On Monday, Feb. 1, Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez (D-Bexar) filed Senate Bill 522 to officially move Sul Ross State University and its associated Rio Grande Colleges from the Texas State University System to the Texas A&M University System.

Gutierrez stated, “The negative direction of Sul Ross State University is a regional problem affecting more than a dozen West Texas counties. After speaking with the community at length and having thoroughly researched Angelo State University’s vast improvement after joining the Texas Tech University System, moving Sul Ross State University is the right decision for the institution, the students and faculty, and both Alpine and West Texas as a whole. As President of Texas A&M University, Lawrence Sullivan ‘Sul’ Ross was known for saving the college from closure and expanding campus facilities. It’s time that we bring Sul Ross State University to the larger Texas A&M University System where there is a synergy across several major areas of study including range management, veterinary science, energy, and archeology.”

Sul Ross State University and Rio Grande Colleges have experienced a long period of declining enrollment numbers, posting new lows this Fall semester. Combined enrollment totals from Sul Ross and Rio Grande campuses in 2009 was 3,063 students. In 2019, the combined headcount was 2,465 – a decline of nearly 20% in just a decade. It’s larger West Texas counterpart, Angelo State University, has seen enrollment rates skyrocket from 6,860 in 2010 to 10,568 in 2019.

Sul Ross has languished in the Texas State University System and is failing to pull its weight financially. Gutierrez aims to turn that around by joining Sul Ross State University with a university system that has a reputation for rehabilitating and improving institutions. The Texas A&M System has made successes out of universities it took over in Laredo, Corpus Christi, Canyon, and others.

Gutierrez continued, “Texas A&M has an excellent record of providing its students with a world class education whether they are in College Station or Qatar. Texas State University System is an outstanding system run by a Chancellor whom I respect very much, but my first priority must be the people of the 19th Senatorial District. I have the utmost confidence that this will give Sul Ross State University and Rio Grande Colleges the stimulus we need for these institutions to grow and prosper."

Proposal to transfer Sul Ross State University to Texas A&M system

Sul Ross State University is a staple of West Texas and the embodiment of our commitment to education for all Texans. It is named after Lawrence Sullivan “Sul” Ross, who saved Texas A&M University from financial struggles and expanded the campus as its President. It is only fitting that Sul Ross State University return to its spiritual home in the TAMU System.

Why it works

• Texas A&M has a strong chancellor system with great experience in the funding process.

• Sul Ross students will be locked in to the TAMU System for years to come.

• Recruiting and retainment becomes easier due to association with the A&M brand.

 • Sul Ross students will have access to a more robust network of resources.

Enrollment and retention rates

In 2007, Angelo State University joined the Texas Tech System. Though larger than SRSU, ASU is still a rural college in West Texas that faces many of the same challenges. Still, ASU has fared better over the past decade, growing its student base and retention rate.

Key stats

• Between Fall ‘09 and Fall ‘19 ASU increased enrollment from 6,387 to 10,586 students1 (+68.8 percent).

• In the same period, SRSU went from 2,018 students to 1,644 at the Alpine campus (-19.5 percent).

• ASU has increased their retention rate to 67 percent as of 2017, SRSU has failed to break 60 percent.

The national average is 75 percent.

• Internal numbers from Sul Ross show that freshmen applications for Fall ‘20 fell 31 percent from 2018 and 25 percent from 2019.

• SRSU transfer applications decreased 20 percent over 2018 and 19 percent from 2019.

• SRSU graduate apps declined 18% from 2018 levels and 4 percent from 2019.

• Rio Grande Colleges graduate apps dropped 17 percent from 2018 and 26 percent from 2019.

Graduation rates and endowment

Sul Ross’ 6-year full-time undergraduate matriculation levels are the 2nd worst in the state, according

to the Texas Public Higher Education Almanac

Accounting for their overall graduation rate, they are still fifth worst in the state. Over the last decade Sul Ross has only managed to increase their undergrad matriculation by five students.

Sul Ross’ endowment is $17 million, second lowest in the state and $100 million lower than any other school in the Texas State University System.

Shared goals in academia

In the Texas A&M University System there is a synergy across several major areas of study including

range management, veterinary science, energy, and archeology.

From a geographic standpoint this is a move that makes sense. A&M is no stranger to rural communities and small cities. The TAMU System thrives off of its rural enrollment and has resources in place to support West Texas.

Chief complaints such as physical distance between SRSU and RGC are more easily addressable.

Necessary amenities such as wi-fi and bookstores can be shored up easily by a robust TAMU system, with better communication between Alpine and the satellite campuses.