{{Short description|Public university in Edinburg, Texas, US}} {{Redirect|UTRGV}} {{Multiple issues| {{advert|date=September 2020}} {{Update|date=April 2025}} }} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox university | name = The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | former_names = Texas Southmost College (1930–1995)<br>Edinburg College (1932–1952)<br>Pan American College (1952–1971)<br>Pan American University (1971–1989)<br>Pan American University at Brownsville (1988–1989)<br>University of Texas Pan American (1989–2015)<br>University of Texas Pan American at Brownsville (1989–1991)<br>University of Texas at Brownsville (1991–2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utrgv.edu/_files/documents/about/history/utrgv-history-accreditation-milestones.pdf|title = UTRGV Accreditation History}}</ref> | image = UT Rio Grande Valley seal.svg | image_upright = 0.6 | academic_affiliation = {{hlist|Space-grant}} | motto = ''Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis'' (Latin) | mottoeng = "The cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy"<ref name=UTHistory>{{cite web|title=Seal of the University|url=https://www.utsystem.edu/board-of-regents/history/seal-university |website=University of Texas System|access-date=1 December 2014}}</ref> | established = June 14, 2013 (as UTRGV) | type = Public research university | endowment = $190.5 million (FY2024)<br />(UTRGV only)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook">{{cite web |url= https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/default/files/documents/publication/2025/ut-system-smartbook/smartbook-online-version-june-2025.pdf |title=Smartbook |date=June 2025 |publisher=University of Texas System |access-date=June 28, 2025 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250628203826/https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/default/files/documents/publication/2025/ut-system-smartbook/smartbook-online-version-june-2025.pdf |archive-date=June 28, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />$47.47 billion (FY2024)<br />(system-wide)<ref name=NACUBO>As of June 30, 2024. {{cite web |url=https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |title=U.S. and Canadian 2024 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2024 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY23 to FY24, and FY24 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student |date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) |access-date=February 12, 2025 |format=XLSX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212074654/https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |archive-date=February 12, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> | budget = $744.6 million (FY2025)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook" /> | president = Guy Bailey | provost = Luis H. Zayas | faculty = 1,797 (fall 2023)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook" /> | administrative_staff = 352 (fall 2024)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook" /> | total_staff = 6,178 (fall 2024)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook" /> | students = 35,812 (fall 2025)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook" /> | undergrad = 28,674 (fall 2024)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook" /> | postgrad = 5,207 (fall 2024)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook" /> | city = Edinburg, Texas | country = United States | coor = {{coord|26.304551|-98.174165|display=inline,title}} | campus = Midsize City | campus_size = {{convert|665|acre|km2}} | colors = {{Color box|#F05023}} Orange<br>{{Color box|#646469}} Gray<ref>{{cite web|title=UTRGV Color Palette|url=https://www.utrgv.edu/umc/_files/documents/umc/utrgv-brand-identity-and-style-guide.pdf|website=UTRGV.edu|access-date=March 6, 2024}}</ref> | nickname = Vaqueros | mascot = Vaqueros | sporting_affiliations = NCAA Division I – Southland (FCS, starting in 2025) | website = {{url|www.utrgv.edu}} | logo = University of Texas Rio Grande Valley logo.svg | parent = University of Texas System | logo_size = 250px | accreditation = SACS | free_label2 = Newspaper | free2 = ''The Rider'' | free_label = Other campuses | free = {{hlist|Brownsville|Harlingen|McAllen|Port Isabel|Rio Grande City|South Padre Island}} }} The '''University of Texas Rio Grande Valley''' ('''UTRGV''') is a public research university with its main campus in Edinburg, Texas, United States, and multiple other campuses throughout the Rio Grande Valley. It is the southernmost member of the University of Texas System. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley was created by the Texas legislature in 2013 after the consolidation of the University of Texas at Brownsville and the University of {{nowrap|Texas–Pan American}}.<ref>{{cite press release |first1=Jenny |last1=LaCoste-Caputo |first2=Karen |last2=Adler |url=https://utsystem.edu/news/2013/12/12/board-regents-votes-name-new-ut-south-texas-university-texas-rio-grande-valley |title=Board of Regents votes to name new UT in South Texas The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley |location=Austin, Texas |publisher=The University of Texas System Office of Public Affairs |date=December 12, 2013 |access-date=December 12, 2013}}</ref>
In the fall of 2025, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley enrolled 35,812 students, making it the ninth-largest university in the state of Texas and the fourth-largest (student enrollment) academic institution in the University of Texas system. In 2018, UTRGV was also one of the largest universities in the U.S. to have a majority Hispanic student population; 89.2%<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/default/files/documents/publication/2018/fast-facts-september-2018/fast-facts-09-2018.pdf|title=Fast Facts September 2018|website=www.utsystem.edu|access-date=2018-12-14|archive-date=2018-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215065810/https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/default/files/documents/publication/2018/fast-facts-september-2018/fast-facts-09-2018.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> of its students are Hispanic, virtually all of them Mexican Americans.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/utsfiles/documents/strategic-initiatives/fast-facts-2016/fast-facts-2016-06-15.pdf |title=2016 Fast Facts |website=Utsystem.edu |access-date=2016-09-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822100214/https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/utsfiles/documents/strategic-initiatives/fast-facts-2016/fast-facts-2016-06-15.pdf |archive-date=2016-08-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
It was classified in 2020 among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".<ref>{{cite web |title=Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup |url=https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=227368 |publisher=Center for Postsecondary Education |website=carnegieclassifications.iu.edu |access-date=13 September 2020}}</ref>
==History== {{See also|University of Texas–Pan American#History|University of Texas at Brownsville#History}} On December 6, 2012, the University of Texas System Board of Regents approved a proposal to merge the University of Texas–Pan American and the University of Texas at Brownsville into a new university.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kreighbaum |first=Andrew |title=UT regents approve merging RGV universities, will create medical school |url=http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/article_cec2bf8e-3fd9-11e2-8651-001a4bcf6878.html |access-date=7 December 2012 |newspaper=The Monitor |location=McAllen, Texas |date=6 December 2012}}</ref> In June 2013, the governor of Texas Rick Perry signed legislation creating the university.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=SB24 |title=Texas Legislature Online – 83(R) History for SB 24 |website=Capitol.state.tx.us |access-date=2016-09-10}}</ref> In December 2013, the UT System Board of Regents voted to name the university the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).{{cn|date=April 2024}}
The board of regents named Guy Bailey as the founding university president.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jim |last=Vertuno |title=Guy Bailey named sole finalist for president of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley |newspaper=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal |agency=Associated Press |url=http://lubbockonline.com/education/2014-04-28/guy-bailey-named-sole-finalist-president-university-texas-rio-grande-valley |date=April 28, 2014 |access-date=April 29, 2014}}</ref> Bailey appointed Havidán Rodríguez as the founding provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and Janna Arney as deputy president.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://riograndeguardian.com/bailey-names-first-part-of-his-utrgv-leadership-team/|title=Bailey names first part of his UTRGV leadership team|first=Steve|last=Taylor|date=August 27, 2014|website=Rio Grande Guardian}}</ref>
In November 2014, the UT System Board of Regents approved the "Vaqueros" as the athletic nickname for University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. They also approved the official colors of blue, green, and orange.<ref>{{cite press release |first1=Jenny |last1=LaCoste-Caputo |first2=Karen |last2=Adler |title=UT System Board of Regents approves "Vaqueros" as athletic nickname for new university |url=https://www.utsystem.edu/news/2014/11/06/ut-system-board-regents-approves-vaqueros-athletic-nickname-new-university |access-date=15 November 2014 |publisher=The University of Texas System Office of Public Affairs |location=El Paso, Texas |date=November 6, 2014}}</ref> The university opened on August 31, 2015.<ref name="Rio Grande Guardian">{{cite news |first1=Dayna |last1=Reyes |title=McRaven: UTRGV will change the fabric of the Rio Grande Valley |url=http://riograndeguardian.com/mcraven-utrgv-will-change-the-fabric-of-the-rio-grande-valley/ |date=1 September 2015 |access-date=2 September 2015 |publisher=Rio Grande Guardian}}</ref>
== Campuses == The university has two main campuses: in Brownsville, Texas at the former University of Texas at Brownsville and Edinburg, Texas at the former University of Texas–Pan American. It has research and clinical locations in McAllen, Harlingen, Rio Grande City, and on South Padre Island.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.utrgv.edu/about/locations/index.htm |title=Locations |website=UTRGV |access-date=25 April 2025}}</ref>
==Academics== ===Rankings=== {{Infobox US university ranking <!-- National rankings -->| Forbes_NU = | USNWR_NU = 213 <small>(tie)</small> | Wamo_NU = 58 | WSJ_NU = 256 <!-- Global rankings -->| ARWU_W = 801-900 | QS_W = | THE_W = 1,201-1,500 | USNWR_W = 966 <small>(tie)</small> }}
UTRGV offers 86 bachelor's, 75 master's, and 15 doctoral programs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Programs {{!}} UTRGV |url=https://www.utrgv.edu/programs/index.htm |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley |language=en}}</ref> For the academic year 2015–2016, 92.7% of enrolled students came from the Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties. The ethnic enrollment is 89.2% Hispanic (Fall 2017).<ref name=":2" />
In 2017, ''Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education'' magazine ranked UTRGV 3rd in the country in awarding bachelor's degrees to Hispanic students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/about-utrgv/news/press-releases/2017/august-30-utrgv-ranks-third-in-the-nation-in-awarding-bachelor-s-degrees-to-hispanic-students-top-10-in-other-rankings/index.htm|title=UTRGV {{!}} UTRGV ranks third in the nation in awarding bachelor's degrees to Hispanic students; top 10 in other rankings|website=www.utrgv.edu|language=en|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref>
In 2024, ''Washington Monthly'' ranked UTRGV 58th among 438 national universities in the U.S. based on UTRGV's contribution to the public good, as measured by social mobility, research, and promoting public service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 National University Rankings |url=https://washingtonmonthly.com/2024-college-guide/national/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=Washington Monthly |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Financial aid=== In 2017, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley was ranked No. 6 (out of 56 Texas universities) for lowest student loan debt in the state of Texas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/about-utrgv/news/press-releases/2017/september-21-utrgv-ranks-sixth-among-56-texas-universities-for-lowest-student-loan-debt/index.htm|title=UTRGV {{!}} UTRGV ranks sixth among 56 Texas universities for lowest student loan debt|website=www.utrgv.edu|language=en|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref>
===Colleges and schools=== Eleven colleges and schools formed the academic foundation for UTRGV, including:<ref name=colleges>{{cite web |title=Creating America's Next Great Major University |url=https://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/about-utrgv/transition-plan |website=Utrgv.edu |access-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref>
<!-- Please keep list below in alphabetical order. --> {| class="toccolours" style="margin-right:1em; font-size:90%; line-height:1.4em; width:400px; margin:10px" ! colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | '''UTRGV college/school founding''' |- | '''College/school''' || {{center|'''Year founded'''}} |- | colspan="2" | ---- |- | College of Education and P-16 Integration || {{center|2015}} |- | College of Engineering and Computer Science || {{center|2015}} |- | College of Fine Arts || {{center|2015}} |- | College of Health Affairs || {{center|2015}} |- | College of Liberal Arts || {{center|2015}} |- | College of Medicine and Health Affairs || {{center|2016}} |- | College of Sciences || {{center|2015}} |- | Graduate College || {{center|2015}} |- | Honors College || {{center|2015}} |- | Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/about-utrgv/news/press-releases/2016/may-19-utrgv-receives-largest-donation-in-rgv-higher-education-history-names-business-college-in-honor-of-robert-c-vackar/index.htm|title=UTRGV {{!}} UTRGV receives largest donation in RGV higher education history, names business college in honor of Robert C. Vackar|website=Utrgv.edu|access-date=2016-06-01}}</ref> || {{center|2015}} |- | School of Medicine || {{center|2015}} |- | University College || {{center|2015}} |}
=== Accreditation === UTRGV is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). UTRGV was placed on probation by SACS from December 2016 through December 2018, initially because of concerns surrounding the process of dissolution of the University of Texas at Brownsville, and later for review of a state audit report.<ref>{{cite news |last=Perez-Hernandez |first=Danya |url=https://apnews.com/article/university-of-texas-4ca95b864e3c4584a54913a56d9c54ce |title=UTRGV's accreditation probation lifted by board |work=Associated Press News |date=December 12, 2018 |access-date=April 25, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Perez-Hernandez |first=Danya |url=https://myrgv.com/uncategorized/2017/12/05/utrgv-kept-under-probation-by-accrediting-agency-2/ |title=UTRGV kept under probation by accrediting agency |newspaper=The Monitor |date=December 5, 2017 |access-date=April 25, 2025}}</ref>
The UTRGV School of Medicine received preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education in October 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/about-utrgv/news/press-releases/2015/october-16-lcme-grants-preliminary-accreditation-utrgv-school-of-medicine-now-accepting-applications/|title=UTRGV {{!}} LCME grants preliminary accreditation: UTRGV School of Medicine now accepting applications|website=Utrgv.edu|access-date=2016-06-01}}</ref> In May 2016, the School of Medicine received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education to offer a medical residency program in psychiatry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/about-utrgv/news/press-releases/2016/may-12-utrgv-som-receives-accreditation-for-medical-residency-program-in-psychiatry/index.htm|title=UTRGV {{!}} UTRGV SOM receives accreditation for medical residency program in psychiatry|website=Utrgv.edu|access-date=2016-06-01}}</ref>
===Proposed expansions===
On May 21, 2019, the Texas House of Representatives voted to approve legislation to create a law school at UTRGV.<ref name=Progress>{{cite news |first=David |last=Diaz |title=Public law school for Rio Grande Valley authorized by Texas House of Representatives |url=https://www.progresstimes.net/news/local-news/12888-public-law-school-for-rio-grande-valley-authorized-by-texas-house-of-representatives.html |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Progress Time |location=McAllen, Texas |date=November 10, 2019 |access-date=November 13, 2019}}</ref>
==Student life== {{Expand section |date=March 2024}} {| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;" |+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>{{cite web |title= College Scorecard: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?227368-The-University-of-Texas-Rio-Grande-Valley|website=College Scorecard |publisher=United States Department of Education |access-date=July 7, 2025 }}</ref> |- ! Race and ethnicity ! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total |- | Hispanic |align=right| {{bartable|94|%|2||background:green}} |- | International student |align=right| {{bartable|2|%|2||background:#008080}} |- | White |align=right| {{bartable|2|%|2||background:cyan}} |- | Asian |align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:orange}} |- | Black |align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:purple}} |- | Unknown |align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:grey}} |- ! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |Economic diversity |- | Low-income{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.}} |align=right| {{bartable|63|%|2||background:red}} |- | Affluent{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.}} |align=right| {{bartable|37|%|2||background:black}} |}
==Athletics== {{Main|UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros}} {{Update|section|date=November 2024}} The merged university inherited UTPA's Division I membership; most of the athletic facilities are located in Edinburg. They have membership with the Southland Conference, having left the Western Athletic Conference in 2024. Only the men's soccer and women's swimming programs still compete in the WAC.
On 1st May, the women’s tennis team won the institution's first WAC Tournament Championship en route to its first NCAA Tournament appearance.
On November 19, 2016, the UTRGV women's volleyball team defeated the Utah Valley women's volleyball team, making them the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Volleyball Champions of 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wacsports.com/custompages/stats/volleyball/2016/confstat.htm|title=2016 WAC Volleyball|website=www.wacsports.com|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref>
===Mascot=== The choice of a new university nickname was met with some contention from members of the communities of the two merged schools.<ref name=Solomon>{{cite journal |first=Dan |last=Solomon |journal=Texas Monthly |title=The Debate Over What The Mascot For The New UT-RGV Campus Is Getting Heated, Y'all |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/daily-post/debate-over-what-mascot-new-ut-rgv-campus-getting-heated-yall |location=Austin, Texas |date=September 18, 2014 |access-date=October 3, 2014}}</ref> UTPA supporters, the larger of the two merged schools, argued for keeping the UTPA nickname, Broncs, while UTB supporters wanted a nickname new to both merged schools. UTPA Alumnus Alex Del Barrio created a petition to "Say No To Vaqueros" that garnered over 11,000 signatures after the announcement was made.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chapa |first=Sergio |url=http://valleycentral.com/sports/content/opponents-of-utrgv-vaqueros-mascot-say-fight-isnt-over |title=Opponents of UTRGV Vaqueros mascot say fight isn TMt over | News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KGBT |work=KGBT |publisher=Valleycentral.com |date=2014-11-07 |access-date=2016-03-13}}</ref> Several local city councils also passed resolutions in support of one option or the other.<ref name=Solomon /> President Guy Bailey recommended a new nickname, Vaqueros, to the University of Texas System Board of Regents on November 5, 2014.<ref name=Brito>{{cite news|title=UT-RGV mascot recommended to be the Vaquero |url=http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/ut-rgv-mascot-colors-announced/article_25556888-6517-11e4-824d-0017a43b2370.html |first=Victoria |last=Brito |newspaper=The Monitor |location=McAllen, Texas |date=November 5, 2014 |access-date=November 5, 2014}}</ref> The suggestion for Vaquero was inspired by the UTPA student Studio Art projects, where the Toro and Vaquero were the most popular projects.<ref name=Perez-Hernandez>{{cite news |title=For Vaquero sculptor, UT-RGV controversy not a factor in designing new mascot |url=http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/for-vaquero-sculptor-ut-rgv-controversy-not-a-factor-in/article_8ca9d46c-6628-11e4-ac93-0017a43b2370.html |first=Danya |last=Perez-Hernandez |newspaper=The Monitor |location=McAllen, Texas |date=November 7, 2014 |access-date=November 9, 2014}}</ref>
Bailey also recommended school's athletic colors be UT System orange, green (formerly the secondary color of UTPA), and blue (formerly the secondary color of UTB).<ref name=Brito/>
The announcement to the decision generated a swift and mainly negative reaction from some UTPA supporters on social media. These supporters, displeased that the Broncs was being moved to the wayside, determined the name was culturally insensitive, racist, and sexist.<ref name=Nelsen>{{cite news |title=Critics: Vaquero mascot is 'culturally insensitive' |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/Critics-Vaquero-mascot-is-culturally-5875365.php |first=Aaron |last=Nelsen |newspaper=San Antonio Express-News |location=San Antonio, Texas |date=November 6, 2014 |access-date=November 6, 2014}}</ref><ref name=Gonzalez>{{cite news |title=New university mascot, colors fiercely debated |url=http://www.panamericanonline.com/news/utrgv-vaqueros/ |first=Susan |last=Gonzalez |newspaper=The Pan American |publisher=UTPA – Student Publications |location=Edinburg, Texas |date=November 6, 2014 |access-date=November 6, 2014}}</ref> Nevertheless, the UT System Board of Regents approved the recommendation the following day,<ref>{{cite web |title=UT System tweet |url=https://twitter.com/utsystem/status/530428906156085248 |website=Twitter |date=November 6, 2014 |access-date=November 6, 2014}}</ref> making Vaqueros the fifth NCAA Division I nickname that is a Spanish language word after the Cal State Northridge Matadors, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, San Diego Toreros, and New Mexico Lobos. Bailey considered the decision "final" following the approval by the board of regents.<ref name=Chapa>{{cite news |title=UTRGV President Guy Bailey fires back amid "Vaqueros" controversy |url=http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=1120118 |work=KGBT-TV |location=Harlingen, Texas |first=Sergio |last=Chapa |date=November 7, 2014 |access-date=November 8, 2014 }}</ref> About 500 students protested against the Vaquero mascot on the UTPA campus on 13 November 2014.<ref name=Perez-Hernandez2>{{cite news |title=Fight against vaquero not over for UTPA students |url=http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/fight-against-vaquero-not-over-for-utpa-students/article_ba96675e-6953-11e4-83b8-07ab0477588e.html |first=Danya |last=Perez-Hernandez |newspaper=The Monitor |location=McAllen, Texas |date=November 10, 2014 |access-date=November 13, 2014}}</ref> A petition calling for Bailey's immediate resignation garnered more than 700 signatures.<ref>{{cite web|last=Espinosa |first=Elizabeth |url=http://valleycentral.com/news/local/petition-demands-utrgv-president-baileys-resignation-amid-vaqueros-controversy?id=1121757 |title=Petition demands UTRGV President Bailey TMs resignation amid Vaqueros controversy | News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KGBT |work=KGBT |publisher=Valleycentral.com |date=2014-11-12 |access-date=2016-03-13}}</ref> Articles of impeachment were filed against the Student Government President Alberto Adame and Vice President Carla "Fernanda" Pena by Jonathan Lee Salinas (Senator at Large '14–'15) partly for their roles in the mascot committee, though the impeachment process was ended due to insufficient evidence. Following the protests, the UT System issued a press release supporting the "Vaquero" decision.<ref>{{cite press release |first1=Jenny |last1=LaCoste-Caputo |first2=Karen |last2=Adler |title=Statement from Chairman Paul Foster, Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Pedro Reyes |url=https://www.utsystem.edu/news/2014/11/14/statement-chairman-paul-foster-chancellor-francisco-cigarroa-and-executive-vice-chan |publisher=The University of Texas System Office of Public Affairs |date=November 14, 2014 |access-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref>
At the height of the controversy in November 2014, Texas legislator Terry Canales suggested he was considering filing a bill requiring UTRGV to abandon the Vaquero nickname.<ref name=Chapa/> Canales submitted HB901<ref>[http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/billtext/html/HB00901I.htm HB901]</ref> in January 2015.<ref name=Perez-Hernandez-2>{{cite news|title=Bill seeks election for UT-RGV nickname |url=http://www.themonitor.com/premium/bill-seeks-election-for-ut-rgv-nickname/article_5297ed18-a377-11e4-a2ad-0b519bf40ea3.html |first=Danya |last=Perez-Hernandez |newspaper=The Monitor |location=McAllen, Texas |date=January 23, 2015 |access-date=January 26, 2015}}</ref> If passed, the legislation would require UTRGV to hold a student election for the athletics nickname, with "Broncs" and "Ocelots" on the ballot.
The mascot design was revealed in February 2015.<ref name=Luca>{{cite news|title=UT-RGV releases official Vaqueros logo design |url=http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/ut-rgv-releases-official-vaqueros-logo-design/article_c4ffc6ce-ae3e-11e4-b3ea-cbab16d5da03.html |first=Greg |last=Luca |newspaper=The Monitor |location=McAllen, Texas |date=February 6, 2015 |access-date=February 6, 2015}}</ref> The logo features an orange faced rider in green on a navy blue and green horse. The logo features an outline of Texas in the negative space between the legs of the horse.<ref name=logo>{{cite news |title=University of Texas System selects UTRGV athletic logo |url=http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=1163114 |access-date=21 February 2015 |work=KGBT-TV |location=Harlingen, Texas |date=February 12, 2015}}</ref><ref name= 2Shayzz>{{cite web |title=I see you |url=https://twitter.com/2Shayzz/status/563838101336756225|website=Twitter |date=February 6, 2015 |access-date=February 6, 2015}}</ref>
In June 2019 the new design for the Vaquero mascot was revealed. The new costumed version was voted on and created by UTRGV students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utrgv.edu/newsroom/2019/06/12-bringing-pride-and-tradition-utrgv-reveals-mascot.htm|title=The Newsroom – Bringing pride and tradition: UTRGV reveals mascot|website=www.utrgv.edu|access-date=2019-06-17}}</ref>
==Notable alumni (including UTPA and UTB/TSC)== {{Unreferenced|section|date=November 2024}} * Pablo Almaguer: chair of the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors * Gloria Anzaldúa: novelist, educator, cultural theorist * Jose Luis Betancourt, Jr.: retired Rear Admiral of the United States Navy * Mike Brisky: former member of the PGA * Minerva G. Carcaño: bishop * Oscar Cásares: writer * Mire Chatman: Euro Basketball player * Kika de la Garza: former U.S. congressman * Dan Firova: former MLB baseball player and current Mexican League manager * William Garrison: retired major general of the United States Army * Apple Green: retired NBA player * Greg Guy: former NCAA basketball scoring champion * Jim Hickey: MLB pitching coach * Perry Hill: MLB assistant coach * Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa: Texas state senator * Rubén Hinojosa: U.S. congressman * Lucious Jackson: Olympic gold medalist and NBA player * Rossy Evelin Lima: poet * Eddie Lucio: Texas state senator * Glenn Martinez: dean, College of Liberal and Fine Arts, University of Texas San Antonio * Otto Moore: retired NBA player * Valente Rodriguez: actor * Marshall Rogers: former NCAA Basketball scoring champion * Rogelio Sáenz: dean, College of Public Policy, University of Texas San Antonio * Paul Michael Stoll (born 1985): American-Mexican basketball player * Fred Taylor: retired NBA player * Jim Tyrone: retired MLB player and member of UTPA College World Series team * Wayne Tyrone: retired MLB player and member of UTPA College World Series team * George Williams: retired MLB catcher * Jaime Zapata: U.S. Homeland Security special agent
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|University of Texas Rio Grande Valley}} {{Portal|Texas|Education}} * {{Official website}} * [http://www.goutrgv.com/ UTRGV Athletics website]
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