Texas Southern University
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Texas Southern University | |
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| Established: | 1947 |
| Type: | Public, HBCU |
| Endowment: | $6 million |
| President: | Dr. John Rudley |
| Provost: | Dr. Sunny E. Ohia |
| Staff: | 350 |
| Undergraduates: | 9,500 |
| Postgraduates: | 2,050 |
| Location: | Houston, Texas, United States |
| Campus: | Urban, 150 acres (0.61 km²) |
| Former names: | Texas State University for Negroes Houston College for Negroes |
| Colors: | Maroon and Gray |
| Nickname: | Tigers or Lady Tigers |
| Athletics: | National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision |
| Affiliations: | Southwestern Athletic Conference |
| Website: | www.tsu.edu |
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Texas Southern University is one of the largest historically black universities in the United States. Located in Houston, Texas, the university was established on March 3, 1947 by the Texas Legislature. It was initially named Texas State University for Negroes. Prior to becoming a state university, Texas Southern University was owned by the Houston Independent School District (HISD) and had been known as Houston College for Negroes.
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[edit] History
In February 1946, Heman Marion Sweatt, an African American man, applied to the University of Texas School of Law. He was denied admission because of race, and subsequently filed suit. (See Sweatt v. Painter (1950).) The state had no law school for African Americans. Instead of granting Sweatt a writ of mandamus, the Texas trial court continued the case for six months to allow the state time to create a law school for blacks.
As a result, the state founded Texas Southern University under Senate Bill 140 by the Fiftieth Texas Legislature on March 3, 1947 as a state university to be located in Houston. Originally named Texas State University for Negroes, the school was established to serve African Americans in Texas and offer them fields of study comparable to those available to white Texans. The state took over the Houston Independent School District (HISD)-run Houston College for Negroes as a basis for the new university. At the time, Houston College had one permanent building, but, more importantly, an existing faculty and students. The new university was charged with teaching "pharmacy, dentistry, arts and sciences, journalism education, literature, law, medicine, and other professional courses." The legislature stipulated that "these courses shall be equivalent to those offered at other institutions of this type supported by the State of Texas."
Given the differences in facilities and intangibles such as the distance of the new school from Austin and other law students, the Supreme Court ruled it did not satisfy "separate but equal" provisions, and that African Americans must also be admitted to the University of Texas Law School at Austin.
[edit] Campus
The university has a 150-acre (0.61 km2) campus in the middle of Houston's Third Ward, where it enrolls 9,544 students. Most students live off campus; many commute.
[edit] Residential facilities
The school has two residence halls for first-year and returning students.[1]
- Lanier West Hall, for female students
Other housing options include:
- Apartments with utilities included [2]
- University Courtyard Apartments
- Tierwester Oaks
- The Greystone Apartments (utilities not included) [3]
[edit] Postal services
United States Postal Service Texas Southern Post Office is located at 3100 Cleburne Street, 77004-4575.
[edit] Athletic Facilities
[edit] Academics
The university currently comprises ten schools and colleges: the College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences, the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, the College of Education, the College of Continuing Education, the College of Science and Technology, the Jesse H. Jones School of Business, the Graduate School, and the recently established Tavis Smiley School of Communication. The Thurgood Marshall School of Law is one of four public law schools in Texas.
[edit] Student activities
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The air is filled as our voices ring |
| Words and Music by C.A. Tolbert |
[edit] Athletics
Texas Southern University's school colors are maroon and gray and the school's mascot is the Tiger. Texas Southern sports teams participate in NCAA Division I (Championship Subdivision for football) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
Men's varsity sports include baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis, and track and field. Women's varsity sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
TSU's best known rivals are Prairie View A&M, Southern University, Jackson State University, & Grambling State University.
[edit] 2006 scandal
Former president of TSU Priscilla Slade was fired in June 2006 over allegations of financial mismanagement.[5] She and three other staff were indicted. Her colleague Quentin Wiggins was convicted and sentenced to ten-years in prison.[6]
Slade's trial resulted in a hung jury, and she faces retrial in the spring of 2008. If convicted she faces up to life imprisonment.[7]
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools placed TSU on probation for noncompliance with regulations on financial management and administration. The university says improvements have been made and expects the probation to be lifted by the end of 2008.[8]
[edit] Notable alumni
| Name | Class year | Notability | Reference |
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| Doug Delony | FOX 26 / KRIV Houston television news personality. | [9] | |
| Yolanda Adams | |||
| Michael Strahan | |||
| Kirk Whalum | |||
| William Craven |
[edit] References
- ^ "The Residence Halls". Texas Southern University. http://www.tsu.edu/student/housing/residence.asp.
- ^ "University Courtyard Apartments/ Tierwester Oaks/Richfield Manor". Texas Southern University. http://www.tsu.edu/student/housing/uc.asp.
- ^ "The Greystone Apartments". Texas Southern University. http://www.tsu.edu/student/housing/greystone.asp.
- ^ "Texas Souther University History and Alma Mater" (PDF). http://www.tsu.edu/pdffiles/athletics/mens-sports/baseball/tsu.pdf.
- ^ "TSU regents pick Rudley as new president". Houston Chronicle. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/east/news/5448172.html.
- ^ "Mistrial for former TSU president". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-10-12-1998912507_x.htm.
- ^ "Mistrial for former TSU president". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-10-12-1998912507_x.htm.
- ^ "FAQ Regarding the Status of TSU" (PDF). Texas Southern University. http://www.tsu.edu/about/sacs/faq.pdf.
- ^ "Doug 'My Tech Guy' Delony". http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/about_us/Doug_My_Tech_Guy_Delony.
[edit] External links
- AACSB Accreditation Web Site
- Texas Southern University
- Texas Southern University Athletics
- Texas Southern University from the Handbook of Texas Online
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Coordinates: 29°43′20″N 95°21′38″W / 29.722179°N 95.360534°W
