville campus.
“I think UTRGV has been a great thing for the Valley,” he said. “Obviously it’s brought more funding through the permanent university fund, they’ve been able to create more programs, and provided higher education at a very affordable rate, so I think overall its been very, very positive.”
On the other hand, Brownsville has seen graduation, varsity sports and other programs relocated to Edinburg, with local students having to regularly spend hours traveling between the two campuses. It all contributed to a sense of disparity between the campuses, following the creation of UTRGV and merger of the two campuses, Cowen said.
While he doesn’t believe it was intentional, he nevertheless felt “it was important to voice these concerns to the UTRGV administration in a really constructive manner,” he said.
“I really appreciate the fact that they came to the table and really listened (and) understood,” Cowen said “And it was really a data-driven exercise as well, like … how many kids are really traveling. They didn’t really know. They had an idea. But now they started tracking people that took the bus to Edinburg.”
Based on that information, the university added more than 3,000 classroom seats in Brownsville this past semester, he said.
“It’s substantial, and I think when you talk to faculty, they have a feeling that they’re being listened to as well, so you’re starting to see that our Brownsville campus is getting more attention,” Cowen said.
As for a four-year engineering campus in Brownsville, it’s just logical considering SpaceX, the Port of Brownsville and Rio Grande LNG are in Cameron County, he said.
“That also was a great discussion,” Cowen said. “I think they were aware of the growth, but they didn’t realize the magnitude of what’s coming — just how much need there is for that and the fact that (UTRGV) needs to be here. They’re a big part of our future success. If we don’t have a higher ed presence here that’s providing those services for the jobs of the future, then we’re going to miss opportunities for our kids.”
The Task Force reported noted UTRGV investments, including planned investments, of more than $514 million in Brownsville and more than $621 million in Cameron County.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey said in a statement that the university is “deeply committed to student success across the Rio Grande Valley,” and that the report reflects UTRGV’s continued investment in Brownsville and Cameron County.
“We are proud of the progress already made, including expanded academic programs, increased class seats, significant capital investments and new opportunities for students to engage, learn and grow,” he said.
“Our partnership with the city of Brownsville will help us continue building a university experience that supports students from enrollment to graduation and beyond, while strengthening the talent pipeline and workforce needed to support the city’s continued growth.”
The full Task Force report can be found at brownsvilletx.gov and utrgv.edu.